Arts Hall of Fame Inductees

Ron Bradfield Jnr is a highly respected Bard and Jawi man, artist, storyteller, and cultural facilitator whose work has made a lasting impact on the Western Australian arts community. A long-time resident of Coolbellup, Ron is a passionate community builder, advocate for cultural exchange, and mentor to emerging Indigenous artists. His deep commitment to fostering understanding between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians lies at the heart of his multifaceted practice.

Through his initiative Yarns R Us, Ron has engaged countless individuals in powerful conversations around identity, place, and culture. As a master storyteller, he creates inclusive spaces where shared stories lead to greater empathy and understanding. His mentorship has empowered numerous regional, remote, and metropolitan artists-especially emerging Aboriginal creatives - to find their voice and share their practice.

Ron’s artistic and cultural contributions span storytelling events, visual art, and innovative workshops that challenge conventional narratives. Notable collaborations and presentations include:

Art Gallery of Western Australia (AGWA): Ron has led significant workshops such as Let’s Not Make Aboriginal Art, which encourages critical reflection on how Indigenous art is framed and understood. He also delivers a Mark-making Student Workshop exploring identity and place through art, underscoring his commitment to youth engagement.
Festival of Veterans Arts (FOVA25): His work featured in the Home Front Exhibition addressed the complex issue of family and domestic violence within the Australian Defence Force community, offering narratives often left unspoken.
State Library of Western Australia: During NAIDOC Week, Ron hosted Sharing Yarns with Uncle Ron Bradfield Jr, highlighting the importance of storytelling in building community connections.
SICK AF (Sick Artists Foundation): His 2019 piece In Plain Sight explored personal and societal challenges through visual narrative.
CAST Research Group, RMIT School of Art: Ron presented the artist talk So, you think you know me?, reflecting on identity, storytelling, and lived experience.

In addition to these platforms, Ron is a champion storyteller at The Centre for Stories and continues to lead meaningful dialogue across diverse communities. As a cultural educator and visual artist, Ron Bradfield Jnr consistently challenges perceptions, expands cultural discourse, and advocates for the inclusion of Indigenous perspectives in contemporary Australian arts.

Dave Brewer is a highly respected guitarist, vocalist, and songwriter whose three-decade career has left an indelible mark on the Australian music scene. Renowned for his mastery across genres including jazz, soul, blues, funk, and world music, Dave has been a driving force in some of the country’s most influential bands. His work with The Elks, The Dynamic Hepnotics, The Mighty Reapers, and The Catholics helped shape the sound of contemporary Australian music and earned him recognition as a key figure in its evolution.

In the early 2000s, Dave moved to Hamilton Hill in the City of Cockburn to raise his young family. Since settling in the area, he has continued to contribute significantly to both the local and national music landscapes. His enduring creativity is evident in current collaborations with artists such as Natalie Gillespie, Lucky Oceans, and The DooDaddies, as well as his ongoing performances with his own group, The Deluxe Combo. These projects reflect Brewer’s unrelenting dedication to innovation, performance, and mentorship in the music community.
His discography includes acclaimed solo albums such as Long Road Back Home and Night Walkin’, which showcase his talent as both a performer and songwriter.

Dave’s strong connection to the City of Cockburn is reflected not only in his long-term residence in Hamilton Hill but also in his active role in the local arts scene. He is a valued collaborator, performer, and advocate for community-based music. His presence has enriched the cultural identity of the area, and his leadership continues to inspire fellow musicians and audiences alike.

Alongside his music career, Dave is an accomplished visual artist, having exhibited widely in Sydney and Perth, with works held in public collections such as Artbank.

Sharyn Egan has lived in and around the City of Cockburn for most of her life, maintaining a strong and active presence in the community. Despite being removed from her family as a child and sent to New Norcia Mission, she later returned and re-established deep roots in the southern suburbs.

A prominent Nyoongar artist Sharyn's multifaceted practice encompasses painting, sculpture, and weaving drawing deeply from her lived experience as a member of the Stolen Generations. Her work is a powerful exploration of identity, trauma, resilience, and cultural connection, rooted in the landscapes of her ancestral country and shaped by her journey as a Nyoongar woman.

