Pauline Brooks OAM

Music and theatre have played a vital and integral role throughout Pauline’s life. Pauline studied singing at the Elder Conservatorium and was closely involved in working with the State Opera of South Australia during the Wagner Ring Cycle.  She is currently a Member of the Board of the State Opera of South Australia and on the Committee of the Friends of the State Opera.

Throughout her career Pauline has worked nationally and internationally for governments, corporate and community organizations to help people maximize their potential through her motivational presentations and health education programs. In 1995 Pauline received the Medal of the Order of Australia for her contribution to the health and fitness of the community and in 2003 received the Centenary Medal for her services to older people.

Pauline’s commitment to Various People Inc has been inspired by the desire to support the work of Richard Chew and Cheryl Pickering: ‘two visionary beings of extraordinary talent and ability, whose creativity and compassion combine to enable us to hear and share the music at the heart of our common humanity.’

Karen Davies

Karen's work is in constant celebration of human creativity. She's passionately promoted all that clever minds create for more than 20 years. Working in a variety of Australian cities marketing a variety of industries including fashion, travel & automotive, Karen enjoys connecting people through their ideas to create powerful outcomes.

In Various People Inc, Karen aims to support an incredibly talented creative team by inspiring opportunities for the promulgation of much-needed beauty and cleverness in our world.

Karen also works on the board of the Perth Fashion Festival directing concept & strategy, where exciting ideas are constantly developed to help Western Australia and its burgeoning fashion industry keep moving forward.

Karen lives in the Adelaide Hills with her husband, two children, three alpacas, flock of assorted chickens, rabbits and the official Australian First Dog, a cavoodle. If her husband hadn't learnt to keep close watch, there would also be geese, ducks, sheep, probably a peacock, a miniature donkey, and a horse or two. There's always tomorrow.

Alison O’Connell

Ali is a production manager, stage manager, handbell musician and teacher.

Ali has worked extensively as a stage manager and production manager in the Adelaide arts industry on such events as the Adelaide Festival of Arts, Adelaide Cabaret Festival, OzAsia Festival and Womadelaide. She has also worked with the Adelaide Festival Centre, Adelaide Symphony Orchestra, State Opera Company of SA, and on several major musicals. She is currently the operations manager at the Australian String Quartet.

Ali is a leading handbell performer, establishing Synergy Handbell Ensemble in 2007, and teaching handbells in schools. She is also the SA representative of the Handbell Society of Australasia committee and is passionate about excellence in music performance and education.

Peter Tonkin

Peter Tonkin completed a Bachelor of Laws in 1982 and accidentally commenced what has become a 27 year career in the law. He began as a Supreme Court Judge’s Associate, moved into commercial litigation In London and then Adelaide and is currently a Managing Solicitor in the Native Title Section of the Crown Solicitor’s Office. He is currently responsible for South Australia’s response to native title claims brought in the Federal Court and attempting to keep the Court at bay to allow sufficient time for the negotiation of long-lasting settlements with native title claimants.

Peter could very easily have been diverted towards arts administration – He was applying to enrol in the arts administration course at the then South Australian Institute of Technology on the day he was offered his first legal position. He has sung in the Corinthian Singers and the State Opera chorus and, recently, in the Fabrica Singers in Vesalius: a Requiem. A subscriber to State Theatre and Australian Chamber Orchestra, Peter is married to Adelaide soprano, Rosalind Martin.