Inaugural Sculthorpe Chair of Australian Music announced

The late Peter Sculthorpe AO OBE generously left a bequest to the University to promote and advance music in Australia through the establishment of the Chair. Arguably Australia's preeminent composer, Sculthorpe wished for the Chair to "grow to become a greater support for the cause of Australian music "as that cause has been the impetus for my whole compositional life." He also wanted the Chair to be a "recognition of my love for Australia and the mysterious presence of its land especially in its remote areas." Emeritus Professor Sculthorpe had lectured at the University since 1963. He died in 2014 aged 85. Liza Lim is one of Australia's most internationally renowned composers. She has enjoyed a stellar career working with the world's most eminent festivals, orchestras and ensembles as well as having an outstanding track record of research leadership. In 2018 she was awarded the Australia Council of the Arts highest honour in music, the Don Banks Award in recognition of her "unique output as a composer, work as an influential academic and teacher, and leadership particularly in the areas of gender and music, and in mentoring new generations of composers." In response to her appointment Professor Lim said: "I'm incredibly honoured to be appointed to the Sculthorpe Chair at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music. "I'm inspired by Peter Sculthorpe's generosity and vision and of course, his iconic legacy as an Australian composer who looked to Asia and Indigenous Australia for new points of orientation.