The Australia Council for the Arts welcomes Arts Minister Peter Garrett’s appointment of Lynette Narkle to its Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander arts board for a three-year term from February 2008.

‘Lynette is an active member of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community renowned for her commitment to the development and promotion of Indigenous theatre and film,’ said Australia Council Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander arts board chair Dr Chris Sarra.

‘We are delighted to welcome Lynette and value the considerable skills and expertise she will bring to the board,’ Chris said.

From Western Australia, Lynette Narkle is a highly respected performer and director of Indigenous theatre and film. She has been a pivotal force in theatre for more than 30 years. Her film and television credits include Heartlands (1994), Natural Justice (1996), Heat (1996), Jackaroo (1990), and Southern Cross (2001).

She has worked as a director with the acclaimed Yirra Yaakin Theatre Company and was a project officer at Screen West, increasing the engagement of Indigenous filmmakers with screen culture.

Dr Chris Sarra also welcomed the reappointment of Territorian visual artist Terry Marawili and South Australian dancer/choreographer Gina Rings to the board for a further term.