19 September 2008

Three skilled and acclaimed practitioners in their fields will join the Australia Council’s Dance Board and Music Board, Arts Minister, Peter Garrett announced today

“It gives me pleasure to announce the appointment of Mr Brian Lucas to the Dance Board. Mr Lucas excels as a solo performer, and has also been involved extensively in creative development and mentoring initiatives.”

Mr Lucas has been artist-in-residence at the Brisbane Powerhouse since 2001. He has created works for the Victorian College of the Arts, the Queensland Ballet and the Brisbane Fringe.

“I also welcome the appointments of Ms Virginia Taylor and Ms Anne Gilby to the Music Board. Both are outstanding performers who are imparting their skills and helping build Australia’s creative capital.”

Flautist Ms Virginia Taylor has been prominent on Australia’s music scene since the late 1980s. Her long-term collaboration with Australian guitarist Timothy Kain has considerably enhanced the repertoire for this instrumental combination. Ms Taylor is currently Head of Woodwind and a senior lecturer at the Australian National University’s Canberra School of Music.

Ms Anne Gilby’s oboe practice spans early and modern instruments. She has played as guest principal oboist with all major Australian orchestras as well as prominent orchestras overseas. Ms Gilby has lectured in woodwind since 1988, and is currently a lecturer in the Monash University music department, where she also coordinates their music enhancement program. She is oboe advisor for the Victorian Music Examiners Board and president of the Australasian Double Reed Society.

The Australia Council is the Australian Government's principal arts funding body. It has seven boards that administer the council’s funding to Australia’s art industry, and provide advice to the council on the development of arts policy and grant programs.

See www.australiacouncil.gov.au for further information.