The Australia Council met in Melbourne recently to discuss a wide range of policy issues, as well as to meet with Federal Arts Minister, Senator Rod Kemp, and key members of the Melbourne arts community. At the gathering, the council welcomed four new members: Ian McRae (VIC), as Chairman of the Theatre Board; Christopher Tassell (TAS), as Chairman of Community Cultural Development Board; former Australia Council Regional Arts Panel member (QLD), Christine Pulvirenti; and Community Interest Representative, Terrey Arcus (NSW). Australia Council Chairman, David Gonski also marked the occasion with a tribute to outgoing Deputy Chair and Major Performing Arts Board Chair, Dr Helen Nugent, who resigned recently. Nugent, who spent five years with the council, led the 1999 inquiry into the major performing arts organisations, which won a $71 million injection of funds into the nation's 28 largest arts companies over four years. Federal Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts, Senator Richard Alston, praised Nugent’s work: ‘The clarity and foresight of the Nugent Report has made a huge difference in putting Australia’s major performing arts sector on a viable and stable basis,’ he said. ‘The report will be an enduring testament to Helen’s magnificent contribution to the arts in this country.’