NEWSLETTER | JULY 2025
In the last year we were delighted to work once again with Queensland South Native Title Services, undertaking a board review to help QSNTS maintain high standards of governance. We also worked on two projects with a new client – the University of Melbourne’s Janet Clarke Hall – a governance review and support for a mid-term review for the College’s Principal. For the New South Wales Government’s Create NSW we undertook a review of a major visual arts client to assist with future funding decisions. We completed an Arts and Cultural Plan for Hornsby Shire(Sydney) and a Heritage Plan for the City of Ipswich. As part of a UK-led team we helped with operational planning for the Schwarzman Centre – a new home for the humanities at Oxford University scheduled to open in late 2025. A rich and varied range of projects!
We are delighted to update you on what we have been working on in the arts and not-for-profit sectors, continuing our work with organisations committed to effective leadership and positive social and cultural impacts.
LAUNCH OF THE BOOK OF THE BOARD 4TH EDITION
The Book of the Board
It is over twenty years since publication of the first edition of The Book of the Board. The book was written to address the absence of advice for the board and management committee members of Australian and UK board members. We are proud to announce the upcoming release of a new edition of The Book of the Board.
The period since the book’s launch has been punctuated by a global financial crisis, floods, fires, pandemic, and distant wars with global impacts. For Australian not-for-profit (NFP) organisations it has also seen the establishment of a new regulator, the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC), and a growing range of supporting services, including the Institute of Community Directors Australia, initiatives by the Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD) and the Governance Institute of Australia.
The new edition continues to provide a reference for board members and CEOs on the key functions of the board – but it places the board’s work and its decision-making in the context of a much-changed environment. The content has been significantly amended. In addition to a hard copy, the book is also now available as an e-book.
The Book of the Board is available in paperback from Positive Solutions, and in paperback or e-book from, Booktopia, Amazon and Kobo.
SPECIAL WEBINAR: DO WE NEED A BOARD?
28TH AUGUST, 2025
Special Webinar
To coincide with the launch of the new edition of The Book of the Board, we will be hosting a series of webinars for non-profit board members and CEOs. These will provide advice, perspectives on sector trends and challenges, and an opportunity to connect with peers and industry leaders.
The first of these special Book of the Board launch events asks ‘Do we need a board?’ David Fishel will be joined by two expert panellists with wide-ranging board and governance experience – Heather Watson and Steven Bowman. More details to follow.
TAKING STOCK
THE WAY OUR WORK HAS EVOLVED
Taking Stock
It is nearly 30 years since Positive Solutions started work in Australia, following its establishment a few years earlier in the UK. We thought it well overdue to cast a look back at the way our work has evolved, and consider some of our key take-aways and learnings from nearly three decades of arts and non-profit consulting and training (nearly four decades taking our previous UK work into account). This brief introduction sets the scene for a couple of longer-form reflective articles which we will present shortly.
Since Positive Solutions started working in Australia we have undertaken over 600 projects. These have ranged across:
- Local government cultural planning
- State and Federal Government research, planning and program development – in Australia, New Zealand and Hong Kong
- Facilities and precinct development through feasibility studies, business cases, business and operational planning, financial modelling and recruitment
- Organisational development for arts and not-for-profit organisations
- Board training and governance reviews
- Special initiatives – such as the Foresters Community Finance QuickstART micro loan scheme
A year before Covid struck we moved from an office-based environment to remote working, reflecting the fact that our support team and consultants were all well-equipped for this, and that a growing range of software and apps made independent working increasingly productive and efficient – the office was no longer regularly needed. There has undoubtedly been a knock-on effect on the informal connections and learning between team members staff, but there are also significant benefits in flexibility, and cost.
We have enjoyed positive collaborations with other consulting firms on many of our projects including, for example, Judith James, The Maytrix Group, and Sharpe Advisory, along with professional service firms such as Williams Ross Architects, McCullough Robertson lawyers and Harwood Andrews.
In the next few months we’ll publish a couple of long-form articles reflecting on how the work, the client base, the arts and the not-for-profit sector have evolved. We will reflect on what we have learned. On what has changed. And what has not.
