Country Arts WA recently welcomed four new members to its Board of Management and appointed a new Executive committee.

New Board members include Doone McAlary from Margaret River (Arts Margaret River), Kate Fielding from Warburton and Katherine McLean from Perth (Barking Gecko Theatre Company). Re-elected was Christine Elaine from Northam (Avon Valley Arts) and Sari Jacobsen from Geraldton.

The new-look Executive sees John McCourt from Broome (Kimberley Performing Arts Council) as the organisation’s Chair, Simon Clarke from Albany (Southern Edge Arts) as the Vice Chair, Bruce Devenish from Perth (Abmusic Aboriginal Corporation) as Secretary and Perth-based co-opted Board member Pina Caffarelli as the Treasurer.

The new Board and Executive are excited about the year ahead and the direction that the organisation is headed

"I am delighted to take on the role of Chair in such exciting times for Country Arts WA.” said Mr McCourt.

“We have had several wins over the last 12-months including the employment of our first regionally-based Regional Arts Development Officer in the Gascoyne – something the organisation has lobbied for, for many years.

"Also CAWA has a major corporate partnership with BHP Billiton Iron Ore in Newman which has resulted in an innovate new media residency program for young people and the development of plans for an Art Park to be at the heart of the mining town."

Major projects for Country Arts WA in 2010 include the Focus Region Initiative in the Gascoyne region in partnership with the Gascoyne Development Commission, the continuation of the Sand Tracks remote Indigenous music touring program which in 2010 will become a cross-border tour with SA and NT and the continued support of the Western Australia Aboriginal Art Centre Hub – WA’s newest peak body for Aboriginal Art Centres.

For a full list of Country Arts WA Board members visit Country Arts WA.