10 February 2021

Shepparton Art Museum (SAM) Limited and SAM Foundation are thrilled to announce the appointment of former GV Health Foundation Director Carmel Johnson, as the new SAM Head of Development.

Carmel will join the SAM team to take the reigns on the highly successful building capital campaign and manage SAM’s ongoing fundraising. She will be supported in the role by Ardmona resident Anna Turnbull.

SAM Artistic Director and CEO Dr Rebecca Coates welcomed Carmel and Anna to the team.

“We are delighted to welcome Carmel and Anna at this exciting time with the new building nearly complete,” Rebecca said.

“The pair will bring a deep understanding of our community’s values and, draw on their extensive networks to ensure we engage with a cross section of our community.

“I look forward to working with them to nurture opportunities for local businesses, develop partnerships with wider networks keen to contribute to a great arts and cultural story for regional Victoria.”

SAM Foundation Chair John Head, also welcomed Carmel and Anna to the SAM family.

“It’s exciting to have top quality professionals joining the Foundation and we look forward to working with them to finalise the building capital campaign and continue securing program and endowment funding for SAM,” John said.

“The pair will build on the work of an already successful campaign which has raised more than $7.5 million in pledges so far.

“We are inviting the community to continue to embrace this opportunity and to continue to give to the building capital campaign and SAM’s programs more broadly.

“The building is nearing completion and we are getting closer to an exciting opening of a cultural icon of national significance that will positively add to the local economy and put Shepparton on the map as a major destination to work, live and visit.”

Carmel said SAM would be game changing for the Greater Shepparton community.

“The new SAM is providing the community with a unique opportunity. This aspirational building is a reflection of what our community is capable of, a place to celebrate and immerse ourselves in our diverse culture and rich Indigenous history.

“SAM will stimulate participation in the arts and all things creative, it will generate pride and a true sense of place.”

In coming weeks, the SAM team will begin the enormous undertaking of moving the art collection to the new building and start installing exhibitions. The building will open later in 2021.

Carmel Johnson has led major projects and fundraising campaigns on behalf of the Greater Shepparton community for the past three decades.

She is an enthusiastic advocate for the region and is actively involved in numerous organisations including serving in the inaugural role as Chair of the SheppARTon Festival.

Anna is a former journalist and communications specialist. She lives with her family on an orchard in Tatura.

ENDS