- Published:
- Thursday 20 October 2022
Two inspiring new leaders have been appointed to the board of VicScreen, bringing even more diverse perspectives to the state’s screen development agency.
George Lekakis AO has been appointed VicScreen’s new President alongside Yorta Yorta and Dja Dja Wurrung artist and academic Tiriki Onus who joins as a new board member.
Mr Lekakis is regarded as a leader in multicultural affairs across Australia. He has spent much of his 40-year social work career in leadership roles, including being the longest serving Chair of the Victorian Multicultural Commission, a role he held for nine years.
Most recently he held the role of chair for the Victorian Interpreting and Translating Service and was the CEO of Fronditha Care – a not-for-profit multicultural aged care services provider.
Mr Lekakis takes the reins from David Hanna who has served as President since September 2020. During Mr Hanna’s term, VicScreen supported the industry through the pandemic with progams and initiatives that protected local screen jobs and kept the industry stong.
Tiriki Onus is a Yorta Yorta and Dja Dja Wurrung filmmaker, artist, curator, opera singer and academic. He is the Head of the Wilin Centre for Indigenous Arts and Cultural Development at the University of Melbourne’s Faculty of Fine Arts and Music, and also holds the roles of Deputy Dean (Place) and Associate Dean (Indigenous Development).
VicScreen’s Board of screen and business leaders set the direction for the organision with responsibility for governance, strategy and risk management. In addtion to governance matters, the Board approves funding decisions recommended by VicScreen’s committees and panels.
Liz Grainger, Leonie Morgan AM and Chris Oliver-Taylor have been reappointed to the board for a further three years. Louisa Coppel, Andrea Denholm, Mitu Bhowmick, Greg McLean, and Blake Mizzi also round out the nine person board.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Creative Industries Steve Dimopoulos
“George Lekakis has been a champion for our multicultural communities for more than four decades, while Tiriki Onus is a wonderful cultural leader as well as a celebrated artist in his own right.
“Together they bring a wealth of experience and perspectives to the VicScreen Board as we work to ensure that our screen industry reflects the diversity of the Victorian community in front and behind the screens.”
Quote attributable to George Lekakis AO
“The creative arts and screen are such important parts of our cultural makeup. Therefore, this is a wonderful opportunity to influence and support this sector.”
Quote attributable to Tiriki Onus
“Through our artistic practice we share our Culture and identity with the world. It is an honour and privilege to collaborate with such extraordinary colleagues and contribute to the wonderful work done by VicScreen.”
Media contact: Corey Croft 0468 897 764 | corey.croft@minstaff.vic.gov.au