ARCHIVED MEDIA RELEASE
PA/15/2002 29 August 2002
Sydney Olympics CEO Sandy Hollway appointed to Australia-India Council
The Chief Executive Officer of the 2000 Sydney Olympics, Mr David (Sandy) Hollway AO, has been appointed to the Board of the Australia-India Council (AIC).
The appointment, which will be for a three-year period, was announced in Canberra yesterday by the Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Alexander Downer.
Sandy Hollway made a high-profile visit to India in September last year, on an invitation from the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), to share his experiences of managing the Sydney Games and to talk about the role of volunteers in that success.
In Delhi, he launched India's contribution to the Australian-inspired international movement "Clean-Up-the-World". India's project for the 2001 campaign involved student volunteers cleaning up their neighbourhoods.
Mr Hollway's experience as a senior government official and administrator, Chief Executive Officer of the Sydney Organising Committee for the Olympic Games and as Chairman of the NSW Advisory Committee for the International Year of Volunteers will expand the skills and experience represented on the Australia-India Council.
Established by the Australian Government, the Council has worked for the past ten years to broaden and deepen Australia-India relations. It initiates and supports activities designed to enhance awareness and understanding between the peoples and institutions of both countries. AIC activities cover a wide range of areas including education, the arts, environment, law and governance, commerce, health and social issues, news media, film and sport.
Announcing Mr Hollway's appointment, Mr Downer said: "The Government is strongly committed to further strengthening all aspects of Australia's cooperation with India. I am confident that Mr Hollway's appointment will play an important role in ensuring that the AIC continues to make a valuable contribution to these efforts."
Mr Hollway has had a distinguished career in the Australian public service. He has been Secretary of two Commonwealth Government Departments: Employment, Training and Youth Affairs from 1996-1997; and Industry, Science and Technology from 1993-96. He has also held key positions in the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and was Chief of Staff in Prime Minister Bob Hawke's office from 1988 to 1990.
For further information, contact Rory Medcalf (First Secretary), tel. 6888 223, extension 197.