Over the twenty years, Melissa has gained extensive knowledge of governmental, education, business and community policies, procedures and networks including legislative frameworks and compliance.  Melissa understands how to apply governance and transparency, particularly in the area of event management and community engagement. Partnerships where stakeholders and community are valued and individuals are nurtured has been Melissa’s forte. 

A community cultural development practitioner, Melissa has an approach to community engagement that relies on relationship building, networks, skill development and facilitation of people's aspirations.

As a Festivals Practitioner Melissa has worked in the national context and regularly attends Woodford Folk Festival, WOMADelade, Adelaide and Melbourne Festivals, the Australia Performing Arts Market, Port Fairy Folk Festival and thousands of community based events. 

Melissa has worked with the Cairns Buskers Festival as their Social Media Coordinator, Public Relations and Grant Writer.  In 2011 managing the remote, regional event Laura Dance Festival, Melissa was the Site Manager and supervised 4,000 people on site and all logistics associated.  As a Consultant Melissa continuously trains, mentors and supports event managers and their committees throughout regional Queensland.

Melissa has a demonstrated knowledge of arts and culture in contemporary Australian community setting.  She has just completed four years working on an Action Research project called FESTLINX, developing online resources and networks, training and facilitating Festival Forums.  Through her deep understanding and active experience in community cultural development practice and managing many projects and Festivals and has;

• a commitment to diverse cultural practices and protocols,
• skills in facilitating community consultation and participatory expression,
• the ability to undertake collaborative project design with all levels of stake holders,
• a broad network with connections to grass roots community through to politicians,
•  access to skills and resources.

For more information see Associations at http://www.savvyarts.com.au/