Library Board President succession

Following the announcement of Christine Christian’s planned retirement last year, the Minister for Creative Industries, the Hon Colin Brooks MP, has announced the appointment of Helen Silver AO as the new President of the Library Board of Victoria.

Helen Silver is an extraordinary leader with a wealth of experience at the helm of major organisations that serve the Victorian public. Her experience and understanding of public institutions will be a tremendous asset to the Library. Most recently, she was commissioned by the Victorian Government to lead the independent review into public sector cost efficiencies and expenditure reform.

Christine Christian’s legacy

Christine Christian AO’s legacy at State Library Victoria will be felt for generations. After more than a decade of service – including five years as President of the Library Board of Victoria – she leaves an institution that is stronger, more ambitious and more widely enjoyed than ever.

Today, State Library Victoria is the third busiest in the world, welcoming more than 3 million visitors last year, and recognised as one of the most beautiful libraries in the world.

Christine has been the driving force behind many landmark initiatives that have strengthened the Library’s world-class reputation.

She oversaw the establishment of the Victorian Indigenous Research Centre in 2021, and the launch of the Library’s first ever Indigenous Gallery, in 2023. Its inaugural exhibition,  beruk, celebrating William Barak, was a defining moment – acknowledging history while creating space for truth-telling and cultural pride.

She introduced the celebrated Salon After D'Arc series to engage literary-minded young professionals with the Library and to delve deeply into topics of prevailing interest. The pioneering Women Writers Fund was established to elevate the voices of women writers in the Library’s collection.

Christine was instrumental in the re-opening of the North (Red) Rotunda gallery, showcasing significant Victorian artworks to the public for the first time, reinforcing the Library’s role as custodian of the State’s cultural treasures.

She inaugurated the Redmond Barry Society Dinner to honour Library donors and supporters whose generosity safeguards the collection for generations to come.

Her most recent initiative, the Dome 2030 campaign, will preserve and restore the ascending dome galleries for future generations.

Christine leaves behind a Library that is stronger, more confident and more relevant than ever – a global cultural destination, a trusted civic institution and a place where millions gather each year to research, read, learn, debate, explore history and simply belong.

State Library Victoria acknowledges and thanks Christine Christian AO for her enormous contribution and care for our Library during her term as President.

Helen Silver AO

Helen Silver AO has dedicated her career to ensuring strong governance in major public and private sector organisations.

She was the CEO and Secretary of Victoria’s Department of Premier and Cabinet between 2008-2013, where she led the state through major events such as the Black Saturday bushfires. She also led the arts portfolio and Arts Victoria – the government’s creative body now known as Creative Victoria.

Alongside board and executive roles in the insurance, banking and infrastructure sectors, Ms Silver also has a long-standing connection to creative industries. She served as the Chair of the Australian Children’s Television Foundation and in board roles at the Victorian Arts Centre Trust and Melbourne Symphony Orchestra.

Helen currently Chairs the Victorian Managed Insurance Authority while also serving as a Non-Executive Director of Crown Resorts and PEXA.

State Library Victoria welcomes Helen Silver AO as our new President.