At our recent Annual General Meeting, we were delighted to present Gabrielle Sullivan with an Honorary Life Membership to Ausdance WA, in recognition of her profound impact on the organisation and the WA dance community.
The following is an excerpt of the presentation from Ausdance WA Executive Director, Amy Wiseman, highlighting Gab’s achievements during her tenure as Director for Ausdance WA:
Gabrielle Sullivan commenced her role of Director for Ausdance WA in September 2015 (her second time with the organisation across her extensive career as an arts manager), joining the organisation at a challenging time. Ausdance WA had secured a three-year funding agreement with the Department of Culture and the Arts through the Organisation Investment Program, however the agreement dictated that Ausdance needed to develop a business model that was less reliant on government funding or be further at risk in future years.
While the organisation had delivered many successful initiatives – including regional project Future Landings, Act-Belong-Commit Dance 100 participation programs and education professional development workshops – the challenge to secure ongoing funding continued. Gab worked hard to deliver on existing commitments throughout this period while constantly looking to create future opportunities.
Gabrielle’s commitment to the organisation saw her develop the LifeLong Dance proposal, designed to reposition and amplify key projects the organisation was already delivering, while diversifying income and funding opportunities. Supported by the board, Gab’s tireless effort to secure funding was targeted, well-researched and gallant, but sadly was not supported.
The organisation operated on reserves in 2019, and in March 2020, the decision was made to temporarily close the office. Over the next 4 years, and amid the COVID-19 crisis, Gab continued to apply for project grants, deliver small initiatives such as Dance in Country Week, communicate regularly with the national Ausdance network to advocate on key national issues at a state level, and maintain relationships with major stakeholders and local dance community alike, all on a volunteer basis. Her resilience and ingenuity were integral to the survival of the organisation.
Gab’s vision and perseverance to secure funding for Ausdance WA through a WA dance sector consultation project, saw her apply not once, not twice but three times, until – finally with a win – she was able to secure a future for the organisation in late 2023.
Her dedication, integrity and collaborative approach are iconic Gab. A loyal advocate for the dance sector for decades across all ages, and at all levels, Gabrielle is so deserving of this acknowledgement.
Honorary Life Member Gabrielle Sullivan with Ausdance WA Executive Director, Amy Wiseman.
Snippets of some of the many testimonials shared of Gab’s work…
“For my two cents, working under Gab as Projects Manager from 2015-2018, and again handing over in 2024, I was so appreciative of her management style and capacity as a mentor. She meets you precisely where you are, values what you bring and trusts you to get on with it. She leads with wisdom and humour, and encourages you to go beyond your own expectations. I am regularly reminded of the legacy she leaves, emphasised by her tireless work ethic, fabulous relationship building and thrifty management. Congratulations on this recognition, Gab… just when you thought you’d finally hung up your Ausdance hat… here we are – inducting you as an Honorary Life Member!
– Amy Wiseman | Executive Director, Ausdance WA
“Working with Gab over the past five years across both Seesaw Magazine and Ausdance has been an absolute pleasure. Gab is a true professional, a passionate advocate for the arts, and someone who deeply values the people she engages with. Her powers of persuasion are like red velvet—smooth, compelling, and impossible to ignore—perfectly matched by her iconic red lippy!
Congratulations, Gab, on your Life Membership to Ausdance—what a fitting honour!”
– Amanda Scoble | Finance Manager, Ausdance WA
“I have known Gab for most of her professional career, and it’s been my privilege to have worked with her through many dance advocacy campaigns, and shared some of the ups and downs of special moments in her outstanding career as a dance advocate, administrator and writer. She has been a major contributor to the development of dance in WA.
Gab’s vast knowledge of the sector, the respect with which she is held by artists and colleagues, and her legendary commitment to finding a way through myriad political barriers often made advocacy look easy. This Honorary Life Membership of Ausdance WA acknowledges not only those successes, but also those other dedicated moments in between! Congratulations Gab, and thank you for decades of friendship.”
– Julie Dyson AM | Board Director, Ausdance National
