As featured in ART+law December 2003
By Amanda Macri, Arts Law Administration Assistant
In 2003 the Arts Law Centre of Australia turns 20 years old, and on Friday 31 October 2003 we celebrated with a cocktail party in the new Asian Wing of the Art Gallery of NSW. The event commemorated the Centre's significant contribution to Australia's cultural life and the dedication of more than 300 lawyers and barristers who have either worked with or donated their time to our service over the past two decades.
Our guest speaker, The Honourable Justice Michael Kirby AC CMG, first President of Arts Law, honoured the Centre and the artists it strives to protect. He paid special tribute to the work of the Centre's founder, Shane Simpson, who was in attendance, recalling with affection the early days of the Centre in premises in Surry Hills and the great range of issues the organisation has had, and continues to have, an influence over since then.
In keeping with the spirit of the evening, soloists from the Pro Bono Philharmonic Orchestra played to a crowd of artists and lawyers alike. It was a fantastic opportunity to gather so many of the Centre's loyal supporters from both sectors.
Many thanks to everyone who contributed to the event - in particular to sponsors Minter Ellison, Mallesons Stephen Jacques and Gilbert + Tobin; the soloists from the Pro Bono Philharmonic Orchestra (Durham Grigg, Ian McCourt, Kirrillie Moore, Gary Tui and Natalie Craig); UTS Design students Karen Wong and Hyeon Cho who designed the invitation; and volunteers Valerie Marshall, Kate Erman and Lauren Mason.
A key part of the celebrations was the announcement of the Council of Patrons, many of whom were present at the party. The Council includes leading representatives of the arts: authors Frank Moorhouse AM and Prof. Sally Morgan, composer Peter Sculthorpe AO, film producer Jan Chapman, artistic director and performer Robyn Archer AO, musician Peter Garrett AM, visual artists Margaret Olley AO and William Yang, and screenwriter, Ian David.
The Council of Patrons will also be comprised of past Presidents of the Arts Law Board: The Hon Acting Justice Jerrold Cripps; The Hon Acting Justice Jane Matthews; The Hon Justice Antony Whitlam; The Hon Elizabeth Evatt as well as The Hon Justice Malcolm Gray RFD (ACT); The Hon Justice David Angel (NT); Julian Burnside QC; Justice Terry Buddin and Shane Simpson.
