President of the Library Board of Victoria, John Wylie AM, today announced four new members will join the Library Board. Karen Wood, Hugh Williams, Donata Carrazza and Cheri Ong will commence their new appointments today, each for a three-year period.

John Wylie AM said the new board members were joining the Board at an exciting time. “The Library will soon complete Vision 2020 – a once-in-a-generation redevelopment of Australia’s oldest and busiest public library. This ambitious $88.1 million project is transforming the Library for future generations, delivering brand new spaces, services and state-of-the-art technologies.”

“Our new board members will bring to the Library a wealth of expertise in philanthropy, technology, education, hospitality and law. I look forward to working together with them as we enter this transformational chapter in the Library’s 163-year history,” said Mr Wylie.

Minister for Creative Industries, Martin Foley MP welcomed the government-appointed members.
“State Library Victoria plays a vital role in our cultural life and welcomes over 5,000 visitors a day. These new members bring a valuable mix of skills and experience to the board at this pivotal time in the Library’s history, as we revitalise the fourth most visited library in the world. I look forward to their contribution,” said Minister Foley.

Karen Wood had a distinguished career at BHP Billiton with global roles in the senior executive team. Following her retirement from the company in 2014 she was appointed Chairman of the BHP Billiton Foundation in 2015. She is chair of South 32 Limited, a director of Djerriwarrh Investments Limited and the Robert Salzer Foundation and is a vice president of the Melbourne Cricket Club.

Hugh Williams is a technology entrepreneur and academic. An adjunct professor at Melbourne Business School and RMIT University where his philanthropic program CS in Schools is upskilling schools across Australia to teach coding. He has held executive roles at Google, eBay, Microsoft, Tinder and software company Pivotal. Hugh holds 33 US patents and has another 25 pending.

Donata Carrazza has over 25 years’ hospitality experience as the owner and manager of several Mildura businesses including the Mildura Grand Hotel, Stefano’s and the Mildura Brewery. She has been chair of the Mildura Writers Festival since 1995 and is on the Committee of Management with Writers Victoria. She is an editor and published writer.

Cheri Ong is the founder and chair of the Asian Australian Foundation. She is on the governing council of International House, University of Melbourne. She has served on the Board of Multicultural Arts Victoria and was Head of Regulation and Compliance at KPMG. She is a regular presenter at events such as the World Chinese Economic Summit.

The new Board members replace four departing members, Professor Carolyn Evans, Karen Quinlan, Bruce Akhurst and Dennis Goldner.

Professor Evans left the Board in February to take up the position of Vice Chancellor at Griffith University in Queensland. Karen Quinlan left the Board in February to take up the position of Director of the National Portrait Gallery in Canberra. Bruce Akhurst and Dennis Goldner have retired after serving the full tenure of their appointments.

Other members of the Library Board of Victoria are President John Wylie AM, Deputy President Christine Christian, Adam Lewis, Maxine McKew and Maria Myers AC.