"It wasn't safe to gather as a community and that was just the nature of the pandemic," Ms Sekuless said.In February 2021, Ms Sekuless was offered a job in the public service, advising then-federal arts minister Paul Fletcher.
In June of this year, as Australia adjusted to the COVID-safe "new normal" and the new Albanese government settled in, Ms Sekuless found herself, once again, without work."Even before the pandemic, I was interested in having my own four walls and having my own space," she said.Within weeks, and thanks to the creative community evolving at Fyshwick's Dairy Road precinct, Ms Sekuless seized "an amazing opportunity to get the four walls I've always dreamed of".
"So, it's a mixed economy. It requires strong public investment as well as a vibrant private sector for Australians to enjoy the flourishing culture that we all deserve." "It's a changed environment, a different business dynamic for the performing arts sector and they're going to have to adapt to that."Bronte Batham and Chips consider themselves "lucky" to be working with Ms Sekuless at Mill Theatre.
One of those is Chips, who after years of "pushing" against boundaries in the performance arts sector, has found the Mill Theatre to be a breath of fresh air.