Rhoda Roberts, Mardi Caught, Beau Neilson & Michael Hutchings Join MusicNSW Board

Four new people have been added to the MusicNSW board, including already-existing board members Julian Knowles, Jane Slingo, Vic McEwan, and Kristy Wilson.

Today, MusicNSW announced that its new board members are Rhoda Roberts AO, Mardi Caught, Beau Neilson, and Michael Hutchings.

Roberts, a Widjabul Wiyabal woman from the Bundjalung territories, is the First Nations Advisor for Vivid Sydney and the person who’s brought forward music and cultural events such as Parrtjima Festival (NT), Boomerang Dreaming (NSW), and Shine On Gimuy (QLD).

She’s an arts executive with years of experience in commercial, community, and non-profit sectors. She's currently the Elder in Residence for SBS, the Creative Director, First Nations at NORPA, and a consultant with NIDA.

With almost 30 years of experience within the music industry, Mardi Caught has held senior roles at Warner, EMI, and Sony in Australia and the UK. In 2018, she grew another platform by forming The Annex and led campaigns for beloved Aussie artists like Lime Cordiale, Genesis Owusu, Matt Corby, Tash Sultana, Royal Otis, Hiatus Kaiyote, and more.

Beau Neilson, the Creative Director & Executive Producer of Sydney’s Phoenix Central Park and new owner of The Vanguard in Newtown, also serves as a trustee of Sydney’s Powerhouse Museum, President of The Chippendale Collective, and a Gifting Committee Member for The Neilson Foundation.

Lastly, Michael Hutchings is the Head of First Nations Programming at the Sydney Opera House. In addition to that role, he’s been a key member of Creative Australia and APRA AMCOS.

Another achievement Hutchings can hold to his name is producing Creative Australia’s First Nations Arts and Culture Awards and Yabun Festival, as well as his curation of First Nations roundtables, artist mentoring and residency programs, and managing First Nations musicians.

In a statement, MusicNSW Chairperson Julian Knowles shared enthusiasm regarding the new appointees and farewelled departing board members Emily Nicol and Kathryn Holloway.

“We are thrilled to welcome Rhoda, Mardi, Beau and Michael to the MusicNSW board,” Knowles said. “Each of these individuals brings an incredible wealth of experience and a unique perspective that will be invaluable as we navigate the challenges and opportunities ahead in the music industry.

Adding that their expertise will be “instrumental” in MusicNSW’s mission to advance a “thriving NSW music industry that is creative, innovative, resilient, diverse and internationally competitive,” Knowles continued:

“I also take this opportunity to extend my thanks on behalf of the board and MusicNSW team to Emily and Kathryn. Your contributions have been critical to shaping the support that MusicNSW has been able to provide local artists and industry, and we will carry that legacy into the future.”