Board

The Directors of the Screen Queensland Board are:

Michael Hawkins, LLB (Hons) FAICD (Acting Chair)

Michael Hawkins is a company director of diverse commercial experience. His roles include Executive Director of the National Association of Cinema Operators – Australasia, Director of the Intellectual Property Awareness Foundation Ltd, and Director of MFP Media Management Pty Ltd – a film and television executive production business. He was formerly CEO of Australian Multiplex Cinemas Ltd and also served for many years as an Executive Councillor of the Australian Entertainment Industry Association. He is a lawyer by training and a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Peter Baston, MAICD, Dip Law (BAB), LL.M

Peter Baston has been a practicing barrister for over twenty-five years and is an experienced arbitrator, mediator and consultant.  Peter has a keen interest in corporate governance and ‘media, entertainment & sports law’.  Peter has previously held a number of public sector appointments including serving as the Principal Member of the Statutory Fishing Rights Allocation Review Panel for the Australian Government.  For the Queensland Government he has served as a Part-Time Member of the then Criminal Justice Commission Misconduct Tribunal and Chair of a Marine Board of Inquiry. He has also been a member of the committee of the Bar Association of Queensland.  Peter has also served in the Royal Australian Navy.  He is a Commander and has held appointments as a Judge Advocate and Defence Force Magistrate in the Australian Defence Force.

Professor Stuart Cunningham

Stuart Cunningham is Distinguished Professor, QUT, and Director of the Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Creative Industries and Innovation.  He is one of Australia’s best-known media scholars, having written extensively on Australian film and television culture and policy. He has served in many national and state roles, including as Commissioner of the Australian Film Commission and as foundation Chair of QPIX, and is currently a member of the Library Board of Queensland. His current research includes online film distribution and business model innovation in the creative industries.

Councillor Jan Grew, GAICD, MF&T

Jan Grew has been a Councillor with the Gold Coast City Council for nineteen years and is the Chair of the Economic Development and Tourism Committee, a former Chair of the Corporate Governance and Administration Committee and has served on various boards since 1994, including Gold Coast Tourism, the Gold Coast Arts Centre, Gold Coast Film Fantastic, and the Gold Coast Eisteddfod.

Kathy Mac Dermott

Kathy Mac Dermott is the Executive Director of the Queensland Division of the Property Council of Australia.  Her 27 year career in property includes 11 years as a journalist for The Australian Financial Review, seven as the Queensland Bureau Chief.

Geoff Cooper (on leave from Chair for 6 months from 7 December 2012)

Geoff Cooper is a television producer and media consultant with twenty years' experience in the Queensland industry, including thirteen years as Executive Producer and Manager of Network 10's Children's and Documentary Unit. He is currently Consultant Live Action Commissioning for ABC Children's Television and a board member of the Brisbane Powerhouse, chairing the Digital Innovation Group.

Click here for Board Meeting Dates