About Us
Our Purpose
To create a vibrant, inclusive arts and cultural organisation that uses storytelling to inspire cohesion and understanding through rich and diverse programs.
Open Mon – Thur. Contact us today.
Founded in 2015 by John and Caroline Wood, the Centre for Stories is a vibrant, inclusive literary arts and cultural organisation.
The Centre uses storytelling to grow skills and confidence, inspire understanding and promote community cohesion.
Our work is about more than words. We are led by and empower storytellers and writers whose experiences and perspectives may have been historically disempowered and disenfranchised.
With a focus on cultural diversity, we create opportunities for storytellers and writers who are underrepresented in Western Australia’s creative sector. In sharing their stories with arts and community audiences, we drive social change.
Read our Reforming Literature: National Cultural Policy Submission to learn about our beliefs on the literature and publishing industry in Australia.
What we do
Our services are aimed at helping individuals and organisations tell stories that engage, inform, and influence. The Centre provides a variety of services and amenities to people, community groups, government agencies, and the corporate sector. These include:
- Storytelling training and services
- Writing Programs for emerging, mid-career and established writers
- Producing writing and storytelling workshops, panel conversations and other events
- Print, online, audio, and video-storytelling production services
- Professional development training for teachers, writers, and oral storytellers
- Mentoring for emerging practitioners
Past clients
We have worked with the Department of Health, Youth Link, North Metropolitan Adult Migrant Education Program, City of Wanneroo, Perth Institute of Contemporary Art, Curtin University, and others.
Annual Reports
Help us do more
We’re on a mission to create a diverse, inclusive, and cohesive society through the art of storytelling. Join us in supporting emerging artists and sharing powerful stories from across our community.
Our team
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Caroline Wood
CEO and Co-Founder
Caroline is a member of the Australia Council Board of Creative Australia and Encounter Theatre. In 2023, she was appointed as a Member (AM) of the Order of Australia for significant service to literature as a publisher, and to the community through a range of roles.
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Robert Wood
Creative Director
Robert is responsible for developing partnerships with artists and social change organisations; planning writing, publishing and mentoring programs and implementing best-practice models that improve wellbeing. His concepts include Backstories and Portside Review.
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Camila Egusquiza Santa Cruz
Program Coordinator – Writing and Publications
Camila coordinates the signature writing program, All Write, and oversees production of the Centre for Stories’ print publications. She also runs the Centre for Stories social media.
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Nadia Heisler
Program Coordinator – Youth Storytelling
Nadia is originally from Brazil and has been living in Perth since 2011. A former journalist in her home country, she is an accomplished writer and oral storyteller. She manages the Centre for Stories youth storytelling and creative writing programs.
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Sisonke Msimang
Project Lead – First Stories
Sisonke is the author of two books and many essays on race, gender and creativity, and she writes, speaks and facilitates conversations about belonging. Formerly Head Story Trainer at Centre for Stories, Sisonke is now leading a project focussed on storytelling as a practice of building community between First Nations and CaLD communities.
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Luisa Mitchell
Project Manager – First Stories
Originally from Broome, Luisa is a Nyungar-Anglo-Australian author with a background in film, podcasts and events. She is managing a project focussed on First Nations storytelling and capacity-building.
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Casey Mulder
Director, First Nations Writing & Programs
Originally from Quairading, Casey is a Ballardong Nyungar-Anglo educator, editor and writer. She established the First Nations Write Night in 2023 with Luisa Mitchell, and is now coordinating First Nations programs at the Centre and supporting a project focussed on First Nations storytelling and capacity-building.
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Zhanna Piliushko
Finance Officer
Zhanna has over fifteen years’ experience as an accountant and finance officer for large corporations, small business, and not-for-profit organisations. She is responsible for preparing budgets, financial reports, and processing payments.
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Cheryl Centen
Engagement and Fundraising Coordinator
Cheryl brings over a decade of international commercial experience, having collaborated with some of the most influential global brands. Her expertise in business strategy, brand management, and marketing allows her to craft compelling narratives that resonate authentically with audiences.
