Millinery Australia Committee 2025

Millinery Australia’s Committee is elected each year in November at the Association’s AGM. The Committee consists of four executive positions: President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer and up to six ordinary committee members. Apply to become a member of Millinery Australia here

GEORGIA SKELTON – VIC

President

Georgia is a millinery artist who enjoys creating unique, stand-out pieces for photo shoots and galas. Georgia is the winner of both the 2021 Millinery Australia Design Award and the Stephen Jones Patrons Pick Award.

She established, and manages, the Millinery Australia student competition, and is a proud member and education convenor of The Embroiderers Guild, Victoria.

As President of the Millinery Association of Australia for 2025, her goal is to ensure that all members feel valued and proud of the Association. 

president@millineryaustralia.org

TRACEY TAU – VIC

Vice President

A long tenure working in the racing industry is what sparked Tracey’s early interests in millinery. What began as a practical hobby for someone whose vocation called for a constant stream of hats, eventually led her to commence her studies at Kangan Institute in 2013.

Her training further blossomed under the tutelage of some of Australia’s leading Milliners including Serena Lindeman, (the late) Paris Kyne, Kim Fletcher, Richard Nylon and Rose Hudson among others.

Having studied pattern drafting, design and dressmaking in her formative years, it is her passion for textiles, coupled with her great love and respect for anything vintage, that drives most of her inspiration in the workroom.

vicepresident@millineryaustralia.org

KATHRYN CAMPBELL – VIC

Secretary

Kathryn started her millinery journey while living in Singapore, establishing her label ‘Hats Off Handmade Headwear’ in 2011. Upon returning to Australia, Kathryn undertook the Certificate IV in Millinery at Kangan Institute, and opened her studio and store in the Melbourne suburb of Camberwell. Kathryn provides her clients a unique millinery experience, offering an extensive range of her handmade designs for every day wear, racing fashion, weddings and bridal (for men and women), as well a repairs and renovations of much-loved treasures. Having spent 10 years based in Singapore and New York, Kathryn’s style is reflective of her experiences, and exposure to diverse cultures lived and travelled.

Becoming a Fellow member of the Millinery Association in 2023, Kathryn was keen to get a greater understanding of the Association from a Committee perspective, and joined the Committee as Secretary for 2024. She is proud to once again be serving as the Secretary for 2025.

Kathryn is committed to supporting the Association’s members, promoting millinery and the art and diversity of hat-making across Australia.

secretary@millineryaustralia.org

SARAH MENSFORTH – VIC

Treasurer

Sarah is the milliner behind Mensforth Millinery. With a passion for creating stunning headpieces, Sarah has honed her craft through a combination of online and in-person classes, as well as earning her Certificate IV at Kangan.

In addition to her creative skills, Sarah brings a wealth of experience to the committee as our Treasurer. With years of experience in project management, administration, and small business bookkeeping, she is well-equipped to manage the Association’s finances with care and integrity.

treasurer@millineryaustralia.org

SANDRA FORRESTER – VIC

Ordinary Member

As a founding member of the Millinery Association of Australia, Sandy has been a member for 30 years. Sandy was the Association’s Events Coordinator from 2006-2015, and Vice-President from 2008-2015.

Most recently, Sandy was inducted in to the Millinery Association of Australia Hall of Fame (2024) in recognition of her many years of service to the Association and the profession of Millinery.

Sandy offers a wealth of experience and knowledge of millinery and the millinery world.

SERENA LINDEMAN – VIC

Ordinary Member

Serena found her passion for millinery while living in London in the 1990s. Started off at a night class in the borough she lived in in around 1993, she extended her skill set the following year by studying at London College of Fashion, and then by landing a millinery assistant job with Edwina Ibbotson.

On returning to Melbourne, Serena opened a business in the Nicholas Building in inner city Melbourne, where she has worked with clients and built relationships in Melbourne’s fashion industry. Serena has taught Millinery at Kangan Institute, an accomplishment which she is proud of, having taught some of the leading milliners in Australia.

Serena currently designs and makes short runs of handmade hats for her clients, works as a millinery assistant to one of Melbourne’s other milliners, and provides maintenance and repairs for a broad range of men’s hats. A motto to work by… “if it happens above the shoulders, I am interested”.

JO PETERSON – VIC

Ordinary Member

Jo studied millinery at the Melbourne Fashion Institute in 2014 and gained her Certificate II and III at Kangan TAFE in the following years under the watchful eye of Serena Lindeman.

A proud member of the Millinery Association of Australia, she has been an active member of the Committee as Secretary in 2023 and as an Ordinary Member from 2019 – 2022 and again in 2025 managing the Association’s social media.

Jo loves the creative process of millinery and particularly when millinery and maths collide…for her that’s when the magic happens! She was the inaugural winner of the Stephen Jones Award in 2019.

Millinery is Jo’s obsessive hobby; her happy place. She is a chemotherapy nurse which has enabled her to travel the world living in both Canada and Saudi Arabia. Home is now Tootgarook, down on Melbourne’s beautiful Mornington Peninsula, where Jo is a busy wife, mum and keen golfer.

JULIA WATSON – QLD

Ordinary Member

Julia launched her hat label ‘Hats By Zarbella’ from Yeppoon, Queensland in September, 2014. 

With a background in structural design, obtaining a Masters degree in Ergonomics, the strong engineering focus brings a unique and innovative flare to Julia’s designs, incorporating her custom made one-of-a-kind hat blocks.

Julia has been a member of the Millinery Association of Australia for many years, and an active member in  the community, frequently donating her time and work to many non-profit establishments and community organisations. 

Now very excited and honoured to join the MAA Committee this year, Julia is looking forward to working with a wonderful group of members who are as passionate as she is.

JOANNE COOKE – NSW

Ordinary Member

Joanne is a milliner from The Hawkesbury, NSW, and has a passion for creating all styles of millinery.

She has a background in dressmaking and costume design and creation.

Joanne was a Top 10 finalist in the 2024 Millinery Australia Design Awards, and is the Head Steward for the Millinery at The Hawkesbury Show. 

Joanne is thrilled to represent NSW on the 2025 Millinery Australia Committee.  

AMBER LOUISON-SUWAL – VIC

Ordinary Member

Amber completed the Certificate IV in Millinery at Kangan Institute in 2023, and credits the amazing tutors she had as a part of her millinery journey, such as Serena Lindeman, Waltraud Reiner, Rose Hudson and Louise McDonald. Amber loves to keep learning techniques and gain knowledge from amazing millinery artisans.

Amber was awarded the Mary Locke Encouragement Award for the 2023 MA Student Awards. Having only just joined the Association as a Fellow member, and now a Committee member, Amber’s enthusiasm and commitment to get involved at the organisational level is much appreciated by her fellow Committee members.