With one of the busiest and bustling times of the year, the Adelaide West End Association is proud to announce many exciting things we have been working on behind the scenes including bringing Adelaide Fringe back to its birthplace in the West End.
First and foremost, we have had a slight reshuffle within our Executive Committee with Taren Hocking, the Marketing, Events and Partnerships Manager at Mercury CX, taking on the role of President as Andrew Wallace steps into his new role as Media Liaison for the Association.
Andrew says “After leading the AWEA off and on for the best part of 15 years I look forward to a fresh perspective on the future of our part of the city of Adelaide. I look forward to what is to come with a master plan and action on Hindley Street that responds to the AWEA 10-year vision for the street.
“I will remain active within the association contributing to our shared vision and in my new (or old) role in Media Liaison. Thanks to everyone for their support over the last 15 years, 4 councils and 4 Lord Mayors!”
In addition, we have welcomed new Committee Members including Joshua Dolman of Sunny’s Pizza, Michael West of Mississippi Moon, Christine Ormsby of VisualCom, and Anne Wiberg of Light Adelaide. We are also delighted to have our continuing members James Economos of Econ Group as Public Officer, Geoff Barclay of ACH as Treasurer, Paola Coro of Apoteca, and Andres Donoso of Fat Controller Club.
“I am honoured to take up the mantle and continue a long legacy of passionate work by Andrew and the association to celebrate and elevate the unique value of Adelaide’s West End. This work is close to my heart in more ways than one, as I am also picking up the baton from my father in-law Gary Hocking who dedicated many years working in the AWEA with incredible advocates including City Councillor Greg Mackie. I’ve even pondered the mysterious role destiny may have played with my own lineage tracing back to the wonderfully infamous King of the West Bert Edwards.
I am thrilled to not only be able to welcome some brilliant new faces to the committee but to have the continued dedication and support of our ongoing members who represent the strength and diversity of business in the West End. Despite the challenges we’ve faced particularly over the past two years, I am excited by the opportunities the future presents and I am proud to be helping to drive the West Village initiative for Adelaide’s West End” – Taren Hocking, President AWEA
After many years of looking for ways to bring a bigger and brighter presence of the Adelaide Fringe back to the West End, the West Village truly is a coming together of the ‘Village’ and we are all really excited for its debut.
The West Village links together Adelaide’s creative, artistic and cutting-edge entertainment precinct, offering year-round day-to-night entertainment through art, hospitality, experiences, exhibitions, music, cinema, books and more.
Launched on Saturday 19th February 2022 at the Lion Arts Centre, West Village is an opportunity to bring Fringe-goers through the precinct to support the bricks and mortar venues who are here 365 of the year and rediscover the culture and atmosphere of this illustrious quarter.
The West Village collective includes Mercury CX, Dance Hub SA, JamFactory, The Lab, Fabric of Life, Carclew, Centre for Creative Health, Adelaide Cemetery Tours, ARTHUR, Nexus Arts, Lion Arts Factory, Imprints Booksellers, AC Arts/TAFE SA, DIVERSE-CITY, Peter Rabbit, ACE Open, QuickSteps, Unwind, 99 Gang Social, and is proudly supported by Adelaide West End Association.
