After five years as Executive Director, Julie Englefield will be stepping down at the end of May. This decision, made months ago, came with generous notice and her thoughtfulness and care for the organisation.
Julie’s tenure has been transformative. She has shaped Ausdance QLD into a more inclusive, resilient, and respected organisation.
Beginning her role on the eve of the COVID-19 pandemic, Julie led with strength and clarity during one of the most challenging periods for the arts. Her development of the only government-approved COVID-safe industry plan for the arts in Australia allowed Queensland’s dance sector to safely return to practice by May 2020.
Julie has worked tirelessly to centre First Nations voices within Ausdance QLD’s work. Her deep commitment to building genuine and lasting relationships with First Nations communities has enriched the organisation profoundly and permanently.
She has also been a passionate advocate for child safety, much of which occurred behind the scenes. The outcomes of this advocacy can be seen in the Safedance for Kids program and the successful inclusion of First Nations cultural safety within Queensland’s Child Safe Organisations legislation.
Julie strengthened support for dance educators, championing Ausdance QLD’s role in the annual Queensland Dance Educators Conference (QDEC) and ensuring teachers felt connected, supported, and valued within the wider dance sector.
Under her leadership, Ausdance QLD has achieved financial stability, sound governance, and stronger sector relationships. Her contributions extend nationally as she helped lead the Ausdance network’s advocacy efforts, establishing Ausdance QLD as a trusted voice for the sector.
We will begin recruitment for a new Executive Director in August, with the aim of starting in January 2026. This timeline allows us to align the role with operational funding outcomes from Arts Queensland (anticipated in June), which we hope will enable us to evolve the position into a full-time role.
In the meantime, we’re delighted to welcome Huw Jones as our new Business Manager. Following a rigorous handover in the past month, Huw will help ensure vital operational continuity, working closely with the team and the Management Committee through December.
We look to the future with confidence, building on the strong foundation Julie has laid, with renewed energy for member services and sector development. Thank you for your continued support.
Warmly,
Anne Metcalfe
Chair, Ausdance QLD