Meet the FUSE Team
NARETHA WILLIAMS
Festivals & Events Coordinator
I am an established artist and professional producer with over 20 years experience in the Australian Creative Industries sector, working across music and audio practice, dance, theatre, visual arts, installations, public arts, experimental and interdisciplinary arts, video works and live performance.
I am a Wiradjuri, First Nations creative and am deeply connected to Darebin, having lived in Reservoir for 8 years. I am community focused, passionate about the arts and a strong advocate for its capacity for collective cultural change. I am also an enthusiastic tech who equally enjoys the satisfaction of a well rolled cable or nicely balanced stage mix.
I am the current Co-Chair of Liquid Architecture and run the Groundstar Music record label in the background with releases set for 2023. My management experience in creative project delivery is extensive and ranges from staging underground independent presentations through to large scale festival programs. I have worked with leading Australian companies and First Nations initiatives, flagship festivals and events, have toured internationally and won several awards. My credits include: St Kilda Festival, Bless Your Blak Arts Festival, Australasian World Music Expo, International Symposium on Electronic Art, Yirramboi First Nations Arts Festival, Science Gallery London, Chunky Move, Montsalvat, Performance Space New York, The Melba Spiegeltent, Melbourne Town Hall Grand Organ, Sydney Myer Music Bowl, Sydney Dance Company and Melbourne’s Flash Forward.
BRONWYN RYAN-MERCER
Senior Producer
I am an experienced multi-arts producer, and programmer. I feel privileged to create and program for our community, a community that I grew up in and love, and get to work with Darebin’s incredible artists and diverse community. I have been fortunate to work at the City of Preston and Darebin for most of my career, in several distinct roles, including Program Coordinator at Merrilands Community Centre, in Customer Engagement, Communications, Civic Events and Special Projects, including working on the iconic Preston ICAN Mural and now in Festival & Events team, all roles community focused. I have also spent time in retail, accounting and worked in Education as a sessional Tutor at Kangan Batman Tafe.
Darebin is a wonderful place to work. At FUSE, I work with internal and external partners to support the delivery of our festival. I love being part of a dedicated team working under a collaborative framework, while championing contemporary multi-arts, local artists, and community participation.
Part of my role is managing the Darebin Community Awards, which celebrates local heroes. I am always looking to promote the awards every chance I get, so please consider nominating someone today!
I also feel privileged be a founding member of FUSE.
Outside of work, you will catch me reading, gardening, re visiting my passion for painting, family history, visiting an art gallery, or going to a show, there’s never enough time.
Feel free to say hello!
MAT WATSON
Senior Producer
I am a Darebin based artist with extensive experience in the arts and music sector. My ongoing solo and collaborative practice as a drummer and electronic music creator has taken me all over Australia, to Japan and the USA.
I have a long list of collaborators and solo projects, and love spending time helping others realise their creative vision. My passion for modular synthesisers and experimental sounds keeps me endlessly inspired but my interests are broad ranging.
I am passionate about supporting our emerging and established artists by helping to create opportunities, new community connections and beautiful experiences. I feel extremely excited to be joining the Fuse Darebin team to work for one of the great artistic communities of the world.
Photo credit: Nathan Goldsworthy
GLENN DULIHANTY
Production Manager
With over 20 years in the live entertainment industry, I've worked across the world from Norway to New York and Edinburgh to Hong Kong. I’ve worked in everything from dance, to theatre, to music festivals and events. I even ran away with the circus in the south of England, and I’ve sailed cruise ships in the Caribbean. Now, I enjoy a quiet life making furniture on the weekends and spending time with my best friends Chester (Staffy) and Cashew (Chihuahua).
As a resident of Darebin, I value FUSE’s focus on community inclusion and spirit. It’s a smorgasbord of local talent, art and conversation. Darebin Council is a progressive, inclusive, arts and community focused organisation, and you can see the real impact it makes.
