People & Culture

A still from 'The Flying Adventures of Amelia' | Dir. Pepi Kokab | Photo: Alex Lee

The People & Culture team comprises the Reception, Library, Student Centre, HR and Payroll teams. The team works together to ensure that the People Experience at AFTRS, for staff, students and the public, is a warm, welcoming, vibrant and safe experience in line with the School’s values.

With a largely internal focus, this team is responsible for providing information, guidance, resources and support to both staff and students to ensure a psychologically safe environment that values difference and promotes inclusivity, whilst creating a culture that celebrates creativity, wellbeing and lifelong learning.

  • Link to Sharon Zeeman
    Sharon Zeeman

    Sharon Zeeman is a proud Gamilaroi woman and an arts and education multi-disciplinarian.  She has taken up the position of Director of People and Culture having acted in the role at various times recently and after two years as the much-respected Student Engagement Manager at AFTRS. Sharon has a background in teaching, performance and writing for stage and completed a Bachelor of Education at the University of Southern Queensland. Previous roles include as Education Co-ordinator at Belvoir St Theatre and the Producer of Learning Programs at Sydney Living Museum.

    Sharon Zeeman

    Sharon Zeeman is a proud Gamilaroi woman and an arts and education multi-disciplinarian.  She has taken up the position of Director of People and Culture having acted in the role at various times recently and after two years as the much-respected Student Engagement Manager at AFTRS. Sharon has a background in teaching, performance and writing for stage and completed a Bachelor of Education at the University of Southern Queensland. Previous roles include as Education Co-ordinator at Belvoir St Theatre and the Producer of Learning Programs at Sydney Living Museum.

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    icon Job title:

    Director of People and Culture

    icon Division:

    People & Culture

  • Link to Rachelle Ferrar
    Rachelle Ferrar

    Rachelle Ferrar is a senior HR executive with more than 20 years of experience shaping people and culture across the creative industries, including leadership roles as Head of Human Resources at DNEG and Head of People, Performance, and Culture APAC at Deluxe Entertainment.

    Rachelle Ferrar

    Rachelle Ferrar is a senior HR executive with more than 20 years of experience shaping people and culture across the creative industries, including leadership roles as Head of Human Resources at DNEG and Head of People, Performance, and Culture APAC at Deluxe Entertainment.

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    icon Job title:

    Head of HR

    icon Division:

    People & Culture

  • Link to Hayley Brown
    Hayley Brown

    Hayley Brown has worked in libraries for the last 20 years, most of which were spent at the AFTRS Library where she started as a junior Library Technician. Today, as the AFTRS Library and Information Services Manager Hayley is responsible for the overall running of the Library and its staff. She also manages AFTRS records management and archival processes and policies, as well as the development and maintenance of the AFTRS staff intranet. Hayley is passionate about film and television and ensuring the best possible experience for the users of the AFTRS Library.

    Hayley Brown

    Hayley Brown has worked in libraries for the last 20 years, most of which were spent at the AFTRS Library where she started as a junior Library Technician. Today, as the AFTRS Library and Information Services Manager Hayley is responsible for the overall running of the Library and its staff. She also manages AFTRS records management and archival processes and policies, as well as the development and maintenance of the AFTRS staff intranet. Hayley is passionate about film and television and ensuring the best possible experience for the users of the AFTRS Library.

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    icon Job title:

    Library and Information Services Manager

    icon Division:

    People & Culture

  • Link to Frazer Bull-Clark
    Frazer Bull-Clark

    Frazer Bull-Clark has worked at the AFTRS Library since 2016 and is passionate about all things film. As part of his role as the Collection Services Librarian he oversees the development and expansion of the Library’s collections, including screen, book, and streaming resources. He also curates the Library’s film screening program and New Titles display. A practicing filmmaker, Frazer brings an informed and enthusiastic perspective to his work with the Library collection and AFTRS community.

