Westside Circus Board

Westside Circus is governed by a Board of Management.

Our current Board Members are:

Jack Haber: Chair (Served since 2002)

Jack joined Westside after completing the Williamson Community Leadership Program. He is Managing Director of Erison a property development consultancy and Executive Chairman of Tecbeam Australasia, a building products manufacturing business. He is an architect and land economist with over 25 years commercial experience. He has experience across a broad range of industries including, entertainment and venue management, software marketing and architecture. In his youth, Jack was a musician with the New Circus in Adelaide.

Michael O’Neill: Treasurer (Served since May 2008)

Michael has a career in financial services spanning 20 years. Michael is currently General Manager Finance for the Retail Banking Division of National Australia Bank. Michael joined NAB in 1999 following previous roles with KMPG and ANZ where he specialised in treasury and financial risk management.

Nell White: (Served since May 2008)

Nell is a documentary producer, working in both film and new media. She has a background in project management across a variety of sectors as well as strategic planning and policy analysis for government.

Lena Cirillo: Executive Director/ CEO Westside Circus (Served since July 2010)

Lena is a dynamic leader who has led the culture of focussed, productive and creative arts organisations over the past fifteen years.  Lena is a Williamson Fellow with Leadership Victoria and has been on a number of Boards including the Cultural Arts Advisory Board for the City of Melbourne, the Midsumma Festival Board and is the current Chair of Melbourne Workers Theatre. Lena has been the CEO of organisations such as Arts Project Australia, Polyglot Theatre and the 2003 Lygon Street Festa and was the Vic/Tas State Manager for fundraising and development for Make-A-Wish Australia.

Meme McDonald: (Served since January 2009)

Meme has published nine books in a variety of genres including the novel - LOVE LIKE WATER. Her books have won six major literary awards including Book of the Year for THE BINNA BINNA MAN written in collaboration with Boori Pryor (Allen & Unwin 1999) at the NSW Premier’s Literary Awards 2000. Meme began her career as a theatre director and was a founding member of WEST Theatre Company. She has directed epic outdoor events nationally and internationally and is currently Artistic Director of an arts project called Connecting Identities at the City of Greater Geelong.

Murray Hyde: (Served since November 2008)

Murray is a seasoned sales & marketing practitioner who's skills include team leadership, business development, marketing communications, brand, strategy, client relationship and people management, understanding retail and wholesale operations, product development, manufacturing process and supply chain, industry insight and engagement, idea generation, cultural awareness and a suite of creative capabilities. Murray is the Business Director of Innovation.

Brind Zichy-Woinarski Q.C. (Zich) (Served since January 2009)

Zich has been a barrister since 1970 and was appointed a Q.C. in 1987. Zich has been involved in youth organisations since the 1970s. As a barrister Zich sees how intervention and support can assist young people, especially those who come from deprived socio-economic backgrounds, and giving them access to engaging activities was an important part of assisting them.

Andrew Silcox (Served since February 2009)

Andrew's role as General Manager of the award-winning agency BlueFrog Marketing draws on over 15 years experience in marketing. Andrew's background covers most disciplines in the marketing and communications fields, including roles in advertising, public relations, events and strategic marketing. He has qualifications in economics, business and marketing and is also a non-executive Director of the Australian Marketing Institute.