- Minister for Creative Industries
Business leader Leon Kempler AM has been named as the new president of the Museums Board of Victoria, Australia’s largest museum organisation which oversees Melbourne Museum, the Royal Exhibition Building, Scienceworks and the Immigration Museum.
Minister for Creative Industries Martin Foley said Mr Kempler’s business expertise and experience as chair of major cultural and philanthropic institutions made him ideally placed to lead the organisation in its next stage of growth.
Mr Kempler is chairman of the advisory council of Questacon – The ³Ô¹ÏÍøÕ¾ Science and Technology Centre, a role he has held for 16 years.
His previous roles include director of the Royal Children’s Hospital Foundation (2002-2017) and chairman of the Melbourne International Jazz Festival (2007-2013).
In 2018 he was awarded the Member of the Order of Australia for his contributions to cultural institutions and charitable, education and children’s medical foundations.
Mr Kempler holds an Honorary Doctorate of Science from Deakin University and fellowships from Monash University, Technion Institute of Science and the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. He is a Member of the Chancellor’s Circle at Deakin.
He succeeds Professor Rufus Black, who has served as president of the Museums Board since 2016.
Three further appointments to the board include barrister Timothy Goodwin, CEO and executive director of Luna Park Mary Stuart and returning member, communications expert Andrew Butcher.
The terms for the new president and board members start on 1 July 2019.
As stated by Minister for Creative Industries Martin Foley
“Leon Kempler brings significant experience and skills to this role as Museums Victoria prepares for the future with exciting and ambitious plans for our great museums.”
“I acknowledge and thank Rufus Black for three years of exceptional leadership and for his contribution to Museums Victoria and Victoria’s cultural life more broadly.”
As stated by incoming Museums Board of Victoria president Leon Kempler AM
“I’m honoured to be appointed president of the Museums Board of Victoria and to be given the opportunity to lead one of Victoria’s most significant cultural assets.”
“I look forward to working with the board, with director and CEO Lynley Crosswell, and with Museums Victoria staff in delivering their transformational vision for our much-loved museums.”
