MAV Patron Ted Baillieu

“I’ve had a passionate commitment to both the arts and to multicultural Victoria and they come together beautifully in Multicultural Arts Victoria. […]

I think it’s a very powerful organisation that assists in bringing together the cultural expression of Victoria and it’s very much about the arts, and it’s very much about our multicultural background and our multicultural presence. […]

Our multicultural base is so much stronger than elsewhere and we should be proud of it and we should promote it. It’s bipartisan, it’s an asset, the diversity of Victoria is our strength. For Melbourne it’s an appeal for the State and for us all it’s an opportunity.”

– Ted Baillieu, ABC 774 The Conversation Hour, 2/3/16.

Hear MAV Patron Ted Baillieu’s full interview as Co-Host on ABC 774 The Conversation Hour, joined by artists Ravi Coltrane, alongside Oscar Jimenez, Katherine Gailer and Abraham Dunovits in the lead up to their performance at Piers Festival, Sunday 3 April at Princes Pier.

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On his appointment, Baillieu states:

“The history and essence of Victoria is steeped in cultures drawn from across the world. Since the days of Victoria’s Gold Rush, the contribution of the arts has been treasured and nurtured. Multicultural Arts Victoria continues to draw out the magic, music, minds and passion of our most multicultural and most creative State. I am delighted to join other MAV Patrons in encouraging the growth of Multicultural Arts Victoria.”

Ted Baillieu studied architecture at Melbourne University and throughout his public life has retained a keen interest in planning and encouraging a growing economy. Before entering Parliament, Ted was a Director of Knight Frank for 20 years; a Trustee of the Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Trust; a Board Member of Tourism Victoria, and a Partner with Mayne & Baillieu Architects. He has also served as a Board Member of the Melbourne Comedy Festival and the Australian Children’s Television Foundation. In 2013, he was the recipient of the Ashoka Medal from the Australia India Business Council Victoria in recognition of his contribution to Australia-India relations; and the Asian Leadership Network of Australia’s 2014 Special Public Service Award.

Ted served as Victoria’s 46th Premier and Minister for the Arts from 2 December 2010 to 6 March 2013. Prior to this he held a number of Shadow Ministries including Tertiary Education and Training, Gaming, Planning and the Arts, and was elected Leader of the Victorian Liberal Party on 8 May 2006. He retired from Parliament at the 29 November 2014 Victorian State Election. He served as an Honorary Ambassador for the Victorian Government’s 80 Days of Melbourne initiative during which Victoria hosted an unprecedented number of internationally recognised sporting, arts, cultural and trade events between 9 January and 29 March 2015.

In 2016, Ted was appointed Honorary Melbourne Enterprise Professor with the University of Melbourne, associated with the Faculty of Architecture, Building and Planning. Ted is also Chair of the Victorian Government’s ANZAC Centenary Committee and is passionate about connecting as many Victorians as possible with Original ANZACs. Well known for his love of swimming, Ted tries to find time for a few laps or a swim in the ocean. Ted and his wife Robyn have three children.

“MAV is pleased to have another high profile and committed advocate for the Arts in a Multicultural Victoria in Ted Baillieu. Ted will bring further strength to MAV as an advocate, mentor and visionary.”

– Stefan Romaniw, MAV Board Chairman.

“Ted Baillieu has championed the arts as former Premier and Minster of the Arts and is passionate about our diversity contributing to the State of Victoria. It is an honour to have his support in the development and future of MAV.”

– Jill Morgan AM, CEO of Multicultural Arts Victoria.