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Vuma Phiri
Community Development Coordinator
Vuma is a Zambian-born storyteller, writer and spoken word poet with work featured in a myriad of publications, while performing for audiences throughout WA. She coordinates oral storytelling projects, workshops and events and is the service lead for storytelling stakeholders.
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Jenna Treloar
Finance Assistant and Admin Officer
Jenna is a Canadian-born Anishinaabe who balances a passion for writing with a solid appreciation for financial and data management. She supports the Finance Officer with day-to-day operations and office administration.
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Boris Bosquet
Marketing and Social Media Officer
Originally from Mauritius, Boris began his career in marketing within the finance industry. He now drives marketing and social media at Centre for Stories, helping amplify powerful stories from diverse voices.
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Dianne Ling
Library Services Volunteer
Dianne has a world of knowledge when it comes to books and the Centre for Stories’ library. Her role includes cataloguing books and curating the library.
Our Board
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Fabian Ross
Chair
At present, Fabian Ross is CEO of Hockey WA and serves on a number of other boards. With over 20 years of experience in the financial services sector, he has held high-profile executive positions, including CEO of WA Super, and senior roles at BT Financial Group, HBOS Australia, and GESB. In addition to his executive leadership, Mr. Ross is committed to mentoring and consulting, with a focus on supporting small to medium-sized businesses in achieving their strategic objectives and fostering the next generation of talent.
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Neil Fernandes
Deputy Chair
Neil Fernandes has held a number of senior positions in the vocational education and training sector over 30 years. He was the Managing Director of the former Central Institute of Technology between 2005 and 2016, and served as the Deputy Director-General (Training) in the Department of Education and Training.
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Charlotte Solomon
Secretary
Charlotte Solomon is a human rights lawyer working in Elder rights, advocating for older people experiencing all forms of elder abuse to live with dignity and respect. Charlotte worked previously across a wide range of roles in Commonwealth and State government agencies.
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Raj Thethy
Treasurer
Raj Thethy is an independent consultant spealising in providing accounting and financial advisory services to organisations seeking to enhance systems and processes. Raj has had over 27 years experience in the not-for-profit, public, and private education sectors. His responsibilities have covered financial accounting, strategic planning, market and competitor analysis, and business improvement and development.
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Randal Humich
Board Member
Randal Humich is a property investor and developer who runs a family office based in Fremantle. His work has led him to be a supporter of the arts and he believes that arts and culture are the key to reviving the City. Randal also provides advice and support to other non-profit organisations.
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Marina Woodhouse
Board Member
Marina Woodhouse is an accomplished fundraising professional with over 20 years’ experience in marketing and development roles. For the past 15 years she has established a career in the local arts sector with senior roles at West Australian Symphony Orchestra, West Australian Ballet and Perth Festival.
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Kathryn Gledhill-Tucker
Board Member
Kathryn Gledhill-Tucker is a Nyungar technologist, writer, and digital rights activist living on Whadjuk Noongar boodjar. They write poetry, science fiction, and occasionally essays to explore the history of technology and our relationship with machines. Their poetry has appeared in Cordite, Red Room Poetry, Running Dog, Best Australian Poems, and their short stories have been published in various anthologies, including This All Come Back Now and New Australian Fiction 2024.
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Danielle Benda
Board Member
Danielle Benda is a journalist and broadcaster with more than 35 years experience in the media, the arts and communications. In addition to her work in newspapers, magazines and radio, she has worked at the Perth Writers Festival and in the office of Premier Colin Barnett. She is now Manager at ABC Radio Perth.
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Elissa Crowther-Pal
Board Member
Elissa Crowther-Pal joined Westpac in 2010 and is Head of Westpac Private Wealth Global Investment Services. She has over 25 years in global financial services experience. Elissa leads a multi-functional team of experienced investment specialists across sales, product management and development, trading, operations and research with a primary focus to source, select, trade and monitor investments for self-directed HNW wholesale clients. She currently serves on the Westpac Private Wealth Investment Committee and Risk Committee.
Partnerships
Our partnerships are collaborations that fund us, work with us, share expertise, and support us in delivering our objectives. Thank you to each of our partners for their ongoing support and contribution.
If you’re interested in partnering with the Centre for Stories, please Get in touch.