Beginning her art career at the age of 37, Sharyn enrolled at the Claremont School of Art before completing an associate degree in Contemporary Aboriginal Art in 2000 and a Bachelor of Arts at Curtin University in 2001. Since then, she has developed a rich and diverse body of work that spans traditional and contemporary media. Her woven forms—ranging from functional baskets to large-scale sculptural pieces—often reference flora, fauna, and totemic elements significant to Nyoongar culture. Her paintings, created using oils, ochres, resins, and natural fibres, reflect the emotional and spiritual weight of growing up in New Norcia Mission and speak to broader themes of dislocation and cultural survival.

Sharyn has been widely recognised for her artistic excellence, receiving major public art commissions across Western Australia. Her work features prominently at iconic sites such as Optus Stadium, Elizabeth Quay, Yagan Square, and the Scarborough Beach Redevelopment, embedding Aboriginal voices into the fabric of Western Australia. She is also a regular and invited exhibitor at Sculpture by the Sea in both Bondi and Cottesloe, where her installations consistently resonate with wide audiences.

In addition to her artistic practice, Sharyn has worked as an art lecturer, curator, and facilitator, delivering workshops and projects with schools, health organisations, and community groups. Her practice as a cultural educator is central to her mission to share, teach, and create understanding around Aboriginal histories and perspectives.

Sharyn’s work is not only a profound expression of personal and collective history but also a catalyst for cultural dialogue and community engagement.

Jim Fisher has called Hamilton Hill home for the past 20 years, he is a familiar face at local cafes and community events, a much-loved character who spreads joy through his music and conversation. His presence has become part of the cultural fabric of the area—an embodiment of community spirit, generosity, and creative passion.

Jim a celebrated figure in Western Australia’s music scene, is widely regarded as the founding father of bluegrass in the state. A charismatic front man, gifted instrumentalist, and accomplished singer-songwriter, Jim’s career spans decades of influence, performance, and mentorship. His enduring dedication to music and community has shaped the musical landscape of WA and inspired countless musicians who have gone on to forge their own successful careers.

Often described in local media as a “living legend,” Jim has long defied industry trends and personal health challenges to remain a commanding and joyful presence on stage. Whether performing as a sideman or leading his own groups, JIm is best known for his sharp wit, warmth, and enthusiasm—qualities that make him a beloved entertainer and collaborator among fellow musicians and audiences alike.

Jim’s performance legacy includes fronting some of Western Australia’s most loved bands, including:

Simone Flavelle is a trailblazing producer, mentor, and advocate whose tireless work over the past two decades has profoundly shaped the landscape of inclusive and disability arts in Western Australia and beyond. With a background in English and Performing Arts, Simone has committed her career to empowering artists with disabilities, ensuring their voices are heard, celebrated, and embedded in the mainstream creative industries.

A long-time resident of Hamilton Hill since the 1990s, Simone has maintained a strong connection to community and place while working on projects of national and international significance. Her work has elevated the visibility and creative contributions of underrepresented artists—especially those living with disability—across theatre, visual arts, digital media, and screen industries.

Simone’s leadership has been instrumental in developing and producing powerful works that champion collaboration, cultural storytelling, and accessibility. Key projects include:

• KAYA BOODJA – in collaboration with Noongar artist Patrick Carter and Wadandi/Noongar Elder Kelton Pell
• You Know We Belong Together – with Julia Hales and Black Swan State Theatre Company
• The TOGETHER Project
• SMALL STORIES

These works have not only given platform to new voices but have also helped shift national perspectives on what inclusive, accessible storytelling can achieve.

From 1994 to 2019, Simone was a founding member and Digital Producer at DADAA, where she developed groundbreaking mentoring programs, digital arts initiatives, and community workshops for more than 90 artists with disabilities. Her work at DADAA directly contributed to the national and international success of artists such as Julia Hales and Patrick Carter, both recipients of Creative Australia Artist Awards.

Simone went on to serve as Diversity and Inclusion Manager at Screenwest (2017–2021), where she championed systemic change across the screen industry, building industry-wide understanding and best practices around representation. She continues to influence national policy and practice through her work with Creative Australia, her advisory role for the Perth Festival Access and Inclusion Advisory Group, and as a board member for the Centre for Stories and committee member for WAAPA’s Bachelor of Performing Arts Honours Course.

Her advocacy is deeply personal as well as professional, shaped in part by her experience as a parent to two young men living with disabilities. Simone’s lifelong dedication to inclusive practice, creative innovation, and the empowerment of marginalised communities has left a lasting legacy in the City of Cockburn and far beyond.

