Sovereign Hill

When visiting you will see, hear and feel what it was like to be in the streets, in the mines, on the diggings, browsing shops, factories and the schools to soak in the atmosphere when the discovery of one precious metal changed the world. Since its beginning in 1970, Sovereign Hill has given people from across Australia and from around the globe, a reason to visit Ballarat adding $260 million to the Victorian economy each year. We have outlasted the original gold rush to create a dynamic and growing series of experiences which are delivered by a staff and volunteer team of nearly 350. Sovereign Hill is a registered charity and not-for-profit living museum evolving to constantly create new features that connect our past to a shared future. Our bold new adventures are the Australian Centre for Rare Arts & Forgotten Trades , a national home dedicated to preserving and protecting skills of the past for new generations. And, the Australian Centre for Gold Rush Collections which showcases our archives of more than 150,000 pieces of which bring history into a modern focus. We were born in 1970 with a rebellious spirit and an innovative vision. We have a sharp eye for history and want to ensure that Ballarat’s vibrant gold rush heritage and the story of its impact on our nation can inspire future generations. We are passionate believers and advocates for adaptation and change, and we bring the people of the goldfields to life through stories of resilience, opportunity, curiosity, change, connection and conflict. It has taken many cultures, many people and more than 60,000 years to build a country like Australia, and while the story of our nation is still being written, we tell an important part of it like no one else can. The Board’s responsibilities include the appointment of the Chief Executive Officer, who is responsible for managing Sovereign Hill. Board members meet regularly to monitor Sovereign Hill’s progress against the goals and objectives set out in the Corporate Strategic Plan and report to Members at the Annual General Meeting of the Association. They also assist the CEO with the task of capital fundraising to underpin the Association’s long-term financial viability. