ScreenWest is Western Australia's film funding and development agency dedicated to the growth and promotion of film and television activity in this State. We aim to provide leadership, support and services to advance Western Australia as an internationally recognized centre for screen production.

Culture and Arts Minister Sheila McHale today announced the appointment of a new chairperson and three new board members to Western Australia's peak film and television agency.

Ms McHale said the newest members of the State Government's ScreenWest Board would be instrumental in helping ScreenWest in its role of providing strategic support, funding and services to the State's booming film and television industry.

The Minister announced Debra Shorter as the board's new chairperson. Ms Shorter is strategic planning director with Perth advertising agency Marketforce.

Other new board members announced today are Andrew Ogilvie (producer),
Joan Peters (lawyer and executive producer) and Ric Curtin (sound manager).

"The considerable expertise of these people speaks for itself," Ms McHale said. "Their talents will combine well with those of existing board members in helping to guide our screen industry not only with energy and creativity but with a decidedly strategic focus."

The Minister praised outgoing chairperson Ed Punchard for his commitment over the last two years and also thanked retiring board members John Fiocco, Tania Chambers and Alastair Bryant for their valuable contributions.

"The Western Australian screen industry is at an exciting stage of its development and recent successes in features, television drama and documentaries have strengthened its profile," Ms McHale said. "2004 will be a year of even greater growth for the WA industry - one the Gallop Government is proud to support."

Members of the ScreenWest Board are now:

Ms Debra Shorter (chairperson), appointed chairperson to 31/12/04
with board member status to 31/12/06;
Ms Dot West, producer, reappointed for three years to 31/12/06;
Ms Joan Peters, lawyer and executive producer, appointed for three
years to 31/12/06;
Mr James Bogle, writer and director, reappointed for two years to
31/12/05;
Mr Andrew Ogilvie, producer, appointed for two years to 31/12/05;
Mr Ric Curtin, sound manager, appointed for two years to 31/12/05;
Mr Ed Punchard, producer, reappointed for one year to 31/12/04;
Ms Sue Milliken, producer, reappointed for one year to 31/12/04; and
Mr Graeme Sward, television director and producer, reappointed for
one year to 31/12/04.