In other appointments:

• Renowned recycling scientist named Georges River Australia Day Ambassador
• NZ legal expert appointed Right to Information Commissioner
• New chair at WA Development Commission

Annette Pitman has been appointed to lead Create NSW, the agency responsible for arts, film and culture.

Ms Pitman has had more than 25 years of experience working on major cultural infrastructure projects domestically and in the US.

Ms Pitman’s appointment as CEO comes after acting as interim chief for 10 months, during which she oversaw projects including the new Powerhouse Museum in Parramatta and the Sydney Modern.

Ms Pitman has also held leadership roles with the Arts Centre Melbourne and Major Projects Victoria, where she led a number of major projects including the expansion of the Melbourne Park Tennis Centre.

She also led AECOM’s NSW and ACT Building and Places business and played a key role in the formation of the Connecticut Science Centre in the US as Director of Planning.

Having an internationally recognised leader at the helm of Create NSW would help the state remain competitive in attracting arts, screen and cultural showcases, Arts minister Ben Franklin said in a statement.

Georges River Council names trailblazing recycling scientist as Aus Day Ambassador

Prize-winning scientist, engineer and trailblazing sustainability champion Veena Sahajwalla has been announced as the 2023 Georges River Australia Day Ambassador.

Professor Sahajwalla is internationally recognised for her contribution to recycling science and has pioneered the transformation of waste into a new generation of ‘green materials’ at the UNSW Sustainable Materials Research and Technology (SMaRT) Centre, where she is Founding Director.

She is also director of the ARC Industrial Transformation Research Hub for microrecycling, and  hub leader of the national NESP Sustainable Communities and Waste Hub.

Professor Sahajwalla will deliver an Australia Day address at the Georges River Council Australia Day Awards on January 26,  2023.

NZ legal expert appointed Right to Information Commissioner

Former New Zealand Assistant Ombudsman Stephanie Winson has been appointed as Queensland’s new Right to Information (RTI) Commissioner.

Ms Winson has been a barrister and solicitor of the High Court of New Zealand since March 2002 and Secretary of the National Assembly in Namibia between 1997-2000, as well as Director Legal Services of the Namibian Parliament  from 1995-97.

She joined the NZ Civil Aviation Authority as a senior solicitor in January 2001, before undertaking the role of Chief Legal Counsel with Maritime New Zealand in 2007, where she later was promoted to General Manager.

Attorney-General Shannon Fentiman said Ms Winson would bring a fresh approach to a vital and independent position.

“As head of an independent statutory body, we look forward to Ms Winson being autonomous and carrying out her duties in a fair and impartial way,” Mr Fentiman said.

Ms Winson takes up her three-year posting on 3 January 2023.

Meanwhile, former National Retail Association CEO Dominique Lamb has been appointed the state’s new Small Business Commissioner.

Minister for Employment and Small Business Di Farmer said Ms Lamb comes to the role with extensive experience working with the small business sector across a wide range of policy areas, including economic recovery and industrial relations.

“Dominique Lamb has extensive experience in leading change in complex environments and has been involved in significant engagement in the Queensland sector as an advocate for retail, particularly during the COVID 19 pandemic and the economic recovery period,” Ms Farmer said.

The position and office of Small Business Commissioner became permanent in May this year.

 Ms Lamb will take up the position from December 23.

New Chair at WA Development Commission

A former board member of the WA Forestry Industries Federation  is the new Chair of the state’s South West Development Commission.

Danny Griffin, who takes up the position on January 1, is the Plant Manager WA for Laminex Australia and the current President of the Bunbury Geographe Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

He has previously served as Chair of the Engineering Industry Advisory Board UWA and as a Board Member for the Forestry Industries Federation WA.

He replaces outgoing Chair Nick Belyea.

Regional Development Minister Alannah MacTiernan said Mr Griffin would help to push forward economic development initiatives across the region, with a focus on advanced manufacturing initiatives.

 Regional Development Commissions are tasked with delivering the state government’s regional job creating agenda.