Announcement | Gallery Director Ashleigh Whatling to leave HBRG

Hervey Bay Regional Gallery Director Ashleigh Whatling has stepped down from her role after two years at the helm of the gallery.

She departs the Fraser Coast to take up a new role as Director of Riddoch Arts and Cultural Centre in Mount Gambier, South Australia.

Ashleigh Whatling has led the gallery through a period of significant change and growth, managing the re-opening of the gallery facility in April 2022 and the launch of a reinvigorated exhibition program.

About her time at the gallery, Ashleigh commented, “I want to thank the Fraser Coast arts community for their warmth and generosity during my time as Director.

I am incredibly proud of what the Hervey Bay Regional Gallery team has achieved since the re-launch of the gallery and I look forward to seeing HBRG continue to cement its national reputation as a leading regional gallery.”  

During Ashleigh’s leadership the Hervey Bay Regional Gallery team has reached major milestones set out in the gallery’s 2022-2026 Strategic Plan.

Significant progress has been made making HBRG a place of national consequence, centring storytelling in gallery programming, strengthening connections with the Butchulla community, building and maintaining a fine art collection, and promoting a sustainable creative economy in the region.

Mayor George Seymour congratulated Ashleigh Whatling on her new role and thanked her for her impact on the arts ecology of the region.

“Ashleigh brought a wealth of experience and passion to Hervey Bay Regional Gallery, putting the gallery on a course for success into the future.

Since re-launching eighteen months ago HBRG has gone from strength to strength as a key cultural facility for residents and visitors. I want to thank her for her service to this community and wish her the best in her new role.”

Recruitment for a new Gallery Director will commence soon. In the interim period Sarah Thomson, currently the HBRG Public Programs and Community Engagement Officer, will be Acting Director.


Image: Member for Hervey Bay Adrian Tantari, HBRG Director Ashleigh Whatling and Fraser Coast Mayor George Seymour at the re-opening of HBRG, April 2022.