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Board Announced for the New Centre for Books, Writing and Ideas
29 October 2008
Australia's first Centre for Books, Writing and Ideas, to be housed at the State Library of Victoria, is taking shape with an inaugural board announced by Arts Minister Lynne Kosky on Monday.
Ms Kosky announced the appointment of publisher Eric Beecher as chairperson, heading up a high profile board of literary and business leaders.
The five board directors are:
- Peter Biggs – Managing Director of Clemenger BBDO in Melbourne
- Joanna Murray-Smith – Melbourne-based playwright, screenwriter and novelist
- Mark Rubbo OAM – Managing Director of Readings Books and Music
- Gabrielle Coyne – Managing Director of Penguin Australia
- Andrew Hagger – NAB's Executive General Manager, Private and Institutional Wealth.
'This group brings the right mix of skills and experience to head up this ambitious and exciting new cultural organisation for Victoria,' Ms Kosky said.
Plans for Australia's first Centre for Books, Writing and Ideas were the cornerstone of Melbourne's bid to become a UNESCO City of Literature. Melbourne received the designation in August 2008.
Construction of the new centre in the State Library will begin by the end of the year, with the centre set to open in 2009.
Ms Kosky said the Centre for Books, Writing and Ideas will offer many benefits for Victoria's literary community and for the state more generally.
'It will provide a home for some of the Melbourne's key independent literary organisations, a performance space for public events and flexible spaces for writers and small literary projects,' Ms Kosky said.
'Importantly, the centre will provide a focal point for Victoria's diverse literary activity – with up to 1000 events expected each year, attracting around 100,000 people.'
Eric Beecher said he was honoured to take on the role of chairperson and was looking forward to working with the board to steer the development of the centre through construction, opening and initial programming.
The board is now searching for a full time director who will be responsible for marketing and developing the centre.
Find out more about UNESCO's Cities of Literature >
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