Committee for Lorne: Community Profile - Fay Valcanis

Planning has already begun for the seventh Lorne Sculpture Event in 2020. Survey statistics reveal many truths but, importantly for the town, that the ever growing number of visitors contribute to Lorne’s economy across the board. Just speak to Jorge at the Swing Bridge or HAH café for starters.

Until Fay Valcanis was appointed Manager of Lorne Sculpture Biennale in 2017 (thanks to a generous donation from the Sydney Myer Foundation), the event was mounted solely by volunteers. An enormous undertaking and commitment by a dedicated few, assisted by many in the community who man the event daily.

Fay grew up and was educated in Melbourne, obtaining a Bachelor of Education in Environmental Studies. Her first assignment was with the then-Conservation Department, as a community educator in the Warrandyte State Park where, along with volunteers, she helped residents with properties abutting the park, increase their awareness of pest plants and animals. “It was a lovely job. I got to know the community well and together we worked out the to best way to look after the park.”

Next she worked on fire prevention on public lands, gaining experience in communication skills from launching programs, making presentations, creating budgets and writing publications for schools. This experience equipped her well for a position as senior marketing officer with the new Melbourne Museum three months before it opened. “They warned me I would be hitting the ground running but it turned out to be a sprint. They were a wonderful group of people and fun to work with”. During the next 14 years with Melbourne Museum, Fay had two children and was promoted to Marketing Manager. “I learned a lot from this team about developing partnerships and the way the media works. Fay’s next job was as Marketing Manager at The Immigration Museum.

In 2009, Fay and her husband bought a house in Aireys Inlet. In 2011 they began a major renovation and moved in permanently. Fay commuted to Melbourne. In 2014 she took long service leave and went backpacking with her family in south-east Asia. On her return, she resigned her job and took on freelance work until her appointment as Lorne Sculpture Biennale manager. Combined with her management experience, an interest in the arts, a love of nature and believing in community involvement, she saw the job as a good match for her background.