The ABC Chair, Kim Williams AM, today warmly welcomed the announcement by the Minister for Communications, the Honourable Anika Wells, of the appointment of a new Deputy Chair, Dr Lisa Caffery (Qld), who replaces former Deputy Chair Peter Tonagh, and another Director, Mr Damien Miller (Vic), who takes up a vacancy following the expiry of Mr Mario D’Orazio’s five-year term on the Board.
Mr Williams thanked his Board colleague, the rural industry leader and strategist, Ms Georgina Somerset AM, for acting so capably as Deputy Chair during the interim period between Mr Tonagh’s resignation and the appointment of Dr Caffery.
Dr Caffery has a PhD from Central Queensland University and has completed the University of Cambridge Sustainability Leadership program. Her research interests span health equity, social impact, STEM education and the resilience of rural communities.
Dr Caffery comes to the ABC as a well experienced regional Australian business leader with an impressive array of achievements across regulated sectors including water, infrastructure, resources, health, government and the not-for-profit sector. She is based in the regional Queensland city of Emerald from where she serves as a board member of Mater Health (Qld) and Dams Safety NSW. She is a former chair of Sunwater Ltd, Queensland’s bulk water entity.
“I have no doubt Dr Caffery and I will forge an effective relationship as we work with our fellow ABC Board colleagues to ensure proper guidance and performance delivery by the ABC over the coming years,” Mr Williams said.
In welcoming Mr Miller, of the Gangulu people, an Australian career diplomat for 25 years, Mr Williams expressed particular satisfaction that the Minister had appointed a First Nations Australian with extensive international experience. In 2013, Mr Miller was appointed Australia’s Ambassador to Denmark, Norway and Iceland. With that appointment, Mr Miller became the first Indigenous Australian to become an Australian Head of Mission, a signal of achievement and honour. He also served overseas in Washington DC, Berlin and Kuala Lumpur before becoming a director of several boards after leaving the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
Mr Williams paid tribute to retiring director Mr D’Orazio who had served as an ABC Board member for five years and chaired the Board’s People and Culture Committee diligently. Mr Williams said the Board had benefited from Mr D’Orazio’s unique perspective as a senior media leader and had been grateful for his knowledge, skill and warm collegiate approach.
Mr D’Orazio said, “It’s been a privilege to have served on the ABC Board for the past five years. The organisation is making important progress in many areas.
“I’m pleased to have played my part in creating the role of the Office of the Ombudsman and the establishment of the People and Culture Board committee, both of which are significant structural improvements in the ABC’s governance. While the future poses many challenges, I am confident the current leadership will ensure the ABC delivers on its charter. As I look forward to returning to the private sector, I wish the ABC every success.”