March 13th, 2026Helen Silver president of the Library Board of Victoria.
As the State Library Victoria marks its 170th anniversary, the iconic institution will usher in a new era with the appointment of respected public and private sector leader Helen Silver AO as the 25th President of the Library Board of Victoria.
Minister Brooks today announced Ms Silver’s appointment – to lead the next chapter for one of the states most celebrated public spaces – supporting learning, research and community connection.
It follows the retirement of Christine Christian AO who has served the Library as a board Director since 2013 and as President since 2021.
Helen Silver AO has dedicated her career to ensuring strong governance in major public and private sector organisations.
She was the CEO and Secretary of Victoria’s Department of Premier and Cabinet between 2008-2013, where she led the state through major events such as the Black Saturday bushfires. She also led the arts portfolio and Arts Victoria – the government’s creative body now known as Creative Victoria.
Alongside board and executive roles in the insurance, banking and infrastructure sectors, Ms Silver also has a long-standing connection to the creative industries.
She currently serves as Chair of the Australian Children’s Television Foundation and previously served on the board of Victorian Arts Centre Trust and Melbourne Symphony Orchestra.
Ms Silver’s appointment follows the appointment of renowned librarian Christine Mackenzie AM and historian and academic and author Emeritus Professor Peter McPhee who joined the board as Directors earlier this month bringing a wealth of expertise and experience across the library, history and research sectors.
Minister Brooks paid tribute to Christine Christian AO for her leadership as President, championing free access to the Library’s spaces and collections. Ms Christian has strengthened the Library’s foundations as a global cultural destination that sits at the heart of Victoria’s cultural life.
Ms Christian also looked to the future, funding StartSpace, the Library’s free entrepreneurial hub now supporting over 2,000 members. Minister Brooks said her vision and generosity ensure the Library continues to inspire, educate, and provide knowledge and opportunity for all Victorians.
