The Victorian Government has announced the appointment of respected public and private sector leader, Helen Silver AO, as the 25th President of the Library Board of Victoria.
Minister for Creative Industries Colin Brooks announced the appointment, which follows the retirement of Christine Christian AO who has served the Library as a board Director since 2013 and as President since 2021.
“Helen Silver is an extraordinary leader with a wealth of experience at the helm of major organisations that serve the Victorian public. I look forward to working with Helen and the board as they take the Library into its next era,” said Mr Brooks.
“I congratulate and thank Christine Christian AO for her leadership as President and over a decade of service to the library and for her generosity and vision ensuring the library lives up to its purpose as a space where anyone can freely access knowledge to reach their potential.”
The Minister said Ms Silver AO had dedicated her career to ensuring strong governance in major public and private sector organisations.
She was the CEO and Secretary of Victoria’s Department of Premier and Cabinet between 2008-2013, where she led the state through major events such as the Black Saturday bushfires. She also led the arts portfolio and Arts Victoria – the Government’s creative body now known as Creative Victoria.
Alongside board and executive roles in the insurance, banking and infrastructure sectors, Ms Silver also has a long-standing connection to the creative industries.
She currently serves as Chair of the Australian Children’s Television Foundation and previously served on the board of Victorian Arts Centre Trust and Melbourne Symphony Orchestra.
“I am honoured to join the Library Board of Victoria. The Library’s mission is vital, to provide free access to knowledge, support research and learning, and enrich the lives of all Victorians,” said Ms Silver.
I look forward to supporting the Library’s continued service to the community and helping expand opportunities for every Victorian to discover, learn, and connect.”
Her appointment follows the appointment of renowned librarian Christine Mackenzie AM and historian and academic and author Emeritus Professor Peter McPhee who joined the board as Directors earlier this month bringing a wealth of expertise and experience across the library, history and research sectors.
