Behind every unforgettable NAFA moment is a passionate team of creatives, producers and problem-solvers who bring the festival to life each year. Our small but mighty team works year-round to create a festival that reflects the energy, diversity and creativity of North Queensland. Get to know the people who make NAFA happen.
BOARD MEMBERS
Prof. Judith McLean
(Co-Chair)
Professor Judith McLean is an experienced arts executive whose career has been defined by strategic leadership, organisational transformation and long-term sector impact. Over more than 30 years, she has held senior roles across the performing arts, guiding companies through periods of artistic expansion, capital development and national and international engagement. Her leadership approach combines strong governance, financial acuity and a clear focus on artistic integrity.
With a doctorate and a deep understanding of cultural policy, Judith brings both intellectual rigour and practical experience to her work. She is widely respected for building resilient organisations, fostering partnerships across government and industry, and supporting artists to create work of significance and ambition. Her contribution to the Australian arts landscape reflects a sustained commitment to excellence, sustainability and the future of the sector.
Merissa Martinez
(Co-Chair)
Merissa Martinez (Co-Chair) is a barrister based in Townsville, Australia. She is a James Cook University (JCU) graduate, worked at GBRMPA and the AAT, before becoming a partner in a City and International law firm in London.
Merissa chose Townsville over London in 2013, regularly presents at conferences, universities, panels and discussions and holds legal representative roles at the State and National levels.
She is also a co-founder and Chair of Provenir, an agri-tech start-up which has innovated the red meat industry by offering the highest animal welfare proposition through a mobile abattoir and world-leading digital traceability.
She is the beneficiary of a NQ upbringing steeped in natural beauty, arts and culture, and a dozen years of cultural experience in Europe including as an amateur Shakespearean actor. Merissa is a passionate promoter of regional excellence and innovation and North Queensland in particular. She specialises in governance, process, law and stakeholder relationships.
Julie Englefield
Julie Englefield has spent more than 30 years in senior arts leadership roles in Sydney, Singapore and Brisbane, currently serving as Executive Director of Ausdance QLD. She has worked in both the commercial and non-profit sector with a focus on governance and strategic management.
She has worked across all arts disciplines, including interdisciplinary; music, theatre, visual arts and dance as well as some years managing the development and fundraising for a national children’s charity. In each of her positions,
Julie has achieved significant growth and long term sustainability for her organisations. Personally, Julie is strongly connected to Townsville and a regular visitor with her husband, Andrew Hooper-Nguyen developing Flinders Street Wharves (the old Bullys) and the former Westpac bank at 108 Flinders St.
She specialises in governance, operational management, development and fundraising.
Julie has taken temporary leave of absence from the Board to undertake operational work for the festival.
Prof. Wesley Enoch AM
Professor Wesley Enoch AM is a leading Australian playwright and director whose work has shaped contemporary theatre for more than three decades. A proud Quandamooka man from Minjerribah, he has led some of the country’s most significant cultural institutions, including serving as Artistic Director of the Queensland Theatre and Sydney Festival. He is the Chair of Creative Australia, Deputy-chair of Annamila First Nations Foundation, and Deputy Vice Chancellor Indigenous Australians at QUT.
Renowned for bold storytelling and a deep commitment to First Nations voices, Professor Enoch’s career spans acclaimed stage productions, opera, festivals and major civic events, with a practice grounded in truth-telling, cultural leadership and artistic excellence.
Ashley Saltner Jnr
Ashley Saltner Jnr is a Wulgurukaba Traditional Custodian of Gurambilbarra-Townsville and Yunbenun-Magnetic Island, with family and cultural connections to Warrgamay, Girramay, Jirrbal, Wakaman, Wuli Wuli, Djaku-nde & Jangerie Jangerie, Ghungalu and Bidjara peoples. He is the Director and Cultural Director of Wulgurukaba Walkabouts, building on its family and community foundations to lead cultural engagement, protocol guidance, and community-based cultural work across education, arts, tourism, and public events.
Ashley brings extensive experience supporting organisations to work respectfully on Country and contributes leadership grounded in obligations to culture, community, and future generations.
He played a key role in the development of DUNGARRI NYA NYA NGARRI BI NYA, a cross-cultural performance project that received the 2022 Performing Arts Connections Australia Impact Award, bringing together First Nations communities and arts organisations including Dancenorth.
As a board member of the North Australian Festival of Arts, Ashley contributes cultural insight, community perspective, and governance grounded in lived obligations to place and people.
Johnathon Coco
Johnathon Coco is an accountant with over 10 years of experience in taxation, accounting and advisory matters in Townsville and the North Queensland region.
