Music Victoria, a peak body funded by the Victorian Government and representing the contemporary music industry in Victoria has announced that The Age’s chief music writer Patrick Donovan will be taking up the position of the organisation’s founding chief executive officer. A press release sent out today quoted Music Victoria President Andrew Walker as saying ”Patrick will provide leadership in the development of our music industry and its talented artists and building on Victoria’s reputation as the home of Australian contemporary music. I congratulate the music community for all their hard work in getting Music Victoria to this stage and look forward to an exciting future.”
Music Victoria was set up by the Victorian Government in February 2010 in response to the political shit storm they encountered when failing to listen to the needs of the music community when enforcing licensing conditions, particularly in relation to the Tote in Collingwood being forced to shut down. A protest rally in February attended by around 20,000 music fans alerted Spring Street to the very real possibility of this issue deciding the fate of several inner Melbourne seats at the next election and led to the establishment of Music Victoria as a political pacifier.
Tone Deaf warmly congratulates Paddy on being appointed CEO. There is no more vocal supporter of live music in Victoria and it’s not a passion held at arm’s length – Paddy is no stranger to sinking a beer with the punters down the front at a gig. Dealing with inert public servants and prevaricating politicians can be a thankless task, akin to pushing shit uphill; so we wish him luck in the gig and trust his determination will effect some positive changes.
Tone Deaf is still working on our contribution to ‘keeping the bastards honest’ in advance of the coming election and we hope to make an announcement next month on how we’re going to do our bit – along with your, our reader’s help – to rock the vote.
