The Hon Rod Kemp was Minister for the Arts and Sport from Friday 23 November 2001 to Tuesday 30 January 2007. This site is available for archival purposes only.

Resignations of Graeme Murphy and Janet Vernon

The Minister for the Arts and Sport, Senator Rod Kemp, said today’s resignation of Graeme Murphy and Janet Vernon as Artistic Director and Associate Artistic Director of Sydney Dance Company respectively in many ways marks the end of an era.

“Graeme Murphy and Janet Vernon have both made very important contributions to the artistic direction of Sydney Dance Company over three decades,” Senator Kemp said.

“Over the years, Graeme and Janet have together brought us many important works. To name just a few - the 2001 production of Tivoli for the Australian Ballet and Sydney Dance Company, 2002’s Swan Lake for the Australian Ballet, and 2005’s very successful production of Grand.

“I congratulate them both on their artistic achievements and am pleased Graeme and Janet will continue to work with the company which they have been instrumental in creating,” Senator Kemp said.

The Australian Government is a long term supporter of Sydney Dance Company and contemporary dance generally. As a major performing arts company, Sydney Dance Company receives significant financial support, in the order of $1.5 million annually.

In addition, the Australian Government provided a one-off payment of $600,000 in 2005-06 to assist the Sydney Dance Company to stabilise its financial position.

The Australia Council will continue to work with the Sydney Dance Company to help secure its future.

“The Howard Government has significantly increased support for the arts,” Senator Kemp said.

MELBOURNE

13 July 2006