Our Staff
Merilyn Brend
CEO and Principal Teacher
Merilyn Brend Robinson is a highly experienced educator in both drama and music, teaching across secondary and primary levels. She is the owner of MBCTA Youth Theatre and was a VCE private provider. For over 20 years. Her professional background includes work as an actor, agent and a dialogue coach, contributing a broad skill set to her current role. Merilyn is actively engaged with all stakeholders of ACDA, ensuring effective collaboration and communication throughout the organisation. She has developed the curriculum, having authored the Learner Manual that complement the courses. In addition, Merilyn has written all Unit of Competency assessment materials for the college. Merilyn holds a Certificate IV in Training and Assessment (TAE) and a Certificate IV in Community Service (psychological first aid), supporting her commitment to educational excellence and student development. The course has undergone multiple reaccreditations, with continual updates to ensure alignment with current industry practices. These improvements also address the ongoing demand for the program, embracing technological advancements and enhancing transferable employability skills.
Bill Robinson
CEO and Technical Adviser
Bill Robinson is a co-founder of the college and serves as the Chief Executive Officer, as well as the technical advisor. Bill’s primary responsibilities focus on the technical side of college operations, including camera work, lighting and editing. His practical knowledge and extensive on-set experience within the industry provide significant support to the college’s functions. In addition, Bill plays an active role in strategic decision-making, contributing to the overall direction and success of the college.
Nikki Wellington
Administration
Nikki works in College Administration and brings a diverse professional background spanning media, advertising, the arts, and the community sector. She has previously worked with Channel 7 and Austereo, as well as in advertising sales and promotions, theatrical make-up and face painting, and art management and curation.
In her current role, Nikki manages the day-to-day operations of ACDA. Her responsibilities include overseeing internal systems for attendance and welfare reporting, processing student enrolments, and generating reports. She liaises closely with students, school VET and VASS coordinators, and parents to ensure effective communication and support.
Nikki also contributes to the strategic direction of the college, particularly in marketing and promotion, where she develops advertising and publicity materials to raise awareness of the course.
Karen Haymes
Administration
Karen works in College Administration. Karen’s background is as a trainer and assessor in the TAFE system. She manages the Standards 2015, mapping from AQTF 2007 and the VRQA conditions to the Standards 2015 and now is managing the transitions to RTO Standards 2025. She contributes to the drafting edits of the Learners Manual and workbooks and for the maintenance of student information and Policies and Procedures on ACDA’s online Quality Management System. She creates and updates Policies and Procedures, contributes to the enrolments of students internally and online, verifies student USI numbers and adds student subjects, results, subject and program completions for AVETMISS Data. She contributes to the creation and recording of student certificates and SOA’s and contributes to the emailing of promotional material to schools. She is responsible for the creating, monitoring of purchasing contracts and fee invoices sent to home schools. Karen maintains and collects staff data and matrices.
Casual Staff
Danaë Grieef
Administration/ Trainer
Danaë is a Melbourne-based filmmaker working as a Production Designer and Producer. With 4 years of experience in the film industry, Danaë has worked across these roles on over 14 feature films, and countless shorts, music videos, TVCs, web series and other projects. Danaë is developing a career in shaping compelling narratives and bringing creative projects to life, crafting immersive and visually captivating films and stories. Graduating from her Honours in Film and Television, Danaë quickly built up a folio of design and producing work across a diverse range of genres and styles, with a particular reputation in horror. Danaë is known to be a hard worker, balancing artistic vision with practical execution, meticulous research and planning and creative problem solving whilst keeping the integrity of work. Danaë is eager to take on new challenges and craft sets and spaces that captivate and inspire audiences worldwide. Recent projects of note include feature films, “Westgate” (Producer, Exec Producer) released in 2025, “Data Creep” (Producer, Production Designer, Costume Designer), and “Interloper” (Production Designer, Costume Designer, SFX), both of which are set to release in 2027. Danaë is an administrative assistant and trainer for the college. She also performs as an Industry guest in the course speaking at excursions due to her experience in the Film and TV industry.
Alex Lowes
Post-Production
The skills that all admin staff bring to the college are enhanced computer skills, including web design, marketing and advertising acumen, good organisational skills and an ability to communicate with students, parents, teachers and school personnel.
ACDA
Australian College of Dramatic Arts is now open for enrolments across Victoria, Australia. If you would like more information please browse the website or to enrol contact your VET Co-ordinator at your home school.
