At its recent Annual General Meeting, and following a successful term re-casting the governance structures of M&G NSW, Oliver Frankel stepped down from the Board and as Chair. The board voted unanimously to elect Jennifer Barrett as the new chair and Frank Zaknich as Deputy Chair.
As we prepare to move office and re-cast ourselves, Jennifer Barrett brings a new focus. She represents a long term connection to sector wide aspirations and to our programs and services.
Oliver Frankel’s achievements focused on ensuring that our governance reflects best practice. It involved the adoption of a revised (and updated) constitution, the establishment of a Finance & Risk Management Committee, review of policies, internal procedures and controls. Oliver’s eye for detail and passion for technology also successfully guided the development, launch and ongoing success of our new(ish) web and social media presence.
As we prepare to move office and re-cast ourselves, Jennifer Barrett brings a new focus. She represents a long term connection to sector wide aspirations and to our programs and services.
Between 2000 and 2011, Jennifer was Director of Museum Studies and is currently Pro Dean (Academic) in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences at the University of Sydney.
She has published and curated projects on museums, culture, art, and the public sphere. Her current research examines museums, human rights and the concept of universalism. Her monograph, Museums and the Public Sphere, was published in 2011 (Wiley-Blackwell) and her co-authored monograph Australian Artists in the Contemporary Museum (with Jacqueline Millner, Ashgate Publishing) was published in 2014.
Frank Zaknich has extensive experience in local government having worked in rural, regional and metropolitan councils in NSW and SA. He holds qualifications in business administration (Executive MBA), management, urban and regional planning. Frank is currently General Manager at Albury City Council.
Liz Gilroy also stepped down from the Board. In doing so, she cited a return to living and working in Sydney as a disconnection for her involvement as a proper reflection of regional and volunteer museum concerns. Liz’s tenure displayed the real passion she brought to museum and cultural heritage activity in Port Macquarie and the wider mid-north coast region. Her sage advice in this area will be missed.
An in-depth interview with Jennifer is planned for a forthcoming issue of our Alert! So stay tuned, she will articulate our way forward and an ambition to further support the museums and galleries of NSW.
Michael Rolfe
CEO M&G NSW
