MR JOSEPH SKRZYNSKI APPOINTED TO THE SBS BOARD
Elleni Bereded-Samuel, a former Ethiopian television journalist and presenter, and Mr Joseph Skrzynski, a member of the Sydney Film School's board and a former chairman of the Sydney Opera House Trust, are two newly appointed members of the SBS board selected out of more than 300 expressions of interest received.
SBS (The Special Broadcasting Service) is Australia's multicultural and multilingual public broadcaster whose unique radio and television services are broadcast in more languages than any other network in the world.
Sixty-eight languages are spoken on SBS Radio, more than 60 languages are broadcast on SBS Television, and Online SBS New Media provides text and audio-on-demand services in more than 50 languages.
In this manner SBS gives a voice and exposure to multicultural Australia contributing to the cross-cultural, linguistical, sociological and cultural understanding.
New SBS board member Mr Joseph Skrzynski has made a significant contribution to the community, arts and media since 1969.
From 1995 till 2004 he served as the Chairman of the Sydney Opera House Trust and from 1995 to 2000 on the Major Organisations Fund of the Australia Council. He has extensive experience in managing private and public companies and strong expertise in financial matters, including his position as Founding Partner of CHAMP Private Equity.
Between 1985 and 1991 Mr Joseph Skrzynski has also been the Chairman of the Australian Film, Television & Radio School. That followed his term as Chief Executive of the Australian Film Commission (1980 to 1984), during which period the industry saw an enormous expansion in production domestically, and in international recognition of the quality of Australian films.
The AFC’s policies and support for indigenous film making, experimental film making and women in films were all boosted during his tenure.
Apart from these statutory appointments, Mr Skrzynski has had Executive Producer level involvement with the funding of My Brilliant Career and Edens Lost for Gillian Armstrong and Neil Armfield, Higtide for Sandra Levy and Gillian Armstrong, amongst other films.
His Arts involvements have also included directorships of the Sydney Dance Company, Belvoir Street Theatre and the Aboriginal Art & Craft Company.
Today, besides being a Board Member of the Sydney Film School he is also a Fellow of the University of Sydney Senate.
In the words of the Communications Minister Stephen Conroy “Mr Skrzynski's active involvement in the cultural sector, his extensive business experience and his high-level skills in governance and leadership will make him an asset to the (SBS) Board”.
His five-year term as an SBS non-executive director started on 27 March 2009.
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