RECENT PROJECTS
A YEAR IN REVIEW
IPSWICH HERITAGE PLAN
VIEW PROJECT PROFILE
Ipswich is notable for having over 7,000 protected heritage places. The City has an established commitment to heritage conservation, dating back to the Ipswich Heritage Study of 1992 and the Expanded Ipswich Heritage Study of 1997. These were pioneering efforts in Queensland, setting the stage for robust heritage management practices. The current heritage management approach includes initiatives such as the Heritage Adviser service, Picture Ipswich, an evolving digital archive, and heritage collections as part of the City of Ipswich Collection. Missing from Ipswich’s heritage approach was an over-arching City-wide plan to coordinate heritage efforts across Council. We were delighted to work with officers and Councillors in the development of this Plan, facilitating internal discussions, and providing a clear practical set of actions for the next four years, focused on effective management of Council-owned heritage assets. The City Council team were a pleasure to work with.
THE SCHWARZMAN CENTRE AT OXFORD UNIVERSITY
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A substantial donation from U.S. private equity and investment leader Stephen Schwarzman has enabled the University to build a new home for the humanities. This major addition to the University’s infrastructure will house seven humanities faculties (currently dispersed across the city), an Internet Institute, a consolidated humanities library along with a 500-seat concert hall, a theatre space and exhibition areas. It is the arts facilities that led our colleagues at Human Economics to invite us to join them in assisting the University with planning for the Centre, including financial modelling, strategic and operational planning, and addressing the ways in which the Centre’s cultural program can interact with the research, teaching and learning functions of the Centre and the Humanities Division. A privilege to work on such a significant project – in the country where Positive Solutions started business 35 years ago.
HORNBY SHIRE COUNCIL ARTS & CUTURAL PLAN
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In response to the shifting dynamics of Hornsby Shire (Sydney), Positive Solutions was engaged by Hornsby Shire Council to develop a forward-looking Arts and Cultural Plan. With a diverse community and growing population, this is a pivotal Key Initiative in the Council’s Delivery Program. A community-wide survey, group discussions and interviews have informed the development of the Plan, which will frame Councils future investment in the arts.
CITY OF CASEY BUNJIL PLACE CHARITABLE VEHICLE
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Positive Solutions developed an operational plan for the Yalukit Willam Gateway Building (Bayside, Victoria) to maximise its potential as a visitor hub, cultural space and community asset. Our work included governance and staffing recommendations, benchmarking research, financial modelling and implementation guidance. We assessed operating models, provided comparative insights from similar facilities, and outlined three operational scenarios reflecting different cost and vision levels.
BAYSIDE CITY COUNCIL YALUKIT WILLIAM GATEWAY BUILDING
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Positive Solutions advised the City of Casey (Victoria) on establishing a charitable vehicle for Bunjil Place to attract funding while protecting Council’s interests. We assessed options, including discretionary trusts, arms-length entities and community foundation models, evaluating deliverability, costs, tax implications and governance. Our work included research, benchmarking, and stakeholder engagement to recommend the best approach. This was the latest in a series of projects we have undertaken in relation to Bunjil Place’s development.
GUNNEDAH CONSERVATORIUM STRATEGIC PLAN
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After supporting Gunnedah Conservatorium’s governance development in 2023, Positive Solutions was engaged to develop its 2025–2029 Strategic Plan through comprehensive stakeholder engagement. We gathered input from students, parents, staff, board members and community partners via surveys, focus groups, interviews and benchmarking. We supported the Conservatorium Director and Board in drafting the final plan.
LEETON SHIRE COUNCIL THEATRE REDEVELOPMENT
Following Council plans to redevelop the Roxy Community Theatre, Positive Solutions was approached by Leeton Shire Council to review financial forecasts for the redeveloped theatre, assessing both independent NFP and Council-operated models. Our work included analysing one-year and five-year forecasts, evaluating funding prospects, conducting stakeholder interviews and benchmarking against industry standards. We provided a final report with findings and recommendations to guide operational planning.
GOVERNANCE SPOTLIGHT
Positive Solutions has continued to deliver governance reviews for a diverse range of not-for-profit clients.
FIRESTICKS GOVERNANCE REVIEW
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Firesticks is a not-for-profit Indigenous network, that aims to promote cultural burning by facilitating cultural learning pathways related to fire and land management. Firesticks supports Indigenous leadership, and protects natural and cultural values. Positive Solutions was engaged by Firesticks to conduct a comprehensive Governance Review. The resulting report provides practical recommendations, empowering Firesticks to navigate its path forward effectively.
