Screen Queensland has appointed lawyer, diversity advocate and former Supreme Court judge The Honourable Roslyn Atkinson AO as the new chair of the board.
Atkinson, who joined the Screen Queensland board in February this year, officially takes over the reins today from Linda Lavarch — former Queensland parliamentarian and state attorney-general, who has served on the Board and as Chair since 2018.
Atkinson was a judge of the Supreme Court of Queensland for 20 years from 1998, chair of the Queensland Indigenous Justice committee and lead author of the Equal Treatment Bench book.
She was Chair of the Queensland Law Reform Commission for 12 years and board director at Expressions Dance Company (now Australasian Dance Collective) from 1999 to 2001.
Prior to her judicial career, Atkinson was a teacher, actor, theatre administrator and a lecturer in literature, drama, film and Australian studies at the Queensland Institute of Technology (now QUT).
She became a barrister in 1987 and was subsequently the inaugural president of the Queensland Anti-Discrimination Tribunal, as well as a hearing commissioner of the Human Rights and Equal Opportunities Commission.
Screen Queensland CEO Kylie Munnich said it is this broad range of experience that makes Atkinson highly suited to the Board’s top job.
Munnich said: “Ms Atkinson’s years of demonstrated leadership, interest in the state’s creative sector and commitment to diversity action makes her exceptionally qualified to helm the Board of Screen Queensland.
“This year, we will be creating our new three-year strategic plan, as well as an environmental sustainability roadmap.
“In addition, our Equity and Diversity Taskforce is working with us to produce an inclusion plan for the agency and the screen industry.
“I congratulate Ms Atkinson on her new role and, on behalf of the board and staff, I deeply thank Linda Lavarch for her enthusiasm, generosity and prowess throughout the past four exciting and challenging years she has served on our Board,” Munnich added.
Atkinson said she is delighted to take on the role of chair, particularly during a time of growth and positive change for the screen industry, and for the agency.
“I have been a long-time admirer of the exceptional number, quality and reach of Queensland-made films, series and games, so it is a joy and great responsibility to be part of funding local, interstate and international projects and actively steering our industry towards a more inclusive future,” she said.
“It is an honour to have been asked to chair this dynamic board, comprising of experts in the diverse fields of film and series production, game development, post-production, studios, education, finance and law,” Atkinson added.
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Top image: Roslyn Atkinson