Lynne Kosky has returned after illness. 06119 Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS
By Vanessa Chircop
FORMER Minister of the Arts and Member for Altona, Lynne Kosky, has been appointed as the new Chair of the Board of Management at The Substation.
The role will be the former Minister’s first appointment since retiring from politics in January 2010.
Ms Kosky, who grew up and went to school in Melbourne’s West, was the Member for Altona for 15 years and was the Minister for Public Transport and the Arts from December 2006 until she retired.
She also held the position of Minister for Education and Training for four years, served as the Minister for Finance and the Minister for Post Compulsory Education, Training and Employment.
In September last year, Ms Kosky battled a life threatening blood infection a month after undergoing surgery to treat breast cancer.
The infection left her in a coma for more than a week.
The Substation’s director Jeremy Gaden said he was very excited to have someone of Ms Kosky’s stature as the new Chair.
“Not only is she passionate about the arts and Melbourne’s West, but she is a strong and astute leader who will bring enormous value to this organisation,” he said.
“The establishment of The Substation as a vital new player in Melbourne’s arts scene offers a fantastic opportunity to the whole of Victoria’s arts sector, and Lynne will play a huge part in ensuring the potential of The Substation is realised.
“Critically, Lynne brings an immense amount of political and business connections to the organisation, as well as her own business acumen, and the combination of these will have a really positive impact on the success of The Substation”. Ms Kosky said she was excited to be taking on the new role.
“Helping to build a new arts organisation and venue is a rare opportunity, but to be able to do that here in Melbourne’s West where access to the arts has been limited, holds a special meaning for me,” she said.
“I had been looking for a way to contribute to the local community that has always been so supportive of me, and I cannot imagine a better way than helping to create a sustainable future for such an exciting project.”
