VPC: Farewell to Victorian Pride Centre Board Members: Tara Laursen and Jane Crawley
Michael Barnett OAM
Farewell to Victorian Pride Centre Board Members: Tara Laursen and Jane Crawley
As the Victorian Pride Centre continues to grow and evolve, we pause to honour and farewell two extraordinary Board Directors whose leadership, passion and vision have helped shape our journey: Tara Laursen (She/Her) and Jane Crawley (She/Her).
Tara Laursen
Tara has been a driving force in championing inclusive mental health services across Victoria. With deep expertise in community-based mental health and social services, she brought invaluable insight to the Pride Centre’s governance. Her advocacy extended well beyond our walls – as a member of the Victorian Government’s LGBTIQA+ Taskforce Health and Wellbeing Working Group and the Diverse Communities’ Mental Health & Wellbeing Working Group, Tara provided strategic advice to improve the responsiveness of health services to LGBTIQA+ communities and diverse populations.
Tara described the Pride Centre as a “game-changer”, a place for connection, understanding, and transformation. Her legacy is one of compassion, inclusion and systemic change, and her impact will continue to be felt across the sector.
Jane Crawley
Jane’s connection to the Pride Centre began long before her formal Board appointment. As Co-Chair of the Community Reference Group (2018–2020) and a member of the Building and Activation Sub-Committee (2017–2018), she played a pivotal role in shaping the Centre’s foundations. Her leadership in the creative industries and most recently as Executive Director at Creative Victoria brought strategic depth and a strong commitment to community-led initiatives.
Jane called the Centre, “a beacon, signalling the collective strength, beauty and success of Victoria’s queer communities.” Her belief in community ownership and activism continues to inspire our work and vision.
We extend our heartfelt thanks to Tara and Jane for their unwavering dedication, wisdom and generosity. Their contributions have left an indelible mark on the Victorian Pride Centre and the wider LGBTIQA+ communities we serve. As they step away from their Board roles, we know their influence will continue to ripple through the sector and beyond.
We wish them both the very best in their next chapters and look forward to seeing them around the centre, now as cherished friends.