JUTE THEATRE GOVERNANCE REVIEW
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We worked with JUTE Theatre Company for the second consecutive year, conducting an annual governance audit for the organisation. This high-level governance health check reviewed board processes, policies, planning and compliance measures. The audit involved interviews with key stakeholders, a review of updated governance documents and an assessment of actions taken since the previous audit.
QSNTS GOVERNANCE REVIEW
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Another returning client was Queensland South Native Title Services (QSNTS). Positive Solutions has conducted governance reviews several times for QSNTS. The 2024 review built on findings from previous years, assessing board effectiveness, governance documentation and areas for improvement while providing comparative insights over time.
JANET CLARKE HALL COUNCIL & PRINCIPAL REVIEW
VIEW PROJECT PROFILE
Positive Solutions was engaged by Janet Clarke Hall (JCH) to assist with conducting a Council (Board) review. The review involved assessing JCH’s board performance across a range of dimensions and providing commentary on JCH’s governance documentation.
Working closely with the Chairs of the JCH Board and the Governance Committee Positive Solutions consulted with the Principal, staff and key stakeholders to form a rounded view of progress and issues for the attention of the Board and Principal. Staff and board members were both generous with their time and focused on securing a productive result from the review. For Positive Solutions it was a rewarding opportunity to work with a leading university institution.
ONLINE GOVERNANCE COURSE
FOR THE UNION FOR PROGRESSIVE JUDAISM (UPJ)
VIEW PROJECT PROFILE
UPJ is a membership body for Progressive Jewish congregations in a region which stretches from India to New Zealand, and includes congregations in Australia. In 2022 the UPJ asked Positive Solutions to develop a training program for the boards of its constituent members, aiming to enhance the effectiveness of synagogue boards, and to encourage best practice. In common with many other not-for-profit organisations the boards of synagogues are diverse in their professional and governance experience. In close consultation with UPJ we devised a four-module webinar series, including guest contributors, and timing the delivery to work across the wide range of time-zones.
The success of the 2022 program led to a second, revised program (following a survey of participants) in 2024, with the addition of a series of customised case studies to stimulate discussion on common topics and challenges faced by the board members.
WOW UPDATES
It is over 10 years now since Positive Solutions Co-Director Cathy Hunt AM facilitated the start of the WOW – Women of the World movement in Australia in partnership originally with the South Bank Centre London and now the global WOW Foundation. From Katherine to Cairns, Brisbane to Melbourne, WOW events in Australia have reached over 100,000 people face to face and through our digital programs. We have heard over 1000 women’s stories and provided contracts to over 200 artists and performers. Using the power of storytelling to create change for individuals, communities and organisations we have benefited greatly from relationships with key cultural institutions such as the ABC, Queensland Performing Arts Centre, Brisbane Powerhouse, Brisbane Festival, Cairns Indigenous Art Fair, Red Ridge in Outback Queensland and the Godinymayin Rivers Art and Cultural Centre in Katherine to name a few.
The COVID years forced a change of model which we intend to build on, working more and more with regional and rural communities, celebrating the stories of women and non-binary leaders across all sectors, and with men’s organisations that are changing the narrative for young men and boys. The end of February sees our exhibition ‘In her Name’ at the Banana Shire Regional Gallery in Biloela; a sold out performance of Women in Jazz at Brisbane Jazz Club and our first ever ‘Think-In’ community consultation for a future festival in Coffs Harbour. Events in Brisbane and Gladstone will follow later in the year. Check out www.wowaustralia.com.au and follow us @wowaustralia @wowglobal
TEAM UPDATES
Welcomes
We welcome to the team Hannah Lane! Hannah will be providing project and research support to Positive Solutions and draws on over a decade of experience in the Australian arts and cultural sector. With her skills in marketing and communications, she has been instrumental in launching the new edition of The Book of the Board.
In addition to her research and administration acumen, Hannah a leading specialist in baroque harp and a core member of acclaimed ensembles such as the Australian Brandenburg Orchestra and Pinchgut Opera. She is the Artistic Director of Ensemble 642, based in Naarm/Melbourne.
