New Australia Council Chairman
29 April 2002 at 1:04 pm
The Sydney Morning Herald has described David Gonski as
“the can-do man of Australia”. “Want a new director for your board? Gonski can do. Want a new chairman for your arts foundation? Gonski can do.”
Prominent businessman, lawyer and corporate adviser David Gonski is the new Chairman of the Federal Government’s arts funding body, the Australia Council.
His new position was announced jointly by the Minister for the Arts, Senator Richard Alston and the Minister for Arts and Sport Senator Rob Kemp.
Senator Alston said that as Chairman of Investec Australia Limited and Coca-Cola Amatil Limited, and a director of a number of other leading Australian companies, Gonski will bring a wealth of corporate experience and a distinguished background to the Australia Council.
Currently the President of the Board of Trustees for the Art Gallery of NSW and Chairman of the National Institute of Dramatic Art, Mr Gonski was also a member of the Nugent Review Committee into the major performing arts organisations in Australia.
In 1996 he conducted a Review of Commonwealth Assistance to the Australian Film Industry (The Gonski Report) and was previously Chairman of the Bundanon Trust and Film Australia Limited.
Senator Kemp added that having been involved in a number of arts disciplines, Gonski’s passion for the arts combined with his business skills make him ideally placed to take over the leadership of the Commonwealth’s principal arts funding body.
The very busy Gonski said he is delighted to have been invited to take up the position. Gonski replaces Dr Terry Cutler.
If you would like to offer your opinion on this high profile appointment why not join our Pro Bono Australia on-line Forum at probonoaustralia.com.au.
