ICEHOUSEAn artist manager, a publisher, and a community radio leader were among those lauded on the King’s Birthday Honours List (released Monday, June 8th) for helping to shape their sectors of the Australian music industry and for tireless charity work.
They either received a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) or made a Member of the Order of Australia (AM).
Keith Welsh (OAM)
The co-founder and bassist of Icehouse now manages the band and its leader Iva Davies, having done so since 2010. Welsh was a junior manager at the Dirty Pool agency (1980-1988), a co-partner of artist development Rough Cut and Second Pressing Records, and a consultant with Savage Garden’s international rise.
Welsh was one of the founders of the Music Managers Forum and Association of Artist Managers, served as Deputy Chair of Music NSW for three years, was on the board of the Australasian Music Copyright Owners Society (AMCOS) and Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA), and chaired the Australian Music Publishers Association Limited (AMPAL).
Philip Walker (OAM)
Philip Walker has been Chair of Origin Music Group since 1981, a NSW-based company including recording, publishing, theatrical and post-production divisions.
He’s also been a director of AMCOS and AMPAL and committee member of the Bouddi Foundation for the Arts, 15 years dedicated to supporting emerging artists on the Central Coast, and chair of the Antony Kidman Foundation.
Geoff King (OAM)
Don't miss a beat with our FREE daily newsletter
Geoff King was instrumental in the growth of the community radio sector, a long time volunteer presenter, music coordinator and member of the programming committee, and chair of the board at Melbourne’s seminal Triple R.
King also lectures at the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology University on radio production and music, and is a member of the International Association For The Study Of Popular Music.
James Valentine (AM)
The birthday honour comes in the wake of an outpouring of genuine affection and respect after his passing. He was sax player for the Models and Absent Friends but became a household name on varying shifts on national ABC Radio particularly on afternoons, and presenter on TV’s ABC Jazz, and writing children’s books.
Simon Tedeschi (AM)
The youthful Simon Tedeschi is best known as a concert pianist since the 1990s, but with a large rock fan base, particularly with regular appearances on ABC-TV’s Spicks And Specks. He has performed in Asia, Europe, and the US, and notably played the hands of David Helfgott in the Oscar-winning movie Shine.
Elaine Chia (OAM)
High profile arts administrator Elaine Chia, currently CEO of the Naomi Milgrom Foundation, also served in Creative Australia, as Director of International Signature Projects, and Director of Venice and Arts Development Operations.
Chia was also Executive Director of the Adelaide Festival, CEO of City Recital Hall, and International Development Manager of the Sydney Conservatorium of Music.
Janice Florence (OAM)
Janice Florence received her honour for “services to the arts and to people with disabilities.” At Arts Access Victoria, she was Performance Director, spokesperson and workshop facilitator. She was also a disability consultant for Melbourne City Council.
Rove McManus (AM)
Comedian and entrepreneur Rove McManus’ connection to the music industry included producing and presenting the ARIA Awards in 2000, 2002-2004, and 2007-2008, and producing Silverchair: Beyond The Diorama in 2002.
He also ensured that his shows as The Project and Rove Live included a dose of music acts.
Toby Simkin (AM)
The late Toby Simkin was a major event producer, as Vice President and Executive Producer for 15 years at TML Enterprises. He was also Senior Vice President and Executive Producer at Nederlander Worldwide Entertainment.
His music theatre endeavours also saw him promote shows on Broadway.
Julja Szuster (AM)
A long time senior figure at Arts SA Julja Szuster held roles in arts development and planning, project officer for performing arts, chair of the performing arts advisory committee and in its music branch.
She was Chair for eleven years at the Music Council of Australia after being a founding member, a board member of Come Out Festival for two years, and was a committee member of the Australia Council performance arts board.
This piece of content has been assisted by the Australian Government through Music Australia and Creative Australia, its arts funding and advisory body