While much of her work is delivered on state and national stages, its foundations lie in her home community. From Hamilton Hill, she has nurtured talent, opened doors, and ensured that artists from all backgrounds have access to meaningful opportunities in the arts.
 

Michelle Hovane is a physical performer, somatic practitioner, and co-artistic director of Sensorium Theatre, creating immersive works for young audiences with disability. A founding member of Sensorium, she has led key productions and professional programs, shaping inclusive arts practice nationally.

Founded in Hamilton Hill in 2010 Sensorium Theatre has grown into Australia’s leading theatre company dedicated to creating live, immersive performances specifically for young audiences with disabilities. Their mission is clear and powerful: to enhance the lives of children with disabilities by sparking their imaginations through sensory-rich theatre experiences that engage sight, sound, touch, taste, and smell.

Built on a foundation of community-driven practice and a decade of experience in Cockburn and Fremantle’s local arts scene, Sensorium Theatre quickly established itself as a national leader in accessible arts. What began as a small-scale independent company has evolved into a fully funded organisation that continues to push artistic boundaries while remaining grounded in community values.

Over the past five years alone, Sensorium Theatre has reached more than 3,500 children with disabilities in over 40 special education settings and 20 theatre venues across Australia. Their works have been featured at major festivals and venues including:

Neta Knapp is a highly respected Noongar elder, artist, cultural awareness teacher, and nurse whose life and work are dedicated to healing, education, and advocacy. Born in Gnowangerup, she was taken as a child to Roelands Mission, raised away from her family and culture. This formative experience has shaped her unwavering commitment to supporting others—particularly Aboriginal people—through education, art, and cultural reconnection.

A long-time resident of the City of Cockburn, Neta has become a beloved and influential figure in the community. She plays a vital role on the City’s Aboriginal Reference Group, regularly delivers ‘’Welcomes to Country’ at civic events, mentors youth, and exhibits her artworks in the City's Show Off art exhibition. Her mentorship goes beyond the arts, extending into health, leadership, and cultural identity, and she is widely regarded as a generous and compassionate community elder.

For over a decade, Neta has served as Artist-in-Residence at the University of Notre Dame, where her impact has been profound. She teaches Cultural Awareness and works closely with students in counselling and midwifery, advocating for Aboriginal health, delivering art therapy, and facilitating yarning circles on identity and belonging. She also sits on three university boards, including the School of Midwifery and Research, and is actively supported by the Indigenous School of Medicine.

Her influence extends even further. Neta currently teaches Cultural Awareness at the Western Australian Police Academy in Joondalup, helping shape more culturally informed and respectful future officers. In recognition of her dedication to community engagement, she was recently awarded the Commissioner’s Medal—a prestigious honour reflecting the depth of her contribution.

She also serves on the Reconciliation Board at St John of God Hospital, bringing her lived experience and cultural insight to institutional spaces that are often disconnected from Aboriginal worldviews.

Education, Neta says, has been her saviour—and she now uses her knowledge to uplift others. “I can share a path with doctors, lawyers, and politicians,” she says with quiet confidence, encouraging young people to chase their goals and hold tight to their visions.

Neta’s lifelong work as a teacher, healer, artist, and advocate is grounded in resilience, wisdom, and a deep sense of responsibility to community. 

Spearwood resident Jane Martin is an accomplished Western Australian painter whose career spans over five decades, marked by a sustained commitment to observation, composition, and the expressive power of colour and mood. Born in Victoria in 1949, Jane spent much of her early life in the United Kingdom before returning to Australia in the early 1960s. She went on to study art at Perth Technical College (1965–67) and later at Curtin University of Technology (1969–72), where she solidified her foundations in fine art.

A prolific plein air painter, Jane’s work is celebrated for capturing the nuanced beauty of everyday life. Her distinctive visual language explores the tension between order and chaos, resulting in richly composed scenes that resonate with intimacy and atmosphere. Her paintings, often layered with a sense of quiet observation, reflect a deep appreciation for familiar spaces and the emotional resonance of place.

Her early recognition included awards such as the University of Western Australia Guild of Undergraduates Prize and the Helena Rubenstein Portrait Exhibition. After raising three children, she further developed her artistic voice through extended painting residencies in France, New Zealand, England, and Scotland—experiences that deeply informed her style and approach.

Jane has exhibited widely both in Australia and overseas, with solo and group exhibitions including:

Long-time Spearwood Resident Larry Mitchell is a widely respected Western Australian artist renowned for his large-scale realist paintings that capture the beauty, fragility, and complexity of remote landscapes and communities—particularly those under threat from climate change and the homogenising effects of globalisation. Born in Northampton, Larry is a self-taught artist whose career spans several decades and continents, earning him critical acclaim and a devoted following both in Australia and internationally.

His work is deeply environmental and political in nature, yet rendered through luminous, highly detailed oil paintings that evoke a strong emotional connection to place. Larry has spent years travelling throughout the Indian and Pacific Ocean regions, recording endangered cultures and coastal ecologies in places such as:

 

• West Kimberley, Western Australia
• Abrolhos Islands
• Margaret River region
• Papua New Guinea
• Solomon Islands
• Mentawais, Indonesia
• The Antarctic

• 1975 – Geraldton Art Award
• 1977 – Cultural Trust Landscape Prize
• 1980–82 – Multiple Sunshine Festival Awards (Oil and Watercolour)
• 1981 – Melville Purchase Award; Canning Art Award; Wynne Prize Commendation (NSW)
• 1985 – WA Cultural Trust Prize for Oil Painting
• 1990 – Melville Art Award
• 2000 – Finalist, Wynne Prize (Art Gallery of NSW);
• Finalist, Fleurieu Prize (Art Gallery of SA

• Art Gallery of Western Australia
• Fremantle Arts Centre
• Nevada Museum of Art (USA)
• Murdoch Collection
• Bankwest
• Barings Bank, London
• Weld Club
• Mirvac Fini
• Apache Energy
• Private collections across Australia, UK, USA, Europe, and Japan

 

Bill Rogers is one of Western Australia’s most influential and respected blues musicians. A virtuoso saxophonist, harmonica player, and vocalist, Bill’s decades-long career has made a profound and lasting impact on the local music community, particularly in Fremantle and the City of Cockburn, where he has long resided in Coolbellup.

Known for his technical skill, versatility, and deep commitment to the music scene, Bill has been a driving force behind the growth and vitality of WA’s blues and roots music. As a long-standing member of the iconic Zydecats, his performance and songwriting contributions were central to the band’s distinctive sound and enduring success.

Bill’s influence extends far beyond his own projects. He has collaborated with some of Western Australia’s most beloved and established artists, including:

 

• Lucky Oceans
• Jim Fisher
• Dave Brewer

In these collaborations, Bill’s musicianship was not just additive—it was transformative. His presence helped shape the sound and direction of each group, and his signature saxophone and harmonica stylings became integral to their musical identity.

Bill is also recognised for his ongoing mentorship of emerging artists, his support for live music venues, and his role in fostering collaboration within the local arts community. His contributions have extended into advocacy and education, helping to preserve the vitality of WA’s live music culture and ensuring its continuity for future generations.

He has played a significant role in supporting and performing at landmark venues such as:

• The Fly By Night Club
• The Duke of George

These institutions are not only spaces for performance but cultural hubs—and Bill has been instrumental in shaping their legacies and curating their soundtracks.

While his musical career has flourished across national and international stages, his roots are firmly planted in the local community. His contributions to Cockburn’s cultural life—though often understated—are profound and far-reaching. He represents the depth of talent residing in the City and serves as a link between its rich cultural past and evolving creative future.
 

Longtime South Lake resident Phil Walley-Stack is a distinguished Noongar singer-songwriter, performer, storyteller, author, and cultural advocate whose impact on the Australian arts landscape - particularly within the City of Cockburn - has been profound. With ancestral ties to the Whadjuk, Yued, Ballardong, and Wardarndi language groups, Phil brings a powerful voice to the stage, fusing contemporary sounds with traditional Indigenous music in a way that captivates audiences and fosters cultural connection.

Born in Yarloop, Phil’s artistic journey began in childhood and was further nurtured through training at WAAPA and the National Aboriginal Islander Skills Development Academy. Over the years, he has developed a unique performance style that blends dynamic musical artistry with strong storytelling rooted in Indigenous knowledge systems.

He has performed on national and international stages, representing both his culture and community with distinction. Major performance highlights include:

• International tours across the USA, Germany, France, Malaysia, Indonesia, China, and the Middle East.
• Collaborations with the Perth Symphony Orchestra, including free community concerts during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Perth, performing for the Prime Minister and international delegates.
• The Yarning Singing Showcase (2022, 2024) presented by his foundation, celebrating Indigenous musicians alongside Ernie Dingo.
• Walk for Yes Festival, performing with John Butler in support of the Indigenous Voice to Parliament.
• Birak Concerts (City of Perth) and Wardarnji Festival (City of Fremantle), showcasing Noongar culture through song and storytelling.

