The Chamber of Arts and Culture WA has welcomed Margrete Helgeby Chaney and Yaso Ponnuthurai to selected Board positions as part of a broader Board renewal, with nominations currently open for the Chamber’s elected Board positions ahead of its September AGM.
Together with the recent Board appointment of Duncan Ord OAM, this marks a milestone moment, building on the Chamber’s momentum and powerful advocacy role.
Chamber Chair Fiona Sinclair, a community cultural development specialist, said the appointments added an important mix of artistic, governance, business and community experience to the Board.
“This is a significant moment in the Chamber’s evolution. We have been deliberate about building the mix of experience, perspectives and networks we need to become an even stronger and more effective voice for arts and culture in Western Australia. Margrete and Yaso both bring deep connections to artistic practice alongside substantial experience in leadership, business, and governance. We’re delighted to welcome them.”
Margrete Helgeby Chaney brings a broad perspective on the arts and cultural sector, with a career spanning artistic practice, sector leadership and governance. Recently retired as Chair of Co3 the Contemporary Dance Company of Western Australia, where she was an inaugural Board member, she has worked as both an independent artist and within large and small companies across classical and contemporary dance, opera, advocacy and arts management, nationally and internationally.
“I’m genuinely honoured to be joining the Chamber Board. I’ve spent much of my life in and around the arts, and I’m excited by the opportunity to contribute to an organisation focused on strengthening the sector’s voice and building a stronger public case for arts and culture.”
Yaso Ponnuthurai brings extensive governance and leadership experience across the health, corporate, local government, financial, and community sectors. She currently serves as a Board Member for WA Health Support Services, was an Independent Director for Indigenous corporations, and a member of an Indigenous Trustee Advisory Council, a former City of Canning Councillor and past Vice President of the Australia India Business Council, Yaso is also an accomplished classical Indian music teacher and Veena performer. She steps into the role of Treasurer.
“I’m very pleased to be joining the Chamber Board. The arts have always been an important part of my life, both as a performer and teacher, and I’m looking forward to bringing that perspective together with my governance and business experience to help strengthen the Chamber’s work.”
Ms Sinclair said the appointments reflect the Chamber’s focus on advocacy and influence, and the centrality of understanding artistic practice, noting that eight out of our nine Board members bring professional backgrounds from the creative sector across film, visual & performing arts, community arts, & design.
“The Chamber is well placed to build confidence, credibility and community understanding of the value of arts and culture, and to support a stronger and more sustainable sector. Margrete and Yaso will make a terrific contribution to that work.”
