BOARD MEMBERS
CHRISTIE SWEETING – Chair
Christie has lived and worked in Lutruwita/Tasmania most of her life, contributing to the community and supporting business development through her knowledge and local connections. With experience in fine art, design, events, and festivals – as both a practitioner and administrator focused on marketing and branding – she currently works in the public sector and has served in agencies such as Tourism Tasmania. In her free time, she enjoys Tasmania’s offerings and is studying Creative Arts and Health, and Wellbeing at the University of Tasmania, building on her Bachelor of Fine Art.
PATRICK KELLY – Treasurer
Patrick has 30 years of experience across Australia’s public and private sectors as a commercial accountant and policy analyst. His career spans industries from arts and tourism to media, conferencing, and public policy. Patrick holds a Bachelor of Commerce, CPA accreditation, and a Graduate Diploma in Corporate Governance.
Most notably, Patrick served as CFO, Co-CEO and then CEO of MONA (Museum of Old and New Art), over a 15-year tenure.
Patrick—now a proud Tasmanian after moving here in 2008—has contributed to several local organisations, including the Tourism Industry Council of Tasmania. He currently serves on the board of the Tasmanian-based educational charity Material Institute Ltd, and is a member of the Tasmanian Land Conservancy’s Risk & Audit Committee.
His interests include paddling & rafting, music and the arts, hiking and bushwalking, and he’s a tragic Sydney Swans supporter!
FIONA PRINGLE-JONES – Secretary
Fiona is a private practice Lawyer in Hobart with a long connection to the arts in Tasmania, as both a participant and consumer. She is also a Director on the Board of Palliative Care Tasmania.
DAVID WISE – Business Communications
David brings close to three decades of experience in the forestry industry, having grown some of the most successful, innovative businesses in the country’s sector. If he isn’t at SFM, David is looking to the next innovative venture that will ultimately move and shake the industry. He co-developed the innovative underwater timber harvesting operation, Hydrowood – the first in the southern hemisphere. Hydrowood’s inception and success story are founded largely on his keen, entrepreneurial eye, business acumen and tenacity to bring to life what others deem impossible. David Holds an Advanced Diploma of Applied Science (Agriculture), Bachelor of
Economics and a Diploma of Aviation.
ANGELIQUE BRCIC – Partnerships
Angelique Brcic (Echo Festivals’ new ‘other Ange’) brings experience in tourism, hospitality and the arts. As the previous Head of Partnerships & Experiences at Mona, Ange led the development of high-value partnerships with government, corporations and community groups. In her current role, leading the Strategic Program with Port Arthur Historic Site Management Authority, Ange brings a wealth of knowledge across the Tasmanian cultural landscape.
Ange also serves as Chair of Cultural Attractions of Australia, providing strategic oversight, governance and advocacy for a national collective of leading cultural institutions in partnership with Tourism Australia. Her earlier career includes senior roles with Tourism Tasmania, MACq01 Hotel and exploring the globe on superyachts.
ANGE BOXALL – Creative Producer / Programmer
Tasmanian-born Ange is a performing songwriter and recording artist (AUS, USA, EU) and is the Founder and Creative Producer of ECHO Festival. Her dedication to social equality and equal opportunity is deeply embedded in both her personal and professional life.
Previous roles include Creative Producer at Spring Bay Mill from 2019-2022, and Creative Producer/Programmer of Festival of Voices ‘FoV Coastal’ from 2014-2020.
Ange spent more than a decade based in London, and for the last five years divided her time between London and Nashville, making both cities her home. She is the Co-founder/owner of Tasmanian distillery, The Splendid Gin and was a Director on the Board of East Coast Tasmania Tourism between 2019 – 2023 and Music Tasmania. Ange holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts.
First Nations Advisor:
TRISH HODGE – Nita Education
Trish Hodge is a proud palawa (Tasmanian Aboriginal) woman from the
trawlwoolway people in the North-East of Lutruwita/Tasmania. She is co-founder/manager of Nita Education which provides Tasmanian Aboriginal cultural
experiences to schools and businesses across Tasmania.
Trish has been gathering, compiling and recording our traditional uses for native
plants in Lutruwita for over 25 years and has created her own book titles, ‘Palawa tunapri – Knowledge of Our Ancestors’. She wants to make sure that the palawa community, now and for the future, have access to the information as it is their knowledge.
Trish has worked with ECHO since 2019 and is the ECHO Boards’ First National
Cultural Advisor.
