QAC's new board chair to represent 300 Volunteers

Queensland Arts Council announces new board chair and state president of 300 volunteers

Queensland Arts Council (QAC), the state’s largest not-for-profit regional arts organisation, is celebrating Volunteer Week with the announcement that Ms Julie Boyd will be the new Board Chair and State President of its volunteer Local Arts Council network.

Queensland Arts Council’s Board has moved to appoint a highly qualified and experienced advocate for the arts with personal volunteer experience, to lead the organisation’s Board of Management and its volunteer network.

Ms Boyd is Queensland’s Special Representative for Trade to Japan, South Korea and Philippines. She was the first female Mayor of Mackay, elected for three consecutive terms from 1997 to 2008. A passionate advocate for regional arts in her role as Mayor she was instrumental in securing significant funding for the region’s award-winning arts venue Artspace Mackay.

Ms Boyd was first involved with QAC in 2006, when the organisation hosted the Regional Arts Australia National Conference in Mackay, attracting over 750 regional arts delegates nationwide. She then joined QAC’s Board of Directors in 2008 as the Northern Regional Director representing 14 Local Arts Councils (community arts associations) from Sarina to Atherton and out to Emerald and down to Springsure.

Ms Boyd will remain Northern Regional Director, whilst representing all 61 Local Arts Councils statewide as State President of the network. Ms Boyd says she is committed to taking on the role of QAC Chair and President of the Local Arts Council network,

‘There are around 300 volunteers who make up the Local Arts Council network, tirelessly working for the good of their communities. I have done a lot of volunteer work myself in the past, and indeed this role as Chair is a volunteer position. I strongly believe it is important to recognise the value of volunteers in Queensland’s regional arts. I feel honoured to represent so many of them through Queensland Arts Council,’ she continued.

Ms Boyd says the organisation also inspires her with its dedication to regional and remote communities and small schools.

‘I admire Queensland Arts Council’s commitment to regional communities, and have seen firsthand what this organisation can do for them. As Mayor of Mackay, I have seen how the arts really strengthen a community. I am particularly inspired by Queensland Arts Council’s dedication to providing the arts for small and remote schools that would otherwise miss out on such experiences. It’s something I want to continue to help the organisation to achieve,’ said Ms Boyd.

Ms Boyd serves on several other boards including Regional Arts Australia, Artspace Foundation, Mackay Foundation, and Urban Land Development Authority. She is also Chair of Mackay Whitsunday Regional Economic Development Corp, Mackay Area Industry Network and Chair of the Mackay Branch of Australian Institute of Management and is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Mr Rollo Nicholson, the Eastern Regional Director, was appointed Vice President, and Metropolitan Director Mr John Posselt was elected as Treasurer. Three new directors were appointed: Mr Michael Evans, who is also on the committee of the Australian Government’s Playing Australia; Mr Joseph Morfea of Magellan Petroleum Australia; and Dr Rebecca Scollen PhD (Southern Regional Director), who is Manager of Artsworx at the University of Southern Queensland.

Mr Brett Heath and Ms Heather Hale (North Western Regional Director) were also re-elected to the Board.

Image credit: Julie Boyd - Opening Ceremony The Pacific Edge - 2006 Regional Arts Australia Conference