Our Board of Directors
Rev. dr arthur bridge - Founder and CEO
Rev. Dr Arthur E Bridge was educated at Sydney, Perth and Oxford universities, and has spent over 20 years working in the fields of health and community service, education and the arts. In 2008, Sydney University awarded Fr Bridge a Doctor of Music (honoris causa) for his outstanding contribution to Australian music, particularly his great support of early career artistic practice and audience development in Western Sydney.
He was awarded a medal in the Order of Australia (OAM) for his services to young people in 1989 and was subsequently appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for his services to the arts particularly through his sponsorship of new Australian musical compositions. was educated at Sydney, Perth and Oxford universities, and has spent over 20 years working in the fields of health and community service, education and the arts. In 2008, Sydney University awarded Fr Bridge a Doctor of Music (honoris causa) for his outstanding contribution to Australian music, particularly his great support of early career artistic practice and audience development in Western Sydney.
The hon. George Palmer AM QC
The Hon. George Palmer AM, QC, (b. 1947) was a Judge of the Supreme Court of New South Wales from 2001 until 2011 when he resigned to devote himself full-time to composition.
Palmer’s music came to the attention of the ABC in 2003, resulting in an episode of Australian Story on ABC TV in 2004, a live broadcast by ABC FM of a concert of his orchestral music and the release by ABC Classics of two CDs, Attraction of Opposites, containing his orchestral music, and Exultate Dominum, containing choral music.
His works include music for large orchestra, chamber ensembles, choir a cappella and with orchestra, song cycles and concertos for a variety of instruments. His music is performed by leading orchestras, soloists and chamber groups throughout Australia and New Zealand, and in the USA and Europe. For the Pope’s visit to Sydney for World Youth Day 2008, he was commissioned to compose the Papal Mass, Benedictus Qui Venit, which was performed to an audience of 350,000.
His opera of Tim Winton’s Cloudstreet was premiered by State Opera South Australia in 2016. Described by The Australian as “a resounding triumph”, it played to full houses and standing ovations. From 2004 to 2011 he was President of the Arts Law Centre of Australia and from 2003 to 2015 he was Chair of Pacific Opera Company Ltd. In 2010 he was made a Member of the Order of Australia “for services to the law as a judge and to music as a composer and in leadership roles.”
Valda Sylvy
Valda Silvy is currently the Producer of Music Programs at the Joan Sutherland Performing Arts Centre Penrith, and a consultant to the Penrith Conservatorium. In this role Valda has seen the commissioning of new musical works by Peter Sculthorpe, Elena Kats-Chernin, Ann Carr-Boyd, and Ross Edwards. Valda has also organised Gala concerts for major events including an eight concert grand piano spectacular and the 25th Anniversary concert ‘LA STUPENDA’. Valda has also been instrumental in a successful 30 year Morning Melody program.
Prior to the above Valda’s previous roles with the Joan Sutherland Performing Arts Centre have been:
General Manager of the Joan Sutherland Performing Arts Centre (1990-2004).
Director of the Conservatorium of Music (2004 – 2010)
As General Manager for the Joan Sutherland Performing Art Centre, Valda was responsible for
Managing all aspects of the Joan Sutherland Performing Art Centre.
Producing and presenting professional performances in music and other related musical activities and events.
Establishing the Penrith Conservatorium of Music, consisting of 28 accredited professional teachers, 350 private students and 90 students involved in group classes.
.Establishing programs with the Western Sydney University, NSW TAFE, high Schools in the Western Region.
Valda has also curated many major art exhibitions from Utopia and Central Desert, including a personal visit of Clifford Possum to the Joan Sutherland Performing Arts Centre. She also organised a major display of Dame Joan Sutherland’s costumes and related artworks. Other exhibitions in the creative arts were held each year at The Joan Sutherland.