    Frazer Bull-Clark

    Frazer Bull-Clark has worked at the AFTRS Library since 2016 and is passionate about all things film. As part of his role as the Collection Services Librarian he oversees the development and expansion of the Library’s collections, including screen, book, and streaming resources. He also curates the Library’s film screening program and New Titles display. A practicing filmmaker, Frazer brings an informed and enthusiastic perspective to his work with the Library collection and AFTRS community.

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    icon Job title:

    Collection Services Librarian

    icon Division:

    People & Culture

  • Link to Rachel Roberts
    Rachel Roberts

    Rachel Roberts is a PACFA Registered Counsellor (5526) who works with AFTRS students to support their mental health and wellbeing whilst studying and preparing for industry.

    Rachel works collaboratively with students to gain a deeper understanding of themselves and the challenges they face as unique individuals and as film, radio and TV creators preparing for a unique industry. Counselling with Rachel is a space where students can work to understand difficult experiences, experiment with setting boundaries, understand life transitions, unpack sexuality and gender, explore relationship patterns and family dynamics, and get curious about self-esteem.

    Before counselling, Rachel’s arts practice took her from theatre to gaming to science communication. Rachel has been artist-in-residence at the London Science Museum’s Dana Centre, Stockholm Resilience Centre, and Singapore Science Centre where she worked with research scientists to develop interactive games about climate modelling, systems science and research practice.

    Rachel holds a BA in Creative Arts from University of Wollongong, a Grad. Dip in Secondary Education from University of Notre Dame, a Grad. Dip in Counselling from the Australian College of Applied Psychology, and is a Certified Suicide Crisis Supporter with Lifeline. Rachel continues to train in trauma work, somatic psychotherapy and body image. She is the first Certified Body Trust® Provider in Australia, and a HAES® registered practitioner.

    Rachel Roberts

    Rachel Roberts is a PACFA Registered Counsellor (5526) who works with AFTRS students to support their mental health and wellbeing whilst studying and preparing for industry.

    Rachel works collaboratively with students to gain a deeper understanding of themselves and the challenges they face as unique individuals and as film, radio and TV creators preparing for a unique industry. Counselling with Rachel is a space where students can work to understand difficult experiences, experiment with setting boundaries, understand life transitions, unpack sexuality and gender, explore relationship patterns and family dynamics, and get curious about self-esteem.

    Before counselling, Rachel’s arts practice took her from theatre to gaming to science communication. Rachel has been artist-in-residence at the London Science Museum’s Dana Centre, Stockholm Resilience Centre, and Singapore Science Centre where she worked with research scientists to develop interactive games about climate modelling, systems science and research practice.

    Rachel holds a BA in Creative Arts from University of Wollongong, a Grad. Dip in Secondary Education from University of Notre Dame, a Grad. Dip in Counselling from the Australian College of Applied Psychology, and is a Certified Suicide Crisis Supporter with Lifeline. Rachel continues to train in trauma work, somatic psychotherapy and body image. She is the first Certified Body Trust® Provider in Australia, and a HAES® registered practitioner.

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    icon Job title:

    Student Counsellor

    icon Division:

    People & Culture

  • Link to Raquel Caballero
    Raquel Caballero

    Raquel has over 10 years experience working in libraries, and came to the AFTRS Library in 2017. She is also a practicing artist and has a passionate interest in film that runs the gamut from high art to high camp. As part of her role as the Engagement and Outreach Librarian, Raquel is responsible for the Library’s physical space and collection, designing and installing the Library’s various themed displays including the ‘Curated Collection’ and events planning.

    Raquel Caballero

    Raquel has over 10 years experience working in libraries, and came to the AFTRS Library in 2017. She is also a practicing artist and has a passionate interest in film that runs the gamut from high art to high camp. As part of her role as the Engagement and Outreach Librarian, Raquel is responsible for the Library’s physical space and collection, designing and installing the Library’s various themed displays including the ‘Curated Collection’ and events planning.

