“I am delighted that Susie is joining the CinefestOZ Board in this our 16th year,” CinefestOZ Chair Margaret Buswell said.
“A long-term Board member of the internationally recognised WAAPA (Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts), Susie brings to the CinefestOZ Board more than twenty years’ experience working in education and television – producing children’s television programs, morning television shows and one-off special projects.
“She has also worked closely with Arts organisations in the US and Australia in her capacity as wife of WA Governor and Ambassador to the United States, Kim Beazley.”
Ms Annus said, “I am honoured to join the board of CinefestOZ.
“I have always had a belief in the importance of the Arts in defining the community and national culture.
“Essential to the vibrancy of our communities, the Arts also contribute to our understanding of each other and – with a long background in supporting various Arts institutions – I look forward to now working with the talented team at CinefestOZ who have created a unique festival that champions emerging and established talent in the Australian film industry.
“I’m very much looking forward to my first official role attending CinefestOZ Albany (27-30 April), followed by flagship event CinefestOZ Busselton (29 August –3 September) and CinefestOZ Broome, WA’s First Nations Film Festival presented with Goolarri Media (26-29 October).”
Susie will serve alongside other dedicated members of the CinefestOZ board including Chair Margaret Buswell, Deputy Chair Emma Scotney, Deputy Chair Duncan Ord, Treasurer Pauline Vukelic, Secretary Dot West, Jub Clerc, and Diana Wearing Smith.
“CinefestOZ would like to take this opportunity to thank outgoing Board members Deputy Chair and Treasurer Gary Evershed and Festival co-founder Helen Shervington OAM, for their significant contribution and dedication to CinefestOZ and the Australian film industry, Ms Buswell said.
“Helen has been a driving force behind the hugely successful festival, with an incredible 15 years’ service, which saw CinefestOZ grow into a nationally and internationally respected film Festival that also delivers a film education program for regional school children and a well-regarded First nations program, IndigifestOZ.
“Personally, Helen has been a true friend and mentor to me during my time at the Festival and I thank her for her unwavering support and wish her all the best in future endeavours.”
About Susie Annus:
Susie is a recipient of the Penguin Award – an annual award given for excellence in broadcasting by the Television Society of Australia – for the production values of “Teamworkz” a thirteen-part series that combined drama and music; and an Institute of Architect’s Award for her Television Series “Your Place or Mine”.
She is also a keen and accomplished photographer. During her six years in Washington Ms Annus oversaw major updating of the residence and gardens and produced a pictorial history of the Australian Ambassador’s residence researching and recording information that would otherwise have been lost to history.
Most recently during her time at Government House in Western Australia, she organised events that expanded the community experience of Government House through initiatives such as “Restart the Arts, round table talks and lectures and introduced music education for young people in disadvantage suburbs. The Arts became a major focus of the Governor’s Program during the last four years.
About CinefestOZ
CinefestOZ is a not-for-profit organisation that has grown exponentially over its 16-year history with the board consisting entirely of volunteers who celebrate Australian film and dedicate their time to producing the festival.
CinefestOZ thanks Presenting Partner Tourism WA, Premium Partners Screenwest and City of Busselton and Community Partner Rio Tinto. The festival acknowledges its strong support from Lotterywest and Screen Australia.