Management Committee

QMusic is overseen by an elected management committee and operated by a small staff. The diversity, stability and leadership demonstrated by the Management Committee are key strengths of QMusic. The strategic recruitment of supplementary skill sets in 2009 will ensure QMusic’s position as a responsive and dynamic organisation into the future.

Robert Forster QMusic Patron Robert is one of the most important figures in Australian music, with a body of work which speaks authoritatively at an international level. The Go Betweens formed in 1978 and for much of the 1980s the band was based in the UK, releasing a total of six albums, creating one of Australian music's most important legacies, before splitting at the end of 1989. During the 1990s Robert spent time living in both Australia and Germany, recording his debut solo album Danger in the Past in Berlin in 1990. This release was followed by three further solo albums. In 1999 Beggars Banquet released Bellavista Terrace - Best of The Go-Betweens and to promote this album Robert and Grant McLennan embarked on a world tour, before reforming the Go-Betweens in 2002 and recording a further three albums. In 1995 the final Go-Between album Oceans Apart received an ARIA award for Best Adult Contemporary Album. Also in 2005, Robert started writing a regular column for The Monthly, an Australian magazine covering the arts, politics and society. On 6th May 2006 Grant McLennan died, bringing an end to The Go-Betweens. Robert continued writing his column for The Monthly, and received The Pascall Award for Critical Writing. In September and October 2007 the new Robert Forster solo album The Evangelist was recorded in London. Released in April 2008 through Capitol/EMI, it is Robert's first solo album for 12 years. www.robertforster.net

The 2013-2014 management committee consists of:

Michael Crutcher President - Michael Crutcher is the editor of The Courier-Mail, Queensland’s largest source of news and analysis. Michael has been editor since March 2010 following stints as the newspaper’s deputy editor, chief of staff and investigations editor. The Courier-Mail, which has published under a series of different mastheads since 1846, reaches more than 700,000 readers each day through its newspaper, website and iPad app. Earlier in his career, Michael spent a decade as a sportswriter, covering the Australian cricket and rugby union teams. In his spare time, Michael tries valiantly to prevent his music collection from overloading his mobile phone storage levels.

Leanne de Souza Vice-President Working in artist management since 1997 Leanne has represented several high profile Queensland artists including : Kate Miller-Heidke, Stringmansassy, george, Katie Noonan, Misinterprotato, Transport and Miles From Nowhere. Leanne is also a previous Executive Programmer of BIGSOUND (2006) and an experienced lecturer in music business at Griffith University, TAFE and JMC Academy. Leanne is currently busy managing the emerging North Queensland indie rock band The Medics and is a project officer with the boutique consultancy Fieldworx.

Ben Hancock Treasurer Ben is a Partner of the independently owned financial services firm, Stonehouse Wealth Management and a Director of mid-tier accounting firm, Bach & Company Chartered Accountants. Ben has completed studies in commerce, accounting and finance including a Master of Business Administration and Master of Financial Planning. He is a Graduate Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and is a fervent supporter of Queensland music.

Lynette Irwin Secretary Lynette’s been working in the Queensland music industry for just on 20 years as music producer, presenter, promoter and manager specializing in jazz. She is Creative Director of Absolute Events and heads the record label Pinnacles Music. Lynette currently serves on the board of Jazz Queensland.

Stephen Foster - Stephen was the founder and managing director of Funk Folk Records and the Label Services Manager for AIR, Australian Independent Record Label Association. In 2007 Stephen was the Executive Producer of BIG SOUND Music Industry Summit. Currently he finds time between living in paradise in Far North Queensland to work on the ReggaeTown Festival which he co founded in 2003, continues to build his digital label SugarRush Records which he co founded with Deb Suckling and Craig Spann in 2005 and promote and bring new music to the Cairns region through his role as the Program and Events Manager for one of the country's most unique live music and multi arts venues, the Tanks Arts Centre. 

Stephen Green - With over fifteen years in Brisbane's music community, Stephen has had experience in many different facets of the industry including roles as a music publicist, radio plugger, journalist, marketing manager, conference programmer, radio announcer, inflight entertainment producer, vocalist and music retailer. Currently managing director of SGC Media (a joint venture with MGM's Sebastian Chase working on international new media marketing for Australian artists), Stephen works with projects including John Butler Trio, The Waifs, British India, Triple J's Hottest 100 compilation, Blue King Brown and San Cisco as well as with organisations including D-Star (where he consults on both their national music promo delivery service and radio monitoring system) and QMusic. Stephen is also board member of Brisbane music education not-for-profit Starving Kids.

Scott Hutchinson - Scott is Chairman of Hutchinsons Builders, Queensland’s largest privately owned building company. Hutchies, as it is affectionately termed by staff and industry, is a family company which has been known and respected within the State’s building scene for four generations. Hutchinson Builders celebrates its 100 year anniversary in 2012 – representing a century of service to Queensland and testament to the company’s commitment, expertise and integrity. From its beginning as a one man operation in 1912, J Hutchinson Pty Ltd has expanded and strengthened and, today, stands as one of Queensland’s major award winning construction companies. Scott is also an avid music lover.

Peter Dann - Peter has over 25 years of senior public sector experience, primarily in finance and economics based roles, including 15 years with Queensland Treasury.  He is currently a General Manager at Queensland Treasury Corporation.  Peter has degrees in economics and commerce from University of Queensland, as well as an MBA from University of Cambridge, and is a CPA and a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Management. Peter is also a bass player/guitarist and occasional one handed synth player whose musical history goes back to the1980s Brisbane indie scene, but mainly confines himself these days to a bit of home recording.

Stu Watters - Stu has been working in the music industry for over 15 years and brings with him a diverse collection of experiences. His previous roles vary broadly from CEO of Australian Independent Record Labels Association (AIR), running the Queensland Music Network (QMusic), serving on the Worldwide Independent Network (WIN) and holding a position on the International Honorary Committee at MIDEM for five years. In 2009 Stuart left AIR with a desire to develop his own film production, publishing, music services and consulting company Morph TV whose clients (past and present) include Nightlife Music Video, The Seed Fund, Arts Queensland, QPAC, Hunted Media, Brisbane City Council, Mix It Up, Fieldworx, The Gin Club, The Medics, Mountain Goat Brewery and QMusic.