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    icon Job title:

    Engagement and Outreach Librarian

    icon Division:

    People & Culture

  • Link to Alison Ingram
    Alison Ingram

    Alison recently made a career transition to libraries after nearly two decades spent working in various film post-production and VFX roles. As an accredited Librarian and Archivist, with experience in both public and school libraries, she came to AFTRS in 2023 to take up the role of Research Support Librarian. She assists the AFTRS community with research strategies and academic support. With a particular interest in film archives, and a recognition of the importance of preserving cinematic history and cultural heritage, she is an enthusiastic member of the AFTRS Library team.

    Alison Ingram

    Alison recently made a career transition to libraries after nearly two decades spent working in various film post-production and VFX roles. As an accredited Librarian and Archivist, with experience in both public and school libraries, she came to AFTRS in 2023 to take up the role of Research Support Librarian. She assists the AFTRS community with research strategies and academic support. With a particular interest in film archives, and a recognition of the importance of preserving cinematic history and cultural heritage, she is an enthusiastic member of the AFTRS Library team.

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    icon Job title:

    Research Support Librarian

    icon Division:

    People & Culture

  • Link to Taryn Fletcher
    Taryn Fletcher

    Taryn Fletcher is the Student Centre's Student Engagement Manager. Her previous role at AFTRS was as Radio Program Coordinator, where she was responsible for coordinating AFTRS Radio and Podcasting courses.

    With over 14 years’ experience working across finance, media, aviation and engineering industries in Townsville, London, and Sydney, Taryn brings strong creative and proactive problem-solving skills to her current role at AFTRS.

    Taryn holds a Bachelor in Commerce from James Cook University Townsville, spending a month abroad in 2010 at the Berlin School of Economics and Law where she completed the Markets and Management in Europe Summer School program. Taryn returned to study online in 2018 and now also holds a Graduate Diploma in Psychology from Monash University, Melbourne.

    Prior to AFTRS, Taryn began her career as an accountant at PricewaterhouseCoopers and after pursuing project management roles came to AFTRS with a passion for radio and podcasting and student support.

    Taryn is also a singer-songwriter with two independent releases and performances on top of the Sydney Harbour Bridge as part of Bridgeclimb’s Sunset Sessions. Taryn also created and produced a Podcast called Top of the World which featured for two years on The AU Review, as well as hosting two live Songwriter in the Round events at the Seymour Centre and the Vanguard in Sydney.

    Taryn Fletcher

    Taryn Fletcher is the Student Centre's Student Engagement Manager. Her previous role at AFTRS was as Radio Program Coordinator, where she was responsible for coordinating AFTRS Radio and Podcasting courses.

    With over 14 years’ experience working across finance, media, aviation and engineering industries in Townsville, London, and Sydney, Taryn brings strong creative and proactive problem-solving skills to her current role at AFTRS.

    Taryn holds a Bachelor in Commerce from James Cook University Townsville, spending a month abroad in 2010 at the Berlin School of Economics and Law where she completed the Markets and Management in Europe Summer School program. Taryn returned to study online in 2018 and now also holds a Graduate Diploma in Psychology from Monash University, Melbourne.

    Prior to AFTRS, Taryn began her career as an accountant at PricewaterhouseCoopers and after pursuing project management roles came to AFTRS with a passion for radio and podcasting and student support.

    Taryn is also a singer-songwriter with two independent releases and performances on top of the Sydney Harbour Bridge as part of Bridgeclimb’s Sunset Sessions. Taryn also created and produced a Podcast called Top of the World which featured for two years on The AU Review, as well as hosting two live Songwriter in the Round events at the Seymour Centre and the Vanguard in Sydney.

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    icon Job title:

    Student Engagement Manager

    icon Division:

    People & Culture

  • Link to Victoria Palmer
    Victoria Palmer

    Victoria Palmer recently became a library assistant after working as a bookseller and in post-production for two years. She is passionate about books, animation and film. In her work at the AFTRS Library she is excited about assisting Library patrons and bringing new collections to the fore.

    Victoria Palmer

    Victoria Palmer recently became a library assistant after working as a bookseller and in post-production for two years. She is passionate about books, animation and film. In her work at the AFTRS Library she is excited about assisting Library patrons and bringing new collections to the fore.

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    icon Job title:

    Library Assistant

    icon Division:

    People & Culture