The Board is very pleased to announce the recent appointments of David McAllister AC, Lynda McAlary-Smith and Gerlinde Scholz to The Australian Ballet School’s Board of Directors.

David McAllister AC is well known to you as an alumnus of the School with a career history spanning Artistic Director of The Australian Ballet (2001-2020), after rising through the ranks to Principal Artist. Today, he is a freelance choreographer, teacher and coach. He recently finished a year as interim Artistic Director of Royal New Zealand Ballet before taking up a 2024 guest Artistic Director role at WA Ballet. David is also a founding director of an international ballet consultancy and has a Graduate Diploma in Arts and Entertainment Management. David’s contribution to the artform has been recognised with numerous awards including appointment as a Member of the Order of Australia for services to ballet (2004), promoted to Companion of the Order of Australia in 2021, and the Queen Elizbeth II Coronation Award awarded by the Royal Academy of Dance in the same year. We look forward to the rich contribution David brings to the School’s governance.

Lynda McAlary-Smith is an accomplished public purpose senior executive. Currently the Victorian Small Business Commissioner, Lynda is a lawyer with management qualifications and a wealth of experience in leadership roles with the Commonwealth and Victorian State governments in areas including business, workplace relations and building and construction. Her corporate leadership responsibilities have included audit, governance, regulation, human resources, occupational health and safety, and technology. A longstanding ballet devotee and Ambassador to the Australian Cervical Cancer Foundation, Lynda’s comprehensive skills and experience align seamlessly with the School’s organisational values.

Gerlinde Scholz is a not-for-profit sector leader with experience in both senior executive and director roles and a track record of success in leading transformational growth in for-purpose organisations. Most recently, she served as the Executive Officer of Community Foundations Australia, the national peak body for community owned and managed philanthropic foundations. Her executive experience includes Chief Operating Officer and other management roles with a medical research institute and as Director of Development at the University of Melbourne. Gerlinde has served on boards for organisations engaged in banking, sustainability, women’s health, and family counselling. Her experience in governance and management in values-based organisations and skills in resource mobilisation and capacity building bring important strategic and leadership perspectives to the Board.

Please join me in welcoming and congratulating David McAllister AC, Lynda McAlary-Smith and Gerlinde Scholz.

At the end of last year, we farewelled Robin Campbell after a distinguished tenure marked by a dedication reflecting her passion for the School and the art form. Robin joined the Board in 2015 (January) before becoming Deputy Chair in 2017 (May). We are deeply grateful for her strategic acumen and commitment to excellence that have helped steer the School through stages of change and growth, including the pivotal role she played in the establishment of the School’s boarding facility, Marilyn Rowe House (MRH). Her governance skills, advocacy and support have contributed significantly to the School's standing as a beacon of artistic and educational excellence.

We have the deepest gratitude for Robin, and welcome existing Board member, Adrian Burnett, to the role of Deputy Chair.

We look forward to the School building on its success and achieving new heights in this exciting 60^th Anniversary year, and well beyond. We look forward to you being part of that journey.  

With warm regards

Sarah Matheson

Chair, The Australian Ballet School.