Executive Moves at VMDO, Music NSW, Create NSW and More

Paul O’ Gorman Retires As Entertainment Lawyer

Music biz veteran Paul O’Gorman retires this week as an entertainment lawyer after 30 years. He was most recently a consultant at Sanicki Lawyers.

After completing his law degree in 1975, he was a singer-songwriter with Festival Records, before shifting to publishing and pitching at Fable Music and managing Paul Dainty’s Marble Music, and managing Tommy Emmanuel, The Badloves, Debra Byrne and Russell Morris.

O’Gorman returned to law in the mid 1990s, with clients including Guy Sebastian, Tex Perkins, G Flip and British India, and doing pro bono work for many charities including the Australian Road Crew Association.

He said that despite the different facets of his career: “Above all, songwriting has always been my passion, so I’ll have a bit more time to write and continue to try and get cuts like every other writer on the planet.”

New Creative Industries Minister for Victoria

Steve Dimopoulos is the new creative industries minister for Victoria after a Cabinet reshuffle.

The state’s music industry has lost two staunch allies – former creative industries minister and big Chisel/Oils fan Danny Pearson who’s been shifted to housing, and industry, tourism and sports minister Martin Pakula who’s quit politics.

There could be a shift for the music industry under Dimopoulos, 49.

His portfolio includes tourism, sport and major events, which may see wider collaborations.

Richard Evans Heads Perth International Jazz Festival

The Perth International Jazz Festival has appointed Richard Evans to new role of general manager.

The entertainment lawyer was based in New York for 20 years as strategic development, events and media director for contemporary advisory firm Kim Heirston Art Advisory.

After returning from New York he co-founded the Cottesloe Film Festival and created Manhattan Nights jazz and music events.

Katie Stewart Departing VMDO

Katie Stewart is finishing up this month as general manager of the Victorian Music Development Office, to take on a new role in her area of passion – economic development.

Her three-and-a-half year legacy includes Music Market, co-designing programs which connect global leaders with the Victorian music industry, online networking events and international delegations.

Music NSW Welcomes Kaleena Smith

MusicNSW officially welcomed Wiradjuri/Yorta Yorta woman Kaleena Smith (pictured at top) as First Nations development coordinator.

A singer and songwriter with the Stiff Gins for 22 years, Smith’s role is to directly support to NSW-based First Nations creatives with pathways, workshops, funding and mentoring, expanding their networks, and building industry knowledge.

Festival City Adelaide Appoints New Board

Festival City Adelaide appointed seven directors to its board.

They include TAFE SA’s David Coltman, Adelaide Festival CEO Kath Mainland, Govert Mellink from PwC, Adelaide Film Festival CEO Mat Kesting, journalist Jim Plouffe, Susannah Sweeney the creative producer of the Come Out Children’s Festival, and academic Denise von Wald.

Previously known as Festivals Adelaide, it consists of 13 festivals including WOMADelaide, Adelaide Fringe, Adelaide Festival, Adelaide Guitar Festival and Illuminate Adelaide.

New Role For Milan Rokic

Milan Rokic, who as VP of marketing for Cirque du Soleil was responsible for developing Australia and New Zealand into one of its leading territories, is now SVP of AEG Presents Asia to build up its touring circuit in the region.

Karen Rodgers Moves to Create NSW

Karen Rodgers, of the Australia Council, begins in August in the newly created role of director of arts at Create NSW, the NSW Government’s agency for arts, screen and culture.

She will oversee arts and cultural operational funding programs and helping shape NSW’s policy agenda for the sector.