South Australia’s celebrated arts leader Heather Croall AM has been appointed as the new Director of Carrick Hill, one of the state’s most treasured cultural landmarks.
Announced today by Minister for Arts Andrea Michaels, the appointment marks an exciting new chapter for the historic Springfield estate, following a period of major revitalisation and expansion.
Croall, an acclaimed international arts CEO, artistic director and documentary producer, joins Carrick Hill after an extraordinary tenure as CEO and Artistic Director of the Adelaide Fringe. During her leadership, the festival doubled its annual ticket sales, surpassing one million tickets in 2025 — a first for any Australian festival.
From mid-February 2026, Croall will be moving on to the new role, to bring her creative energy and visionary approach to Carrick Hill’s house, gardens and event spaces, steering the venue’s evolution into a premier cultural destination.
Her arrival coincides with the success of Carrick Hill’s recent redevelopment, including the new Visitor Precinct with its expanded shop, terrace garden and kiosk, alongside Rozelle’s restaurant and function pavilion, opened in 2023 with support from the Malinauskas Government.
Minister Michaels said the appointment was a significant moment for the state’s arts sector.
“It’s fantastic to announce Heather’s appointment to this important position,” she said. “Carrick Hill is an iconic South Australian arts and cultural attraction and having worked closely with Heather during recent years, I am excited to see the vision she will bring to this incredible heritage home.”
Croall said she was honoured to take the helm of one of South Australia’s most beautiful cultural estates.
“Carrick Hill is one of South Australia’s great cultural treasures — a place where art, history and landscape come together in harmony,” she said. “I’m honoured to lead its next chapter and ensure that this remarkable estate continues to inspire new generations of visitors.”
Carrick Hill Trust Chair Scott Bryant said her appointment reflected the site’s growing national profile.
“There are few places as special as Carrick Hill,” he said. “That Carrick Hill can attract a talented South Australian arts industry leader such as Heather Croall bears testament to its potential as an iconic cultural asset.”
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