New Board for Brisbane Festival

Arts Minister Ros Bates today (July 11) announced a new board for Major Brisbane Festivals Pty Ltd (Brisbane Festival) as part of the Government’s drive to make the city a national hub for arts and culture.

“I am pleased to announce that Chair Chris Freeman has agreed to again serve in this role, joined by continuing board members Ed Haysom, Philip Bacon, Anna Marsden and Dr David Watson,” Ms Bates said.

“I also welcome new members Peter Hyland, Ann-Maree Moon, Bernard Ponting and Michelle Pillonel.

“This year’s Brisbane Festival (8-29 September) is just around the corner, so the new board will soon be in the midst of one of the largest arts celebrations in the State.”

Ms Bates thanked the retiring members for their work in making the festival a success and said the board of Brisbane Festival would be uncompromising in its commitment to bringing the best of the international arts world to Brisbane.

“This signature festival presents home-grown talent alongside artists and companies from around the globe,” Ms Bates said.

“Events such as Brisbane Festival also support the Government’s commitment to enhance Brisbane’s growing reputation as a destination to experience innovative, exciting and inspiring arts and cultural events.”

The LNP Government is committed to growing a four pillar economy in which cultural tourism plays a critical role in generating employment and creating flow-on benefits for local retailers and other business operators.

Brisbane Festival is jointly owned by the State of Queensland and Brisbane City Council and aims to position Brisbane as a key festival destination.

Summary of Brisbane Festival board members:

Major Brisbane Festivals Board

Chris Freeman AM (Chair) is the Chair of Watpac Limited in Queensland, an Adjunct Professor at the University of Queensland and board member of the Australia Council’s Major Performing Arts Board. He has held senior roles in the property development industry.
Ed Haysom is Managing Director of Haysom Architects with specific expertise in architectural design and masterplanning, design development and interior design.
Philip Bacon AM is the owner of Philip Bacon Galleries in Brisbane. He was a member of the board of Opera Australia and is a Founder Benefactor of the Queensland Art Gallery Foundation and Perpetual Benefactor of the Foundation of the National Gallery of Australia.
Anna Marsden is Chief Executive Officer of the Queensland Ballet and Chair of the Management Committee of Ausdance Queensland. She is a board director of Brisbane Powerhouse and has previously been a board member of the Queensland Artworkers Alliance and Rock n Roll Circus (now CIRCA).
Anne-Maree Moon is a specialist in entertainment advertising and marketing. She is an associate director with national agency, ACMN Marketing and Advertising and served for a decade in executive roles with the Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC).
Dr David Watson has broad experience in accounting and financial management and has published extensively in the areas of governance and public accountability. He is the Chair of Translational Research Institute Pty Ltd.
Bernard Ponting is a solicitor of the Supreme Court of Queensland. His practice covers a wide range of legal areas with an emphasis on commercial, corporate and administrative law matters, and litigation in those areas.
Michelle Pillonel is General Manager Corporate Affairs Queensland, Echo Entertainment Group, and manages government relations and media management. She has more than 10 years’ experience in senior executive roles in the gaming entertainment industry and more than 20 years’ experience in the hospitality/tourism industry, in both hotels and casino entertainment properties.
Peter Hyland is Regional Director for the Queensland office of Urbis, Australia’s largest private sector urban planning and economic advisory firm. He has worked on projects throughout Australia, the Asia-Pacific, the UK, Europe and the Middle East.

[ENDS] 11 July 2012

Media contact: Daniel Wood 0400 902 655