The Friends Board has launched a monthly series of late-afternoon talks on topical issues, to be held in the State Library's Hetzel Lecture Theatre on the 4th Tuesday of each month from 5.30 - 6.30 pm (unless otherwise indicated).
The initial series will have a North Terrace focus. Our speakers will be luminaries from many of our neighbouring institutions. We refer to this over the coming months as our Proximity Round.
The initial series will have a North Terrace focus. Our speakers will be luminaries from many of our neighbouring institutions. We refer to this over the coming months as our Proximity Round.
Proximity Round 4 - Geoff Strempel - Tues 24 September
Geoff Strempel has spent most of his distinguished career working in libraries or related agencies. Most recently, since 2018, he has been the highly successful Director of the State Library of SA in challenging circumstances. Previously he managed the Public Library Services for 10 years where he led significant changes in the State's public library network. Geoff retires in October this year.
PROXIMITY ROUND PROGRAM FOR 2024
RHANA DEVENPORT - June 25
Rhana Devenport ONZM has a wealth of experience in visual arts management in both Australia and New Zealand. Most recently, she has been the Director of the Auckland Art Gallery from 2013 - 18 and was then appointed as the Director of the Art Gallery of SA. She has most successfully raised the profile and activities of this our pre-eminent art gallery. When her contract expires in July 2024, she will be moving to Sydney.
DOUGLAS GAUTIER - July 23
Douglas Gautier AM has been the CEO and Artistic Director of the Adelaide Festival Centre since his appointment in 2006. Prior to that he has had significant international experience in media, tourism and the arts, including leading the world-recognised Hong Kong Arts Festival. He has initiated a most successful program-led revival throughout his almost 20 years in Adelaide.
DAVID GAIMSTER - August 27
David Gaimster BA PhD is a British archaeologist and widely-experienced museum executive. A much-published scholar in relation to medieval and early modern European archaeology, he was the Director of the Auckland War Memorial Museum from 2017 - 2023 and was then appointed Director of the South Australian Museum in June, 2023.
GEOFF STREMPEL - September 24
Geoff Strempel has spent most of his distinguished career working in libraries or related agencies. Most recently, since 2018, he has been the highly successful Director of the State Library of SA in challenging circumstances. Previously he managed the Public Library Services for 10 years where he led significant changes in the State's public library network. Geoff retires in October this year.
CATHERINE BRANSON - October 29
Hon Catherine Branson AC KC has been the Chancellor of The University of Adelaide since 2020. She was formerly a judge of the Federal Court, and President of the Australian Human Rights Commission. She holds an Honorary Doctor of Laws from Flinders University for services to law, and an Honorary Doctorate of Letters from Macquarie University for her advocacy for human rights. In 2018, she was invested as a Companion of the Order of Australia (AC) in the Queen's Birthday Honours.
DIANE DIXON - November 26
Diane Dixon MBA GAICD is the State Project Lead for Lot Fourteen. Diane is responsible for managing the delivery, curation, operations and governance of the 7ha innovation district. She is also the State’s lead for innovation districts and economic zones to establish South Australia as a global leader in innovation and economic outcomes. She is currently leading the delivery of a new coordinated state-wide framework to leverage and drive the outcomes from all the state’s innovation places.
PROXIMITY ROUND PROGRAM FOR 2024
RHANA DEVENPORT - June 25
Rhana Devenport ONZM has a wealth of experience in visual arts management in both Australia and New Zealand. Most recently, she has been the Director of the Auckland Art Gallery from 2013 - 18 and was then appointed as the Director of the Art Gallery of SA. She has most successfully raised the profile and activities of this our pre-eminent art gallery. When her contract expires in July 2024, she will be moving to Sydney.
DOUGLAS GAUTIER - July 23
Douglas Gautier AM has been the CEO and Artistic Director of the Adelaide Festival Centre since his appointment in 2006. Prior to that he has had significant international experience in media, tourism and the arts, including leading the world-recognised Hong Kong Arts Festival. He has initiated a most successful program-led revival throughout his almost 20 years in Adelaide.
DAVID GAIMSTER - August 27
David Gaimster BA PhD is a British archaeologist and widely-experienced museum executive. A much-published scholar in relation to medieval and early modern European archaeology, he was the Director of the Auckland War Memorial Museum from 2017 - 2023 and was then appointed Director of the South Australian Museum in June, 2023.
GEOFF STREMPEL - September 24
Geoff Strempel has spent most of his distinguished career working in libraries or related agencies. Most recently, since 2018, he has been the highly successful Director of the State Library of SA in challenging circumstances. Previously he managed the Public Library Services for 10 years where he led significant changes in the State's public library network. Geoff retires in October this year.
CATHERINE BRANSON - October 29
Hon Catherine Branson AC KC has been the Chancellor of The University of Adelaide since 2020. She was formerly a judge of the Federal Court, and President of the Australian Human Rights Commission. She holds an Honorary Doctor of Laws from Flinders University for services to law, and an Honorary Doctorate of Letters from Macquarie University for her advocacy for human rights. In 2018, she was invested as a Companion of the Order of Australia (AC) in the Queen's Birthday Honours.
DIANE DIXON - November 26
Diane Dixon MBA GAICD is the State Project Lead for Lot Fourteen. Diane is responsible for managing the delivery, curation, operations and governance of the 7ha innovation district. She is also the State’s lead for innovation districts and economic zones to establish South Australia as a global leader in innovation and economic outcomes. She is currently leading the delivery of a new coordinated state-wide framework to leverage and drive the outcomes from all the state’s innovation places.