Regional Arts Victoria Board and Members welcomed Tom Molyneux and Richard Hull to the Board of Management at the Annual General Meeting held online on Saturday 30 May. Outgoing Board Members Kaz Paton and Karen Whitaker-Taylor were farewelled and recognised for their contributions.
Karen joined the Board in 2015, after working in a number of different ways with Regional Arts Victoria for many years before that, including as a member of the Regional Arts Fund Panel. In her five years on the Board, Karen’s long-term involvement with, and leadership within, the Gippsland arts community has been an invaluable source of knowledge to the organisation. In addition, Karen chaired the History Committee through 2018 and 2019, helping to steer the organisation’s reflection on our 50 year history.
Kaz Paton has been Deputy-Chair for a significant portion of her nine years with Regional Arts Victoria, playing a critical role in the leadership of the organisation. Through her support of the programming and touring teams in particular, Kaz has played a vital governance role. Her participation in various touring committees, her advice to Board Members and staff, and her passion for the arts in the Geelong and wider Barwon region will be long-term legacies of her contribution. For her considerable and sustained contribution to Regional Arts Victoria, Kaz was recognised at the Annual General Meeting with Life Membership of the organisation.
Two new Board members were also appointed to the Board.
Tom Molyneux is a Gunditjmara theatre actor, director and playwright based in Geelong, Australia. He holds a Bachelor of Laws/Bachelor of Performing Arts from Monash University, a Graduate Certificate of Management from the Australian Institute of Business and is currently completing a Master of Business (Arts and Cultural Management) at Deakin University. Tom has an extensive history of work in successful independent theatre productions. He is currently the Indigenous Inclusion Coordinator at Deakin University, and has experience working in Diversity and Inclusion roles.
Richard Hull has extensive experience in theatre and the performing arts both in Australia and the UK working as a producer and administrator. This has included senior roles with a number of commercial West End theatres, Edinburgh Festival Fringe as a producer with Assembly Theatre and as independent producer with his own company, East Village Associates. He has been Head of Customer Services at Sydney Opera House, and Festival Director, at the Sydney Fringe. Since 2012, Richard has been Chief Executive Officer of the Flying Fruit Fly Circus, Australia’s National Youth Circus.
Current Board Members Jes John and Emma Jones were each re-elected for a further three year term, continuing their valuable contributions to regional arts practice.
“Both Karen and Kaz have made wonderful contributions to Regional Arts Victoria,” said Chair of Regional Arts Victoria Kath M Mainland CBE. “Though we’re sad to see them go, we know they won’t be lost to the organisation and look forward to continuing to work with them in a new way.”
“Tom and Richard are excellent additions to the Board. They bring extensive experience working in a regional Victorian arts context, with skills that complement those of our existing directors.”
The 2019 Regional Arts Victoria Annual Report is available for download at this link: rav.net.au/about/annual-reports
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Directors available for interview upon request.
Media Contact: Adam Fawcett 0409 234 618 | afawcett@rav.net.au
Image: Online AGM by Emma Jones