QMusic Announces Leadership Transition: Welcoming New President and Vice-President
QMusic, Queensland’s peak body for our contemporary music industry, today announces the retirement of President Natalie Strijland and Vice-President D-J Wendt from the QMusic management committee, with committee members Vivienne Mellish and John ‘JC’ Collins AM now proudly stepping into these roles.
The departure of Ms Strijland and Mr Wendt marks the end of a significant era for QMusic, during which the organisation achieved numerous milestones and navigated the unprecedented challenges of the pandemic.
During their tenure, Strijland and Wendt led the organisation through a series of key new initiatives, including the $7M Live Music COVID Support program, the establishment of the Qld Safety and Diversity Advisory Group, the $4.5M BIGSOUND funding uplift, the recent Qld Govt announcement of Venue Funding packages and a series of new programs, including Goolwal Goolwal, Tropic Fiesta in Townsville and the largest ever Industry Connect program.
Outgoing president Natalie Strijland said she is proud of her time at QMusic and excited for its next chapter.
“Following the recent State and Federal budgets and prior to the State Election, and after 20 combined years of board service, we thought now was an ideal time for a handover to the new board leadership and allow D-J and I the chance to focus more on our own businesses and families,” said Ms Strijland.“It has been my absolute pleasure to spend nine years on the Board of QMusic; with the last four years as President. Over that time we have grown and changed as an organisation and faced challenges both from within and outside the industry.
Personally I want to thank D-J who has been an outstanding Vice President. He is the longest standing board member in the organisation’s history and the organisation is indebted to him for his time, care and experience.”
D-J Wendt said volunteering with QMusic for over a decade is one of the most rewarding experiences of his life. “Giving back to the industry that has been very good to me has been an honour, I will likely miss being involved and will definitely miss working with the many great board members and especially Natalie Strijland, who has the biggest heart in the world and she gets things done.” Wendt is retiring to focus on the 30th anniversary world tour of his company, The TEN Tenors.
Brian “Smash” Chladil, co-founder of Oztix and longtime QMusic partner, said that “I cannot let Natalie and D-J go without acknowledging them as the most successful leaders the organisation has ever had. Measured on any level, QMusic is not only the biggest and best of all the state music organisations, it is also the most respected. This is only due to their unwavering integrity, strategic counsel and their engendering support for all those who surround them.”
QMusic Patron and music industry supporter Scott Hutchinson added “I’ve had the pleasure of working with Nat and D-J for over a decade and what they have done for music in that time is seriously impressive. They will be missed however they leave QMusic in great condition and in great hands. The organisation has grown and blossomed and much of the credit is due to Nat and D-J.”
QMusic Lifetime Member John Kenny stated “The team of Natalie Strijland & DJ Wendt have led an highly effective QMusic board of directors for the past 10 years. They step down with the private and public funding for QMusic at record highs and QMusic firmly endorsed as the key partner for the night time economy at the forthcoming Brisbane Olympics. Their commitment to QMusic has been unwavering.”
The new leadership brings exceptional industry credentials. Viv Mellish is a founding partner and CMO at Australia’s leading Queensland-based digital music distribution and artist services company GYROstream and a pivotal figure in our state’s music sector. She is joined by John ‘JC’ Collins, who brings his rich experience from touring and recording with the iconic Brisbane band Powderfinger, to managing venues such as The Triffid and The Fortitude Music Hall, and holding roles with the Brisbane Economic Development Agency and the Better Brisbane Alliance.
“In particular I want to thank Nat and D-J for steering the organisation through the COVID lockdowns and restrictions and securing funding with the State Government during this time, it was critical in keeping the lights on for music venues,” said John ‘JC’ Collins. “Nat and D-J have also left the organisation in such a better state than what it was when I joined the board in 2020. The industry is still yet to bounce back fully, there’s always work to be done and I’m honoured to have the opportunity alongside Viv Mellish to contribute more.”
Ms Mellish added “I’m so honoured to be following in the footsteps of such an inspirational and impactful leadership team and I want to thank them both for their immense voluntary contribution to the organisation and our industry. Natalie and D-J are leaving QMusic in the strongest position it’s ever been to not only sustain its current output but put in place real foundations towards a more equitable and vibrant industry for Queensland.”
“Thanks to their advocacy, QMusic’s relationship with Government and key stakeholders has never been better and we are excited to be given the opportunity to continue their legacy alongside the rest of the management committee, CEO Kris Stewart and the excellent staff who deliver on-ground each and every day.”
