THE HEADS OF AGREEMENT
The Melbourne University (Victorian College of the Arts) Act 2006 was passed because Members of Parliament recognized the important role VCA plays in the State;
"This bill ensures that future generations of Victorian artists will continue to benefit from the high-quality teaching programs which are offered by the Victorian College of the Arts." (Ms BARKER, Oakleigh) [i]
"If we are going to talk about the importance of the arts, as we do from time to time in this house when we say how proud we are of the arts in Melbourne, then I think it behoves the government of the day to follow that up with some funding. It was not a huge amount of money that would have been required to fill the gap to allow the Victorian College of the Arts to continue as it was, as essentially a separate entity down in Southbank." (Mr MAUGHAN, Rodney) [ii]
"It is important that the staff and students are comfortable with and will not be disadvantaged by the change." (Mr DIXON, Nepean) [iii]
"As can be seen, it is a bill that is supported by all sides of the house. Every member has spoken quite glowingly of the role that the Victorian College of the Arts plays in developing and nurturing young talent in the state." (Ms ALLAN, Minister for Education Services) [iv]
The Bill was debated on the premise that a Heads of Agreement between VCA and the University reflected the way the integration would take place. The Heads of Agreement also stated that the VCA advisory board had the power to suggest amendments to the Heads of Agreement "Where such amendments are considered to be of benefit to the VCA and the University". [v]
The new VCA Dean has stated "The Heads of Agreement did not state that nothing would change. In fact the Heads of Agreement specifically enabled the VCA and University to determine the functions and processes which could improve productivity and effectiveness." [vi]
The members of the VCA Integration Committee is made up of representatives from the VCA Advisory Board, and the University. The VCA Advisory Board members are as follows: [vii]
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Ms Mary Jo Capps (to 31 December 2009) - General Manager Musica Viva
more info... -
Mr Trevor Green (to 31 December 2011) - General Manager, Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, former Director of the Australian National Academy of Music
more info... -
Dr Janine Kirk (to 31 December 2010) - Ernst and Young Partner
more info... -
Ms Lynne Landy (to 31 December 2011) - Founding Patron of Greatconnections, previously a journalist and Fashion/Fabric Coordinator
more info... -
Professor Pip Pattison (to 1 March 2011) - Professor of Psychology
more info... -
Ms Vanessa Pigrum (to 31 December 2010) - Artistic Director: FullTILT
more info... -
Professor Sharman Pretty (ex officio) - New Dean of VCAM
more info... -
Mr Noel Turnbull (to 31 December 2010; Chair to 31 December 2009) - Director, Growth Solutions Group and Adjunct Professor in Communications, RMIT University. Honorary Doctor of Communication (RMIT). Former President of the Melbourne International Arts Festival.
more info...
Initial Advisory Board suggestions
On what basis are these people qualified to look after the Victorian College of the Arts' interests, being a course for the practical training of artists? There are no currently practicing artists on this list. Yet these people have been the VCA's representatives in its affairs with the University of Melbourne since amalgamation.
- HANSARD Assembly 22 August 2006, p2667-2900
- HANSARD Assembly 22 August 2006, p2667-2900
- HANSARD Assembly 22 August 2006, p2667-2900
- HANSARD Assembly 22 August 2006, p2667-2900
- Faculty of the VCA Fact Sheet provided in Dean's introduction on VCAM website, 1 June 2009, p3
- Statute 5.5.R1, University of Melbourne website, 23.1
- http://vca.unimelb.edu.au/advisoryboard/