Senator the Hon. George Brandis S.C.

Minister for the Arts and Sport

The Minister for the Arts and Sport, Senator George Brandis, today announced a number of new appointments to the various boards of the Australia Council.

Kim Mooney has been appointed to the Music Board, Stephen Peoples has been appointed to the Dance Board, and Steven Alderton and Michael Zavros to the Visual Arts Board.

Senator Brandis said he was delighted these talented and experienced individuals will be contributing their skills and knowledge to various Australia Council boards, each of them for a three year term.

“These appointments add to the diversity, knowledge and experience of the Australia Council’s boards, adding new energy and vision for the future,” Senator Brandis said.

Kim Mooney is a former musical director at the Australian Opera Studio. He has a long history of service to Australia’s music sector, and has worked in numerous countries around the world as an artistic administrator and conductor.

Stephen Peoples brings expertise in management and policy development. He is currently the manager of Member Services at Tourism and Transport Forum Australia and for over ten years worked as a policy and research advisor in New South Wales.

Steven Alderton has an extensive history of involvement with various art galleries throughout Australia, having served as curator of the Wagga Wagga City Art Gallery and as a Manager of the Bundaberg Arts Centre. He is currently the director of the Lismore Regional Gallery.

Michael Zavros is a successful visual artist who has worked in tertiary education, specialising in painting and printmaking. He has been a finalist in the Archibald Prize for each of the last three years.

The Australia Council is the Australian Government’s principal arts funding body. Visit www.ozco.gov.au for further information on the Australia Council.

Media contact: Travis Bell 0448 950 248

16 October 2007
145/07