Michael Rolfe, Chief Executive Officer

Michael has spent more than three decades advocating for the arts and has led M&G NSW’s strategic contributions to the sector for over a decade. Prior to his time at M&G NSW, Michael was the inaugural Director of Hazelhurst Regional Gallery & Arts Centre (1999-2010); Director of Mosman Art Gallery (1998-99), and Director of Tamworth Regional Gallery (1989-1998).

Commencing with M&G at a time of change Michael has been responsible for shaping the organisation into the responsive, focussed and respected entity it is today. One that has effectively supported the diverse and essentially different components of a dynamic sector. Under his leadership staff have excelled in the delivery of programs across touring, skills development, museum practice, Aboriginal cultural development, devolved funding, research, advocacy and delivery of web-based resources.

Michael has closely worked with local and state governments, navigating the varied terrain of small and large institutions – across both metropolitan and regional areas – to create better collaboration and advocacy in the arts sector. Michael leaves M&G NSW in good shape, with a significant volunteer training partnership with TAFE NSW and Create NSW soon to be announced and imminent roll-out of a state-wide collection digitisation program.

‘It’s going to be an incredibly busy next phase for M&G NSW, and I wish my successor all the best for the future,’ Rolfe said.

Board and staff wish Michael all the best for retirement and hope he will be able to enjoy that trip to Italy (via Spain, South Korea and Japan) soon!

Read Michael’s exit interview on Artshub here.

Tamara Lavrencic, Museum Programs & Collections Manager

Tamara has dedicated her career to caring for collections. She studied at the University of Canberra and Griffith University before going on to work at the State Library of Queensland and State Library of NSW. Tamara worked at Historic Houses of NSW (now Sydney Living Museums) from 1997-2011 and in 2013 was inducted to the Australian Institute for the Conservation of Cultural Material (AICCM) Hall of Fame.

Tamara began her time at M&G NSW in 2012 as the Museum Programs & Collections Manager. In this role, she has overseen the Standards Program and Regional Museum Advisor Program, lending her expert advice to museums across the state. Tamara has represented M&G NSW across the state, including visits to New England, the Northern Rivers, the South East and the far West. Tamara has also been involved as a member of the National Standards Taskforce and provided advisory services to many different organisations.

We wish Tamara the very best and hope that retirement gives her adequate time to take on reading many new books!