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Damien Hodgkinson has been appointed as CEO of the Melbourne International Film Festival. The newly created role marks an exciting new chapter in the organisation’s storied history, says the MIFF Board. Damien joins Australia’s largest film festival after 11 years at the helm of Melbourne International Comedy Festival as its Executive Director. In that role,

ABC Alumni have welcomed the appointment of Kim Williams as the new Chair of the ABC Board. “We understand that Mr Williams was on the shortlist submitted by the Nomination Panel. We are pleased that this government has stuck by its election promise to follow the process laid down in the ABC Act,” said the

Larrikin priest, the late Fr Bob Maguire, was promoted in the Australia Day Honours (Jan. 26). The late Rev. Robert John Maguire AM RFD was promoted to AO in the Australia Day Honours, in recognition of his distinguished service to the community, particularly through social welfare initiatives and organisations.Fr Bob had his eponymous Foundation for

Melbourne show business identity Frank Howson, 72, has flown to Sydney for surgery to fight “inoperable bowl cancer”. Howson, producer-director-author-actor-singer-artist, has confided with friends that he may less than three months to live. “A surgeon in Sydney is attempting to operat. If it doesn’t work, I’ll be dead within 3 months,” Howson published on social

UPDATE: Philip Brady has told the Melbourne Observer that he is due to be discharged from hospital on Tuesday, January 30. Veteran radio man Philip Brady, 84, is in hospital awaiting hip replacement surgery after an incident with his dogo Oro. Brady, co-host of the Sunday night ‘Remember When’ program, was with his pet “but in returning to the house Oro got a little excited which resulted in poor Philip taking a tumble on the

By Laura Clancy Lecturer in Media, Lancaster University. From ‘The Conversation’ When Queen Elizabeth II came to the throne in 1952, Britain was just seven years out of the Second World War. Rebuilding work was still ongoing, and rationing key products such as sugar, eggs, cheese and meat would continue for another year or so.

Congratulations to Sandra Davies who was recognised in the 2022 Queen’s Birthday Honours List with a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM), presented last week by the Victorian Governor, Linda Dessau, at Government House. Sandra was awarded this honour for “services to the performing arts, and to music education”. This is in recognition of

Footy tragic at Kardinia Park Far away from the glitter and gloss of Hollywood, Guy Pearce turned up at Kardinia Park to watch AFL flag contenders Geelong at training. Accompanying Guy was Game of Thrones actor Carnice van Horitan and his son. Guy has supported the Cats for past 18 years. Book launch for Number

Australian award-winning playwright and author Barry Dickins was interviewed last week by Cheryl Threadgold for a new Theatre Heritage Australia oral history program. The interview took place in the sound recording studios at State Library Victoria, where Barry shared some wonderful stories from his half a century involvement in live theatre. Barry’s contribution to the

and Media Manager Johann Jayasinha into their Champions Group. It is a well deserved recognition for the Hampton Park based Johann who has been a multi-cultural sports and community leader for over 20 years. His experience is not only in the cricket arena but many other sporting codes too. He has worked with the ICC,