Our Festival Cultural Ambassadors

Rin is a West Australian born and raised, with proud Indonesian roots. When she is not full-time mum to her four awesome kids (and wifey to my top bloke Matt) herjoy lies in being The Foodie Mama on Instagram, writing reviews and photographing food.   

Spending 9.5 years abroad has enriched her appreciation for the diversity we find in people today. And since returning to Perth in 2020, she is passionate about fair and equal representation of backgrounds and culture in social media. Rin is honoured to be an Ambassador and looks forward to being part of the Perth Fest family for a fourth year. 

Bec was born and raised in Perth, with a diverse heritage encompassing both Chinese and Vietnamese roots. She is honoured and excited to be a Perth Festival Ambassador so I can help champion equity; arts and culture; and engagement to the wider community.   

With over a decade of experience in the arts (with a dual career in technology!), a strong and vocal advocate for BIPOC (Black, Indigenous and People of Colour) she brings a deep passion for creativity and supporting underrepresented communities to find their voice to tell their stories. 

Thais Carrascoza is a Brazilian-born community leader and cultural advocate based in Perth. With a background in business and finance, she transitioned her career to community services and development to pursue her passion for community empowerment, social inclusion, and cultural diversity. 

She is the Founder and President of the Brazilian Community Association WA, where she brings people together through cultural festivals, performances, workshops, and community projects that celebrate Brazilian heritage while fostering intercultural dialogue. Under her leadership, the Association has delivered sporting programs, expos, and cultural events that use art, music, and storytelling as tools for connection and belonging. 

Thais has worked with local government and not-for-profit organisations, including the City of Cockburn and ASeTTS, where she supported multicultural initiatives, community support, and programs that give voice to diverse communities. 

Recognised as a 2024 WA Training Awards winner for her achievements in community services, she is now pursuing a Master’s in Community Development at Murdoch University, where she continues to use culture, creativity, and community connections to foster inclusion and belonging across Western Australia.

Ange Yang is a Perth/ Boorloo based writer, lawyer, and soup noodle fanatic. 

Her essays and creative non-fiction have been published in Westerly, SBS, WA Good Food Guide, Broadsheet and Gourmet Traveller. 

She’s shared the joys, laughter and chaos that comes with navigating the corporate world as an Asian-Australian through performances at Blue Room Theatre, Barefaced Stories and Centre for Stories. 

She has received numerous opportunities in recognition of her craft and efforts to improve diversity in the literary and food media sectors including: the inaugural Caruso Writers-in-Residence Fellowship, a Wheeler Centre Hot Desk Fellowship and a Writing Creative Non-Fiction Scholarship from the Faber Academy at Allen and Urwin. 

As a proud Malaysian-Australian, she is interested in how food connects individuals to their heritage. She’s open to national and international collaborations that advocate for greater representation in the arts and corporate industries. Find her a place to eat @vegemitecongee. 

Muriel Hillion Toulcanon is a dynamic multi-disciplinary artist, performer, mentor and cultural advocate based in Perth. Originally from Réunion Island, Muriel specialises in Maloya, the traditional music, dance, and storytelling of her homeland. Her work blends percussion, voice, and choreography to explore identity, resilience, and community, using traditional foundations while adding a twist of contemporary style through collaborations. 

An accomplished researcher and educator, Muriel holds a PhD focusing on Maloya’s history and its powerful cultural message. She is a sessional lecturer at WAAPA, and teaches at Bandyup Women’s Prison, using music and movement to build confidence, connection, and self-expression. 

Muriel is the founder and artistic director of Salama, an award-winning ensemble that has performed at major festivals and venues across Australia and beyond, sharing the soulful rhythms of Maloya with new audiences. Deeply committed to cultural exchange and artistic growth, Muriel regularly leads workshops and residencies nationally, nurturing cross-cultural dialogue through music and dance.