Gael has a long history of involvement in the Newcastle arts, receiving an OAM for services to the Arts and Community in 2014. Originally trained as a librarian, she is widely known in the Newcastle community through her involvement as Manager at von Bertouch Galleries. Gael is a former valuer for the Commonwealth tax incentive for the arts, a University of Newcastle collection catalogue/valuer, an Independent Art Valuations – private collections NSW. Gael has been a guest curator for the 2005 Margatet Olley exhibition NRAG ,the 2005 Still Life exhibition at Lake Macquarie Art Gallery and since 2010, the Curator of Collectors Care Exhibition for the Samaratins..

Gael’s involvement in arts boards and committees includes the Art Advisory board, Newcastle Art Gallery, Founding member of the Newcastle Ceramic Group (Back to Back Gallery), Newcastle Art Gallery and secretary of the Newcastle Gallery Society since 1976.

Gael brings to the board skills in management, decision making and implementation, team building, planning, event management, marketing and media, and stakeholder engagement. Her great knowledge of the Newcastle Art Gallery, Society and Foundation, and the Newcastle community is invaluable.