Former mining identity Sam Walsh appointed as new Australia Council chair

Sam Walsh AO, prominent member of Australia’s mining industry, has been appointed the 13th chair of the federal government’s funding body Australia Council for the Art.

The appointment, made by federal arts minister Mitch Fifield, is for three years.

69-year-old Walsh, who retired as global CEO of Australia’s second biggest mining company Rio Tinto in 2016, has long brought significant business and governance experience to the arts sector, particularly in his native Western Australia.

He has served on the board of the Australia Council since late 2016 and is current chair of the Art Gallery of WA.

Walsh’s previous arts roles include chair and patron of Black Swan State Theatre, chair and founding member of the WA Chamber of Arts and Culture, chair of the Australian Business Arts Foundation, (now known as Creative Partnerships Australia) and trustee of the Royal Opera House Covent Garden Foundation in London

He takes over the OzCo role on July 1 after the term of current chair Rupert Myer AO, ends on June 30.

In the mining sector the cultured Walsh enjoys a reputation for getting things done and for making strong decisions.

Myer said of Walsh’s appointment: “With his depth of experience in cultural leadership roles in performing arts organisations, art galleries, cultural philanthropy and arts advocacy, Sam is eminently qualified for the position and will bring local, national and international experience to the role.  

“With his detailed knowledge of and respect for our national arts ecology, Sam will be highly effective in promoting and supporting the arts and artists across Australia and overseas.”

Walsh in turn stated, “I am following the heritage of an impressive history of Australia Council Chairs over the past 50 years and I look forward to building on the strong foundations created by my predecessors and the highly capable team at the Australia Council.

“I have thoroughly enjoyed working with my immediate predecessor Rupert Myer AO and I thank him for his significant contribution as chair during the past six years.

“I feel very confident about a smooth changeover with Rupert and the support of CEO Tony Grybowski.

“Tony’s deep knowledge of the arts sector will be invaluable as I take on the role, and we will be working closely to manage the transition as he concludes his five year fixed term as CEO in October following a remarkable decade of leadership in executive roles at the Australia Council.”

Walsh has signalled to The Australian he wants to present “a unified voice for the arts” and that his priorities are “updating arrangements with the major performing arts companies, the 2019 Venice Biennale, and appointing a new chief executive.”

The Australia Council noted, “Mr Myer has served as Australia Council Chair for two terms over six years, providing steady leadership through a time of significant change and contributing a wealth of knowledge, commitment and passion to the role.”