Johnathon has a strong focus on helping clients achieve their business goals and a establishing a business relationship. He has assisted clients in many industries, predominantly in agriculture, professional services and building and construction.
Johnathon being a performer with local theatre companies, is very passionate to help grow the arts scene in Townsville and North Queensland. He specialises in finance, risk and financial strategy.
DEBBIE RAINS
Debbie Rains is the owner and manager of Gallivanter Travel, a regional travel agency group with locations in Townsville, Mackay, and Rockhampton. With over 37 years of experience in business, Debbie has demonstrated adaptability and strategic vision, successfully evolving her enterprise to remain relevant in a dynamic industry.
A strong advocate for community engagement, Debbie has held numerous leadership roles on not-for-profit boards and committees. She is currently a Foundation Member of the Townsville Business Women’s Circle and a board member of Food Relief NQ.
Her previous governance roles include President of the Townsville Chamber of Commerce, Trustee of Townsville Grammar School, Board Member of Dancenorth, President of the Townsville Business Women’s Network, and Member of the Reconstruction Advisory Board for Townsville’s post-flood recovery.
Additionally, she has contributed to economic development initiatives as part of the PNG and Singapore Economic Development Committee and the Townsville Port Authority.
FESTIVAL TEAM
Kyle Page
Artistic Director
Kyle Page is a choreographer, director and curator whose work spans major festivals, regional communities and international stages. Together with his partner Amber Haines, he has co-directed acclaimed projects for Dancenorth Australia including Wayfinder, RED, Dust, NOISE, Syncing Feeling, Spectra and Rainbow Vomit. Their work has been presented at every major Australian arts festival and toured extensively across the globe.
Appointed NAFA’s inaugural Artistic Director in 2025, Kyle leads the festival with an ambitious, place-based vision — creating large-scale creative experiences that resonate deeply, linger in memory, and invite audiences to meet one another and the world anew. His leadership has been recognised through numerous fellowships, residencies and awards, including the Sidney Myer Fellowship, Asialink and the Arctic Circle Residency.
ToniLee Luck
Marketing and Development Director
With over 17 years in events and marketing, ToniLee Luck leads NAFA’s audience, brand, and revenue strategy as Marketing and Development Director. She brings extensive experience across travel, entertainment, and cultural sectors, including roles at Flight Centre New Zealand, Townsville Enterprise, The Ville Resort-Casino, Dynamic, and Endemol Shine.
Since joining NAFA in 2021, ToniLee has driven the festival’s marketing, communications, ticketing, sponsorship, and grant strategies, shaping a bold, coherent brand and expanding audiences across North Queensland. She is passionate about bringing arts opportunities and experiences to regional Queensland, while building Townsville’s profile as a powerhouse hub for arts and culture.
Anamari Goicoechea
Creative Director
Festival producer, logistics wrangler and trained clown, Anamari Goicoechea is the Creative Director of the North Australian Festival of Arts (NAFA), where she works across artist experience, programming development and festival production. Since joining the festival in 2022, she has helped shape NAFA into a growing cultural event for North Queensland.
Her career spans festivals, theatre and large-scale events across Australia and internationally. She has worked with festivals including Darwin Festival, Sydney Festival, Brisbane Festival, Sydney Fringe Festival and Melbourne International Comedy Festival, and internationally as Festival Producer for Charm City Fringe in Baltimore and working on major events in Saudi Arabia.
Her production work also includes major stage productions such as La Traviata and West Side Story at Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour, as well as television productions including The Amazing Race Australia, Australian Survivor and My Kitchen Rules. With a background in circus, cabaret and clown training in Paris, she brings an artist-focused approach to festival making.
Kathryn Deyell
Senior Executive Advisor
TBA
Christine Kellie
Marketing and Development Manager
Christine Kellie is the Marketing and Development Manager at the North Australian Festival of Arts. With over a decade of experience across marketing, communications, design and events, she specialises in creative storytelling and audience engagement that help grow vibrant cultural programs and connect communities with the arts.
Christine has previously worked in communications and marketing in the public sector, delivering campaigns that supported major events and community initiatives. She holds a Bachelor of New Media Arts from James Cook University and is passionate about elevating regional arts and creating meaningful cultural experiences that bring people together.
Sam Ferguson
Administration and Volunteer Manager
Sam Ferguson is NAFA’s Administration and Volunteer Manager. A graduate of the Masters of Screenwriting at the Victorian College of the Arts, she brings experience from a diverse creative background of independent filmmaking, visual merchandising and team management.
After 4 years as a visual merchandiser in Melbourne executing large scale projects including in-store creative activations and celebrity meet and greet events, Sam joined the NAFA team in 2025 and is passionate about strengthening the presence of the arts in North Queensland.