The following comment can be attributed to National Museum of Australia Director, Dr Mathew Trinca:
The National Museum of Australia welcomes the appointment of Sandra Chipchase and Natasha Bowness to the Museum's Council.
Ms Chipchase has had an outstanding career in international and domestic tourism, major events, marketing, sponsorship, commercial leasing and asset management.
She was previously CEO of Destination NSW, the state government's tourism and major events agency with 14 international offices, and Executive Producer of the multi-award-winning Vivid Sydney Festival. Prior to this she was CEO of the Melbourne Convention and Visitors Bureau, Executive Director Australian Pavilion of World Expo 2000 in Hannover Germany, and Executive Director Commercial of Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority. She also held several senior management roles with Tourism Australia in Frankfurt, Chicago and New York.
Ms Chipchase is an experienced Board director and is currently Chair of the federal government's Bushfire Recovery Regional Tourism Events Initiative Expert Advisory Panel, Chair of the Industry Advisory Panel for the Business Events Grants Program, is a member of Industry Advisory Board for East 33 (Australian exporter of Sydney Rock Oysters) and Business Development Partner in Impresario Theatrical Productions.
With a wealth of experience across a broad range of sectors both in Australia and abroad, Ms Chipchase's expertise is highly regarded by the Museum Council. She commenced her appointment on 5 August 2021.
Ms Bowness brings extensive experience in strategy, governance, risk, business management, visitor experience and philanthropy, particularly within the cultural sector of Australia.
Ms Bowness is a chartered accountant, formerly with PwC and Chair of Wilbow Group, a private company with a range of investments in Australia and the US. She is also Chair of the Bowness Family Foundation and the Monash Gallery of Art Committee of Management, President of Annual Giving for The Australian Ballet and a member of their Foundation Board. Ms Bowness is a member of the Monash University Campaign Council, the Zoos Victoria Foundation Board and a former member of the Zoos Victoria Board.
With a wealth of arts and cultural experience as a Board member and through her role as Chair of Bowness Family Foundation, Ms Bowness is a highly valued addition to the Council. She commences her appointment on 1 November 2021.
As well as the two new Council appointments, Dr Mike Haywood, Mr Peter Walker and Mr Ben Maguire have been reappointed to the Museum's Council for a further 3 years.
National Museum Director Dr Mathew Trinca welcomed both Ms Chipchase and Ms Bowness to the Council and welcomed the reappointment of Dr Haywood, Mr Walker and Mr Maguire.
'We're delighted to welcome Ms Chipchase and Ms Bowness to the Museum's Council,' said Dr Trinca.
'Ms Chipchase and Ms Bowness bring an extraordinary depth of experience in the cultural sector both in Australia and abroad and the Museum will benefit enormously from their insights into the Museum business, the arts sector more broadly, philanthropy, tourism and events – all of which are key to the Museum's future,' said Dr Trinca.
'We are also delighted with the reappointment of Dr Haywood, Mr Walker and Mr Maguire, who have all served the Council proudly and will continue to provide invaluable leadership in the years ahead,' said Dr Trinca.
