Minutes:
MAV
(Multicultural Arts Victoria) Annual General Meeting 2023
Date: Monday 29 May 2023
Venue: Edinburgh Gardens Community Room, Brunswick St, Fitzroy North
The Meeting opened at 6.10pm
1. WELCOME AND APOLOGIES
1.1. Acknowledgement of Country
With the deepest respect MAV acknowledges that we live, work, and celebrate on unceded Aboriginal land. We thank all Elders, past and present, for their care, knowledge, and generosity, as custodians of the world’s oldest continuing culture. We pledge our support towards truth telling, reparation and decolonisation. We open our hearts and minds to deep listening, learning, sharing, and connecting – in solidarity with First People here in Australia and around the world. On behalf of MAV, MAV’s Chairperson acknowledged the Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung people as the Traditional Owners and true sovereigns of the land where our organisation is based in the City of Darebin. We also acknowledge the significant contributions made by other Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to Victorian culture. We pay our respects to the Elders' past, present, and future.
1.2. Welcome guests and other dignitaries
Chair Michael Van Vliet welcomed everybody to the MAV Annual General Meeting and acknowledged special guests tonight, Ms Gabrielle Di Veitri MP, Member for Richmond, and our founding Chairperson, Mike Zafiropoulos, our patron Jason Yeap OAM.
1.3. Apologies
We have received apologies from Steven Dimopoulos, Minister for Creative Industries, Colin Brooks, Minister for Multicultural Affairs, Board Members Marcus Wong and Sandeep Agrawal, Patron Ted Baillieu, Nela Trifkovic, Jill Morgan and Adrian Pearce.
1.4. Election for board vacancies
Michael reminded the audience that only financial members can vote, using the voting slips provided. Two staff members will be counting the votes and the results will be announced the following day by email.
2. MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING
2.1. 2022 Minutes
These were distributed by email to members prior to the AGM.The Chair asked the members for questions or amendments on the Minutes of the 2022 AGM. There were no questions or amendments.
2.2. Motion for the Minutes of the 2022 AGM held on 29th May 2022 to be accepted.
2.2.1. Motion Moved by Michael van Vliet (Chairperson)
2.2.2. Motion Seconded by Linda Catalano (Secretary)
2.2.3. A vote was taken to accept the Motion.
2.2.4. Motion passed unanimously
2.3. Reports
2.3.1. Chairperson’s report: Michael van Vliet:
Introduction
Firstly, I’d like to say what a privilege and honour it has been to lead the board for the past five years. It has been an experience like no other. I am in awe of the commitment of the board and MAV staff in promoting our artistic communities and ensuring that MAV remains a critical voice for the empowerment of diverse creatives and their communities in Victoria.
Acknowledgement of retiring Board Members
MAV has a very active board full of insightful and passionate people. Their enthusiasm and dedication provide MAV with our strength and resilience as an organisation. This year two board members have come to the end of their terms and have announced they will not be running for election. Symon Kohut and Marcus Wong. Symon joined the board with me way back in 2016 and served as Deputy Chair for several years. Symon’s keen understanding of governance and commitment to the arts have been an incredible asset to MAV. Marcus, who cannot be with us tonight because of COVID, joined the board in 2019 and has been a quite achiever getting things done to support the local artistic community. I thank you both for your service.
Acknowledgement of new Board Members
Last year we gained five new board members, Amarantha Robinson as Vice Deputy Chair, Sandeep Agrawal as Treasurer, Linda Catalano as Secretary, Siu Chan and Ursula Dyer Lepporoli.
Along with our Deputy Chair Neda Rahmani and Chidambaram Srinivasan, this is the current board. We look forward to welcoming new members to the board tonight. It is heartening that so many talented people wish to volunteer their expertise to MAV. I’m looking forward to their presentations.
Life Membership announcement
I have great pleasure in awarding Natalia Moravski with a lifetime membership. She is only the third person to receive such an award. Natalia was MAV’s
longest serving board member, clocking up 15 years from 1996 to 2016 including time as the Deputy Chairperson.
Natalia has been a champion of the arts and multiculturalism since she began work in 1975 as a costume designer, then artistic director of the Ukrainian Dance Ensemble. Between 1996-2001 she organised four major exhibitions focused on Ukrainian art and culture. Natalia has many years of experience project managing concerts and tours regionally and nationally and internationally.
I don’t think there is a more worthy recipient of the lifetime membership considering the many hours Natalia has volunteered her time for MAV. Congratulations Natalia!
Introduction of new Co-CEO
After an extensive national and international search, MAV is delighted to announce the appointment of Lauren Mullings as the organisation's new Creative Director/Co-CEO.
Lauren has extensive experience in the arts sector in Australia and the UK, Mullings is set to lead MAV into an exciting new chapter of growth and innovation.
Her previous roles include Senior Producer at Fuse Festival, Independent Creative Producer and Access and Inclusion lead to RISING: Melbourne, where she demonstrated a remarkable ability to connect artists, communities, and stakeholders to create dynamic artistic experiences.
As Creative Director/Co-CEO, Mullings will work alongside the Executive Director/Co-CEO, Andy Miller, to steer the strategic direction of MAV, championing our shared vision of a diverse and inclusive arts landscape that celebrates the cultural richness of Victoria.
Her leadership will further strengthen the organization's commitment to supporting artists from diverse backgrounds, facilitating cross-cultural collaborations, and fostering meaningful community engagement.
Final observations
I would like to thank the staff for all their great work in these challenging times, especially when we haven’t had a permanent home these past six months. Along with our incredible staff, I would like to thank all our members and the funders and supporters who continue to back our programs.
I would like to express my sincere gratitude to Zii Nzira for serving as interim Co-CEO. His steady influence, significant initiatives, and connections were of great value to the organisation over the past year. Thank you Zii.
After five years, my time as Chair will soon be ending. I would like to thank everyone, especially the Board and co-CEOs for their great support. It has been a privilege to lead such a wonderful organisation as MAV.
2.3.2. Co-Chief Executive Officer’s report: Andy Miller
2.3.3. Co-Chief Executive Officer’s report: Zii Nzira
2.3.4. Incoming CEO Lauren Mullings speaks.
3. FINANCES
3.1. Treasurer’s report and submission of annual financial statement to members (read by Deputy Chair Neda Rahmani in Sandeep’s absence).
3.1.1. Motion: That the Annual Financial Statement be approved.
3.2. Appointment of Auditors
3.2.1. Motion: That be Collins and Co Audit Pty Ltd approved as our auditors for 2023.
3.2.2. Moved by Linda Catalano (Secretary)
3.2.3. Seconded by Neda Rahmani (Deputy Chair)
4. GUEST SPEAKER
4.1. Ms Gabrielle Di Veitri MP, Member for Richmond Gabrielle shared her story of being an artist, activist, advocate, and eventual Member of Parliament. She spoke on the importance of arts, and how it can be a powerful tool in social change.
5. PERFORMANCE
5.1. Jag was introduced by Neda Rahmani (Deputy Chair) Genre-bending spoken word artist, musician, and theatre maker Jag, performed a solo piece, channelling characters through spoken word, keyboard, and paint. Her provocation to the audience was: What is an artist?
6. ELECTION OF BOARD MEMBERS.
6.1. Nominations as follows:
• Ayesha Bux
• Michael van Vliet
• Emiliano Zucchi
• Kylie Crane
• Nela Trifkovic
• Sandeep Agrawal
• Shankar Kasynathan
• Ursula Lepporoli
7. Close