What Would Don Do?

What Would Don Do?

Much of the energy propelling Adelaide from genteel backwater to arts and cultural hothouse was released by the visionary and reforming zeal of Don Dunstan, Premier of South Australia between 1967 and 1979. As part of the celebrations around the centenary of Don ’s birth, this event looks at his legacy in art and culture by asking: what would Don do now, right here, right now?

The world has changed immensely since the 1960s and 70s, the state and the nation have new challenges. What would a radical vision for the future of Adelaide look like now? Are we still capable of such a re-imagining, or would Don Dunstan be dismissed as a crazy dreamer in today’s supposedly “pragmatic” world?

We bring together a group of people from across the arts and culture to explore what might culture contribute to Adelaide now, going forward into a far more uncertain world, while certainly remembering Dunstan's legacy.

Speakers:

Douglas Gautier A.M.

Douglas Gautier is an arts leader, currently Asia Society advisory council member and an international advisor to Hong Kong Arts mart HKPAX. His previous roles have included CEO of Royal Arts Complex Riyadh, CEO and Artistic Director Adelaide Festival Centre, Director of Hong Kong Arts Festival, Deputy Executive Director of Hong Kong Tourist Board and Head of Concert Music Australian Broadcasting Corporation. He has also held roles as the Chair of the Association of Asia Pacific Performing Arts Centres, Deputy Chancellor of Flinders University, on Advisory Boards of National Foundation for Australia China relations and Australia/Singapore arts group and as the Chair interim of UNESCO Asia Pacific creative cities network.

Lauren Hillman

Lauren Hillman is the General Manager of Channel 44 and a Board Director of the South Australian Film Corporation, with more than 19 years’ experience across television, digital media, production and broadcasting.

In partnership with C31 Melbourne, Lauren spearheaded the national rollout of community television streaming platform and Smart TV app CTV+, expanding access to Australian community content nationwide. She also represents the sector on the National Community Broadcasting Roundtable.

Lauren’s extensive production credits include Gardening Australia, Restoration Australia, Poh’s Kitchen and The Cook and the Chef. She wrote, directed and produced the ABC documentary series The Daters and co-produced the internationally award-winning documentary series You Are Not Alone. In 2015, she produced the 6.5-hour live Channel Nine Team Kids Easter Appeal, which raised more than $2.2 million for the Women’s & Children’s Hospital Foundation.

Lauren has also produced acclaimed Adelaide Fringe events featuring leading Australian personalities and was named one of Adelaide’s inaugural 40 Under 40 business leaders in 2018.

Victor Marshall

Graduate Researcher, Adelaide University

Dr Satu Teppo

Dr Satu Teppo recently received her doctorate from Adelaide University. She is currently a Research Assistant with research interests in new and emerging cultural policy practices, politics of cultural policy and organisational models within the arts and cultural field. Prior to commencing her doctoral studies, Satu worked in leadership roles in Europe, Asia and Australia across private, not-for-profit and public sectors. She has extensive experience in working in the arts and cultural field and has held senior positions in the arts and screen sectors within the South Australian public sector and worked as a Ministerial Arts Adviser to the South Australian Government. 

David Washington - What Don Did

David Washington is the Executive Director of The Don Dunstan Foundation. Before joining the Foundation he had a long career in journalism, most recently as editor of InDaily where he fostered arts coverage through an innovative non-profit journalism project, InReview.

Schedule:

5.30pm Doors open

6pm Event starts

7.40pm Q&A concludes, stay for a post-event drink

8pm Event concludes

Please note that this event will be recorded and livestreamed.