Arts patron Ken Hinds and arts promoter, Joan Benson congratulate each other over their respective awards inside Ken’s stunning new private gallery on the Hinterland
Two iconic figures of the Hinterland have been honoured in recent weeks. Arts patron Ken Hinds and arts promoter Joan Benson have each been recognised for their contributions to the richness of Queensland cultural life.
Joan was recently given an Alan Edwards Lifetime Achievement Award by the Actors and Entertainers Benevolent Fund in Brisbane.
The Award recognises her 60 plus years in the performing arts as director, actress, lecturer, adjudicator and organiser of arts events. Joan has served on numerous boards including the theatre board of the Australia Council, the first board of the Queensland Theatre Company, Queensland ABC Advisory Board, Queensland Arts Council and Queensland’s regional forum for SE Queensland.
She is still actively involved with the Maleny Arts Council. Joan has the Order of Australia Medal for services to theatre.
Ken is an engineer and well known for his support of the arts. He is patron of the Caloundra Regional Art Gallery, Caloundra Chorale and Theatre Company Inc, Friends of Caloundra Regional Art Gallery, Hinterland Young Artists Association and Caloundra Junior Boxing.
Before retiring recently Ken was a court appointed referee and arbitrator and was involved in multi-million dollar construction projects for companies such as Air Services Australia, Blue Scope Steel, Sydney Airports Corporation and Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority.
He was awarded a Centenary Medal for honorary services to engineering & construction industries, and the arts and he recently become an Honorary Senior Fellow of the Sunshine Coast University.
Ken is now concentrating his energies on completing a private gallery at his Mt Mellum property to house his many thousands of paintings, Islander artefacts, toys and ceramics collected over a period of 40 years.
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