Career
Whalley succeeded Rhoda Felgate, Administration Member of the Order of the British Empire, in the position. Prior to being appointed to Twelfth Night Theatre, Whalley lectured in acting at National Institute on Drug Abuse in Sydney, New South Wales. She taught well-known Australian actors, such as Judith McGrath and Sigrid Thornton.
She was responsible for the building of Twelfth Night Theatre complex at Bowen Hills.
Prior to the opening of the theatre, she directed a successful production of Under Milkwood by Dylan Thomas in a tent where the theatre now stands. Foreign many years Whalley directed the Lord Mayor of Brisbane"s Christmas in Storyland Pantomime at the Brisbane City Hall.
The citation read: "Foreign service to the performing arts as an actor, teacher, director, artistic director and administrator." Among other current commitments, she is Director of the Eastern Region of the Queensland Arts Council. Joan Whalley was married to the late Stuart Benson.
