As Chair, Mr Wilcock will work closely with the other distinguished members of the Faculty Advisory Board and with the Dean, Professor Sharman Pretty, to provide strategic input to the Faculty’s future plans, to provide advice and support to enrich the Faculty programs, and to continually improve the Faculty’s interaction with and contribution to the broader community. Membership comprises high profile representatives from the arts profession, community and corporate sectors.

Professor Pretty describes Ian Wilcock’s appointment as being of great importance to the Faculty.

"I am delighted that Ian has agreed to be Chair of the Advisory Board. Ian brings with him a wealth of experience from his distinguished career as a leader and diplomat as well as from his keen interest in the arts and education. This combination of skills and understandings is invaluable and his advice, and that of his colleagues on the Advisory Board, will be warmly welcomed."

Ian Wilcock retired from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in January 2010 after a 38-year career in Australia's Foreign Service. Among the many key roles he held over his career, he was High Commissioner to South Africa and Ambassador to Israel. He had earlier diplomatic postings to Manila, Washington DC, London and Tel Aviv. Among the positions he held in DFAT's headquarters in Canberra, he was Head of the Public Diplomacy, Consular and Passports Division, which incorporated DFAT's international cultural programs. He was State Director for DFAT in Victoria from 2004 to 2008.

Mr Wilcock has served with distinction on many Boards including Asialink, the Australia China Business Council (Vic), the Australian Institute of International Affairs (Vic), Asia Australia Mental Health and the Deakin Business School. In the early 90’s he was also a Board member of the Australian American Educational Foundation and the Australian Centre for American Studies.

He has had a long term interest in the performing and visual arts and was a violinist in AYO (Australian Youth Orchestra) in the 1960's. Before he joined the diplomatic service, he taught at secondary school and tertiary level in Victoria, including at what is now Monash University Gippsland. He is a graduate of the University of Melbourne (BA), Monash University (Dip Ed) and the Australian Defence Force's Joint Services Staff College.

Other members of the VCAM Advisory Board are: Ms Mary Jo Capps, Mr Trevor Green, Ms Lesley Alway, Mr Simon Phillips, Ms Vanessa Pigrum, Professor John Daley, Ms Jerril Rechter, Professor Pip Pattison.

More information: http://www.vcam.unimelb.e...