In 2012, Phil founded Aboriginal Shows and Productions, a professional entertainment company focused on presenting and producing Indigenous performances and arts programming. Building on this, he launched a not-for-profit Indigenous Arts Foundation, providing mentorship, training, and performance pathways for emerging Aboriginal artists.

Phil has been a lifelong advocate for youth and cultural sustainability, mentoring young Indigenous creatives to embrace their identity, grow their skills, and step confidently into the arts industry. His radio program, Indigenous Beats, which profiles and promotes Aboriginal musicians, earned him the 2017 Community Broadcasting Association of Australia Award for Contribution to Australian Music.

Phil is also deeply committed to education and reconciliation, delivering workshops and cultural sessions in schools and communities across Western Australia. He uses music, storytelling, and lived experience to build awareness, foster respect, and strengthen cultural pride.
Since relocating to Cockburn in 2004, Phil has been an active and passionate contributor to the local community. His connection is especially strong through:

• Longstanding involvement with Bibra Lake Primary School, where he initiated and still delivers the school’s annual NAIDOC celebrations, and designed their inaugural Year 6 Leavers Shirt, based on the creation story of Walliabup (Bibra Lake).
• Regular performances at City of Cockburn events including the Spring Fair, Sorry Day commemorations, the Beeliar Wetlands celebration, and Evening Under the Stars.
• Contributions to the opening of Bibra Lake Regional Playground and Welcome to Country ceremonies for visiting dignitaries.
• Representing Cockburn on the international stage, including coordinating Noongar dancers for performances in Mobile, USA (as part of the sister-city program) and leading a performance delegation to Split, Croatia, in 2024.

Phil’s contributions have been widely recognised:

• 2011 WA NAIDOC Artist of the Year
• Finalist – WA of the Year Awards (2017 & 2018) for service to the Aboriginal community and contribution to the arts.
• Community Broadcasting Association of Australia Award (2017) for his role in promoting Indigenous music through radio.

Trevor Vickers is one of Australia’s most distinguished and influential abstract painters, whose minimalist style and chromatic sensibility have helped shape the trajectory of Australian modern art. With a celebrated career spanning more than six decades, Trevor’s contribution to contemporary visual culture is not only national in scope but deeply connected to the community of Hamilton Hill and the City of Cockburn.

Trevor’s signature hard-edged abstraction—defined by geometric forms, rich colour fields, and meditative spatial compositions—has earned him a place in every major public collection in Australia, including:

• National Gallery of Australia
• National Gallery of Victoria
• Art Gallery of Western Australia
• Art Gallery of South Australia
• Queensland Art Gallery
• Artbank

He first gained national recognition through his inclusion in the landmark 1968 exhibition ‘The Field’ at the National Gallery of Victoria, a seminal event that launched the careers of several prominent abstract artists. Throughout the 1960s and 70s, Trevor was a key figure in Melbourne’s avant-garde art scene, before moving abroad in the 1980s and 90s to further his practice in France and England.
Returning to Western Australia in the late 1990s, he settled in Hamilton Hill, bringing with him a wealth of experience and a commitment to supporting the arts locally.

In 2013, Trevor co-founded Art Collective WA, an artist-led initiative that promotes the work of mid-to-late career Western Australian artists in a climate of diminishing gallery representation. Through this organisation, Trevor has played a pivotal role in ensuring the longevity and visibility of professional artists, particularly in WA. He continues to serve on the board, mentoring and collaborating with fellow artists.
In 2016, his legacy was further recognised with the release of his first monograph, and in 2024 he was awarded the State Living Treasures Award, honouring his profound contribution to the cultural fabric of Western Australia.

Trevor moved to Hamilton Hill in the late 1990s, he is one of only five artists to have exhibited in every edition of the City’s Show Off Art Exhibition since its inception 20 years ago. The City of Cockburn’s Art Collection also includes Trevor’s work, reflecting his integral place in the region’s cultural identity.

Beyond his individual achievements, Trevor’s long-standing local presence, mentorship of younger artists, and commitment to collaborative practice have made him a respected figure and advocate in the community. His home studio in Spearwood/Hamilton Hill has long been a place of quiet excellence and influential practice.