The Albanese Labor Government has today announced the appointment of Distinguished Professor Larissa Behrendt AO, and the reappointments of Ms Alexandra Dimos and Mr Stephen Found to the Australia Council Board, and the appointment of Ms Catherine Haridy to the Music Australia Council, for four-year terms.
These appointments continue the strong industry representation of this Government's important arts and music investment bodies.
The Australia Council Board provides leadership to Creative Australia - the Government's principal arts investment and advisory body.
The Music Australia Council provides strategic direction for Music Australia in its vital work to support and grow Australia's contemporary music sector.
Minister for the Arts, Tony Burke, said the appointments ensure that industry experts continue to play a central role in setting the course for Australia's thriving arts and music sectors.
"Larissa, Alexandra, Stephen and Cath each bring in-depth experience across various parts of the arts sector including literature, philanthropy, theatre and music.
"Their expertise reflects the richness, diversity and strength of the arts in Australia.
"Creative Australia and Music Australia continues to champion and invest in the arts, benefiting all Australians."
These appointments will further advance the important work of Creative Australia and continue the implementation of Revive.
Australia Council Board appointments
Professor Larissa Behrendt AO is a Euahleyai/Gamillaroi academic, lawyer, award-winning author and filmmaker. She is also a Distinguished Professor and Laureate Fellow at the University of Technology Sydney, where she established the research arm of the Jumbunna Institute, a leading Indigenous-led research centre. From November 2024, she will also be Chair of the Council of the National Library of Australia.
Professor Behrendt has extensive experience in Indigenous law, policy, creative arts, education and research. She is a Fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences in Australia and of the Australian Academy of the Humanities, and a Foundation Fellow of the Australian Academy of Law. Professor Behrendt was awarded an Order of Australia in 2020 for her work in Indigenous education, the law and the arts, and received the Human Rights Medal in 2021 from the Australian Human Rights Commission. She was also awarded the 2009 NAIDOC Person of the Year and 2011 New South Wales Australian of the Year.
Ms Alexandra Dimos is currently the Managing Director of the Nunn Dimos Foundation and Nunn Family Investments, and Director of Philanthropy Australia. A committed volunteer, Ms Dimos is actively involved in charity organisations and philanthropic causes, primarily in the arts.
She was a Director on the State Theatre Company of South Australia Board and Foundation, an Executive Director of the Advertiser Foundation and Founder and Director of environmental company Flow Environmental Management. Ms Dimos has been a member of the Australia Council Board since April 2022, as well as a member of the Audit and Risk Committee.
Mr Stephen Found owns and operates Foundation Theatres, which manages the Capitol Theatre, Sydney Lyric, and Foundry Theatre. He was previously the founder of Bytecraft Entertainment, a manufacturer and supplier of theatre technology, and has worked in the theatre industry in Australia and internationally for more than 40 years. With a passionate interest in the arts, Mr Found is constantly looking for ways to support the vibrant live performance industry in Australia.
Mr Found is the Chairman of PRG Australia, a leader in delivering exceptional live entertainment experiences, and has served on the boards of Creative Partnerships Australia, Australian Business Arts Foundation, Australian Centre for Moving Image, and Rally Australia. He has been a member of the Australia Council Board since March 2022.
Music Australia Council appointment
Ms Catherine Haridy is the founder and Director of Catherine Haridy Management, and the current Chief Executive Officer of the Australian Music Centre.
Ms Haridy's previous industry roles include A&R Coordinator for Warner Music Australia and A&R Manager for Festival Mushroom Records - signing and project managing some of Australia's most successful artists.
Ms Haridy has been a strong advocate for the Australian music sector through her previous role as Executive Director for the Association of Artists Managers, as well as serving on the Boards of Support Act, Music Victoria and the Community Broadcasting Foundation and a founding director of the Music Producers and Engineers Guild of Australia.
