Victorian Opera has announced the appointment of the Hon. Heidi Victoria, former Minister for the Arts and Member of the Victorian Parliament, to its Board of Directors.

Victoria represented Bayswater in the Victorian Legislative Assembly for the Liberal Party from 2006 to 2018, serving as Minister for the Arts, Women’s Affairs, and Consumer Affairs from 2013 to 2014. She is also a professional photographer and long-time arts advocate.

“We are pleased to welcome Heidi to the Board of Victorian Opera. She brings a wealth of experience from her years in public life alongside her incredible enthusiasm and love for the arts,” said Chair Genevieve Overell AM, per an official press release.

The appointment follows the retirement of Professor Richard Kurth, Director of the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music at the University of Melbourne, who stepped down at the company’s Annual General Meeting after several years of service on the Board and its Artistic Committee.

The Board of Victorian Opera also includes Directors Sharolyn Kimmorley AM, Sam Redston, Michael Smolders, Patricia Stebbens, Amanda Watt, Gillian Wong, and Victoria.

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