BEATRIX ANNE MACINTYRE
Festival Engagement Officer
I am pleased to introduce myself as the Festival Engagement Officer for FUSE Festival. I have over a decade of experience in program planning and audience engagement, working with large cultural institutions such as the National Gallery of Victoria and Art Centre Victoria as well as projects like Channels Festival and art therapy-based programming projects.
Born in London and having grown up in Hong Kong, I now reside in the Brunswick and have a strong connection to Melbourne's northside local art communities. I am an ardent enthusiast of the visual arts, with a passion for installations, heritage spaces and immersive experiences. I also have a deep appreciation for the energy and spirit of live gigs and multiday festivals, having worked with festival teams in Australia as well as overseas to support unique, creative projects.
In addition to my expertise in communications, program planning and audience engagement, I have a strong background in logistics and event coordination. Previous roles have allowed me to work with an amazing array of Melbourne’s iconic venues include Abbotsford Convent and Tennis Australia.
I firmly believe in the power of art to bridge communities and transcend boundaries. My goal is to support a festival program that not only showcases exceptional local talent but also celebrates the rich diversity of Darebin's artistic landscape.
Luke Ketchell
Associate Producer
Darebin is where I call home and play. With over 10 years as a performing and recording hip hop artist, I've always been captivated by live performances. My curiosity has driven me to explore all areas of the arts, from being a Light & Sound Technician and Videographer to a Drone pilot. My journey in events has now brought me to the role of Associate Producer.
As a Torres Strait Islander, I see the importance of community and cultural collaboration. I am passionate about delivering events that everyone in our community can enjoy. In my down time I make contemporary hip hop music and practice my culture making Kulaps. A traditional Torres Strait Islander percussion instrument. I have two special needs cats, Maurice and Snowy. My hip-hop music has taken me across Australia and Aotearoa, allowing me to share my culture and passion.
I'm deeply interested in understanding artists and their creative processes. I believe that by being a part of their journey, we can appreciate their art on a deeper level. The most fulfilling and fun aspect of my role is collaborating with a talented creative team dedicated to serving our community through the arts. All while building strong relationships and helping artists of all kinds gain visibility.
Aram Khalkhali
Festival Support Officer
I am a passionate migrant artist with extensive experience in the international arts scene. Before moving to Australia, I participated as a performer, choreographer, and arts programmer at various festivals around the world, including in Russia, Spain, Dubai, Qatar, Italy, and France. In 2016, I was honoured to be the first lady artist at the Montignac Festival in France.
After arriving in Australia, I continued my journey in the arts by pursuing a second master’s degree in arts and Cultural Management from Melbourne University. I also engaged with Multicultural Arts Victoria, contributing to multiple performances. My artistic work includes choreography and performance in whirling and miniature dance, and in my free time, I enjoy freelance photography and playing the tar, a classical Persian instrument.
Since 2021, I have been working with Darebin Council as a Festival Support Officer. My roles started as Venue Support Officer and Arts Officer at the Darebin Intercultural Centre, where I helped organize the Darebin Intercultural Centre Open Day 2023. Working with the FUSE team has enriched my understanding of Australia's dynamic arts landscape.
ANDY ALLARDICE
Festival Support Officer
My life has always been in the arts in one form or another.
From starting my first band in High School, to landing my role as Festival Support for Fuse.
In between that, I’ve spent my years printing and publishing in the graphic arts industry and meeting the world’s most interesting characters whilst performing as a guitarist in many bars, clubs and cafes across Melbourne and Edinburgh. Creating and performing music is where I feel most at home.
Acting in my role as Festival Support for the FUSE has allowed me to be a part of a creative team who champion local artists to add their craft to my local community. As a resident of Darebin, I’ve always loved inviting friends and family to enjoy our many events, and now I get to be a part of making that happen.
Travelling throughout South America, South East Asia and Europe gave me a passion for learning about different cultures, music and of course food! I love that celebrating diversity is at the core of FUSE.
In my downtime, if I’m not listening to live music, you can find me outdoors.
I’m an avid cyclist and am always looking for a great place to camp and throw a frisbee.
