Our committee

Sonia Holland - Secretary

Sonia is the current Beaumaris Modern secretary and enjoys being part of a community oriented organisation. She has lived in Bayside for most of her life and has always admired the variety of architecture in the area as she believes we all deserve to live in an architecturally diverse neighbourhood.

Sonia particularly admires MCM style architecture and has further developed a passion for all things MCM while living in and renovating a MCM home. She loves the community feel and friendliness of Beaumaris and likes to catch up with family and friends in the local parks, beaches, cafe’s and restaurants.

Julie Poulter: Communication

Julie is an advertising creative director with a passion for vintage clothing. She enjoys sharing her love of mid-century fashion, and has exhibited parts of her collection at the Melbourne Museum and the National Gallery of Victoria. Julie is also an ambassador for the Frocktober charity, which uses the power of fashion to raise funds for ovarian cancer. There is never enough room in her wardrobe.

Denise Rook - Treasurer

It all started in 1997 with a car. A 1956 Buick Century to be exact. Then it was the dancing - swing, balboa and the bands… out five nights a week! Mid 50’s clothes were hunted down - eBay was never busier delivering suits, dresses and, of course, the ubiquitous Bakelite bangles.

To live the lifestyle the house was next on the list. After spending 18 months looking and being pipped at the post in Beaumaris, we moved to Nth Balwyn, spending 12 years in our architect designed house by John ‘Jack’ Tipping.

However, Beaumaris was calling and in 2016 we settled into our mid-century home. Meeting likeminded people with the birth of the Beaumaris Modern group and here I am now living the life!!

Christine Henderson - President and Events

It's no surprise real estate is Christine’s chosen profession. From an early age, architecture excited her, especially older homes. Contemporary is beautiful, but mid-century modern homes have always tugged at her heartstrings with their warmth and simplicity.

Growing up in Bayside, Christine’s dad had the hardware store in the Beaumaris Concourse for over 20 years, and that is how she came to appreciate the areas’ unique architecture and the multitude of artists and creatives who lived in and loved Beaumaris.

The greatest pleasure Christine gets in selling an MCM home is finding a buyer who is just as passionate about the era as she is….a custodian that will love, restore and honour the home.

Being on committee supports her passion for saving these homes for our future generations to appreciate this important era of Australian history.

Wilko Doehring - Planning

Wilko is a Melbourne-based architect with over 25 years of experience in heritage architecture, both in Australia and internationally. Originally from Germany, he has a deep appreciation for modernist design, particularly the Bauhaus movement, and its influence on Australia’s mid-century architecture.

As a committee member of Beaumaris Modern, Wilko offers expert advice on the renovation and restoration of mid-century homes. His approach blends a respect for architectural heritage with practical solutions for homeowners, ensuring that design excellence and neighbourhood character are preserved while meeting modern needs.

James Stephenson: Partnerships

James grew up in Beaumaris in the 1960s and 70s. He always loved the natural landscape of the area and in subsequent years developed an appreciation of the mid-century houses.

His career in art, design and education enhanced his knowledge of MCM design. After 40 years away, it was time to return to Beaumaris to restore an original ‘Beauie classic’.

This house is the perfect setting to house James’ extensive collection of vintage Australian décor. A bonus of moving here was meeting like-minded people and it was a natural step to join the Beaumaris Modern committee, with his partner Bronwyn.

Jackie Fish - Vice President and Events

Jackie has lived in Beaumaris for close to 25 years and has been involved in Beaumaris Modern since its inception in 2017.  As a lover of all things mid century Jackie has lived in, and sympathetically renovated, two Beaumaris MCM homes, both of which have featured in Beaumaris Modern books 1 and 2.

Having been on the general committee, held the Treasurer's role, and been integral in the events co-ordination over the past three years, Jackie is now Vice President of Beaumaris Modern.

By day, she is a television commercials producer but by night a tap dancer with a passion for Australian contemporary art.

Jo Pritchard - Communication Design

Jo is the Visual Design Manager at Melbourne Museum, overseeing the delivery of communication design across all the galleries and associated museum activities.

During her career, Jo has worked on many exhibitions and has designed books, brand identities and magazines titles. She employs her design skills to assist Beaumaris Modern in the creation of brochures, merchandise and other materials.

Jo and her partner (along with various children and dogs!) have lived in their heritage-listed Beaumaris home for over 20 years. Designed in 1960 by talented local architect John Baird, the renovation of the house and establishment of the garden has been a labour of love.

Fiona Austin - Founder

Fiona launched the Beaumaris Modern Instagram and Facebook page over twelve years ago after researching and documenting Beaumaris MCM houses. That research culminated in two books: Beaumaris Modern 1&2.

Fiona was founding President of Beaumaris Modern which was established seven years ago as a not-for-profit community group,

Fiona, and her husband Craig, have enjoyed raising their two sons in Beaumaris as well as restoring and renovating two Beaumaris MCM houses.

After her thirty five-year interior design career, Fiona has now retired to continue with her painting practice in addition to contributing to Beaumaris Modern as a committee member.

Elise Dowling: Secretary

A child of an antique collector, Elise’s appreciation for the Vintage fare saw her develop a love for all things Mid-century modern.  A collector at heart with a keen eye, Elise has procured pieces of furniture/art to decorate her own Beaumaris MCM piece of paradise, currently undergoing renovation/restoration.  Joining the Beaumaris Modern committee was the natural next step in enjoying her passions of MCM with like-minded others.

Bronwyn Moline: Partnerships

Bronwyn grew up in an MCM house, without realising it. She loved the polished floor boards, the floor to ceiling windows, the Castlemaine slate and most of all, the pink and black bathroom; the seeds were sown.

Fast forward to 2018 and Bronwyn and her partner James bought their own MCM house in Beaumaris, which they have lovingly restored to its 50s glory. Bronwyn loves living in Beaumaris; walking along the beach and swimming in the bay as frequently as she can. She also enjoys forming connections with the Beaumaris Modern partners in the role that she shares with James on the committee.