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Council

Under the Australian Film, Television and Radio School Act 1973 (the AFTRS Act), the School is governed by a Council that is responsible to the Federal Parliament through the Minister for Communications, Cyber Safety and the Arts, The Hon Paul Fletcher MP.

AFTRS is also governed by the provisions of the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013 (PGPA Act). Under the AFTRS Act, AFTRS is a corporate Commonwealth entity, Council is the accountable authority, and Council members are officials.

Composition

There are nine members of the Council, specified under the AFTRS Act:

  • Three members appointed by the Governor-General
  • Three members appointed from convocation by the Council
  • The Chief Executive Officer, ex-officio
  • A staff member elected by staff each year
  • A student member elected by students each year.

Members represent the interests of the School and the screen arts and broadcasting sector, contributing expertise in a range of areas, including education, policy, film and television production, commercial activities, and management.

The Governor-General appoints the Chair, and the Council elects the Deputy Chair. These positions may not be held by the ex-officio, staff, or student member of Council.

Members appointed by the Governor- General, and those appointed from convocation, hold office for a term of up to three years.

The staff member holds office for one year and ceases to be a Council member if they leave the School. The student member holds office for one year and can no longer be a member once they cease to be a student of the School.

The maximum appointment period for an elected member is two terms. Casual vacancies for elected positions may be filled with the approval of the Minister until the current term for that position expires.

Council members are non-executive directors apart from the Chief Executive Officer (or Acting Chief Executive Officer) who is an executive director. The CEO (or Acting CEO) manages the affairs of the School and oversees daily operations and activities according to general policy approved by the Council.

On appointment, Council members are provided access to the Corporate Governance Handbook setting out their responsibilities and duties.

AFTRS Council convened five meetings during FY2019–20:

  • 25 July 2019
  • 6 September 2019
  • 6 December 2019
  • 27 February 2020
  • 1 May 2020.

Details of Accountable Authority during the reporting period Current Report Period (2019–20)

Period as the accountable authority or member within the reporting period

Name

Qualifications of the Accountable Authority

Experience of the Accountable Authority

Position Title/Position held

Executive/Non-Executive

Date of Commencement

Date of cessation

Number of meetings of accountable authority attended

Number of meetings relevant to term of member

Mr Russel Howcroft

Bachelor of Business (Marketing) Monash University

PWC, Partner, Chief Creative Officer

Chair, Non-Executive

Appointed by the Governor-General

1 July 2017

30 June 2023

5

5

Ms Carole Campbell

Bachelor of Economics Macquarie University

Fellow of Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (FCA)

Graduate Member of Australian Institute of Company Directors (GAICD)

AFTRS, Finance Audit and Risk Management (FARM) Committee Chair

FlexiGroup Limited (FXL), Non-Executive Director, and Audit Committee Chair

IVE Group Limited (IGL), Non-Executive Director, and Audit, Risk and Compliance Committee Chair

Southern Cross Media Group Limited (SXL), Non-Executive Director, and Audit Committee member

Sydney Film Festival Non-Executive Director

Deputy Chair, Non-Executive

Convocation Member of Council

5 April 2018

4 April 2021

5

5

Mr Peter Tonagh

Bachelor of Commerce UNSW Australia

Master of Business Administration INSEAD

Bus Stop Films, Chairman

Village Roadshow, Non-Executive Director

Non-Executive

Appointed by the Governor-General

29 May 2018

28 May 2021

5

5

Ms Annabelle Herd

Bachelor of Laws, Bachelor of Arts (Asian Studies) The Australian National University

Network Ten, Chief Operating Officer

Non-Executive

Appointed by the Governor-General

14 December 2017

13 December 2020

5

5

Ms Tanya Hosch

-

United Nations Association of Australia (UNAA),

Goodwill Ambassador for the Rights of Indigenous Peoples

AFL General Manager, Inclusion and Social Policy

Circus Oz, Board of Directors Member

NAB Indigenous Advisory Group Member

Non-Executive

Convocation Member of Council

18 October 2018

17 October 2021

4

5

Dr Georgie McClean

AFTRS Acting Chief Executive Officer

AFTRS Acting Chief Executive Officer

Executive Director

Ex-Officio Member of Council

1 June 2019

30 November 2019

1

1

Mr Shomal Parekh

AFTRS Acting Chief Executive Officer

AFTRS Acting Chief Executive Officer

Executive Director

Ex-Officio Member of Council

1 December 2019

4 March 2020

2

2

Dr Nell Greenwood

AFTRS Chief Executive Officer

AFTRS Chief Executive Officer

Executive Director

Ex-Officio Member of Council

5 March 2020

4 March 2025

1

1

Ms Pearl Tan

AFTRS Staff Member

AFTRS Senior Lecturer, Directing

Staff-Elected Member

Second and final permitted term

Outgoing

26 February 2018

26 February 20201

3

3

Ms Maija Howe

AFTRS Staff Member

AFTRS Lecturer, Creative Practice & Theory

Staff-Elected Member

Incoming

27 February 2020

26 February 2021

2

2

Mr Alfred Faber

AFTRS Student Member

Enrolled third-year Bachelor of Arts Screen: Production

Student-Elected Member

Outgoing

20 April 2019

18 November 20192

3

3

Ms Bethany Stewart

AFTRS Student Member

Enrolled third-year Bachelor of Arts Screen: Production

Student-Elected Member

Incoming

28 April 2020

27 April 2021

1

1

  1. By resolution, term-end date amended from 27 February 2020 to 26 February .
  2. Student ceased to be a student and ceased therefore to be a Council member in accordance with Australian Film, Television and Radio School Act 1973 s 10(4).

One Non-Executive Convocation Member of Council was vacant as at 30 June 2020.