Two positions open for APRA Board Observership 

Second year for the leadership opportunity as an APRA Board Observer.

Fred Leone and Catherine Satour were the 2023 NATSIMO Observers.

Expressions of Interest open to APRA AMCOS members:

• 1x position Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander
  

• 1x position Woman of Colour
  

Following the success of this year's inaugural NATSIMO Observerships, the NATSIMO (National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Music Office), APRA AMCOS and The Observership Program are pleased to announce that expressions of interest are now open for a second round of APRA Observerships for 2024.

The Observerships offer two candidates the opportunity to develop confidence and experience in boardroom leadership and governance.

For the 2024 opportunity, NATSIMO and APRA AMCOS have broadened the application criteria. Two positions are open to APRA AMCOS members: one is designated for an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person, and the second for a Woman of Colour.

Expressions of interest are now open and will close at 11:59PM AEDT on Sunday 19 November.

In 2023, two Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander APRA AMCOS songwriter members, Fred Leone and Catherine Satour, participated in the NATSIMO Board Observership.

APRA Board Director Bic Runga was Leone's 'Board Buddy' during the program. In August, Fred was appointed to Music Australia's new advisory council.

"I'm so delighted Fred has had the chance to observe our wonderful board and executive leadership team ahead of his new appointment at Music Australia. The program has also given me valuable insight into Indigenous Australian culture and experiences through Fred. I'm excited the program will be continuing in its second year, providing even more opportunities to mutually foster diverse perspectives in music industry leadership."

Linda Bosidis, APRA Board Director and Managing Director, Mushroom Music Publishing, talked about her 'Board Buddy' experience with Catherine Satour.

"I feel lucky to have had this experience with Catherine and express my heartfelt gratitude for her participation in the NATSIMO Board Observership. Through Catherine’s diverse range of talents, as a singer/songwriter, advocating and implementing programs across the Northern Territory including Local Government and supporting numerous programs for Indigenous women in music, I have gained a deeper understanding of her culture and perspective. Our conversations have naturally continued outside of Board meetings and included broader subjects across the music industry. Her sharp mind and insights have been incredibly valuable.

"I am appreciative of the time Catherine has shared with us all, it’s an important step towards genuine inclusion, which benefits the whole industry."

Gill Dunn, APRA AMCOS, Senior Manager, Culture & Engagement, said about the program:

"The Observership Program is linked to APRA AMCOS’ broader equity strategy, to address the gap in representation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and people from other underrepresented communities at executive levels of the music industry.

"The intention at the heart of the Observership Program is to empower members from a wide range of communities and to enable their presence to have an impact, with APRA AMCOS and the APRA Board providing a supported framework for a hands-on learning experience.

"Observers can hopefully apply their experience so that they can inform and guide music industry organisations and engage meaningfully with music creators from their communities.

"NATSIMO generously extended a position this year to be placed with a community of music creators of colour, which goes towards the strong relationships we’re aiming to build upon across the membership.

"I see this opportunity as another solid foundational piece that opens networks and doors to self-determination for more diverse leadership models at senior positions and one that influences how APRA AMCOS does business within the music industry. I look forward to welcoming the two new Observers next year. Many thanks to NATSIMO, the APRA Board and Observership Program for supporting this initiative again."

The successful candidates will join the APRA Board as an Observer for each of the five board meetings APRA holds in 2024. They will be supported by an experienced APRA Board Director over the 12-month period.

Expressions of interest are open now and will close on Sunday 19 November, 11:59PM AEDT.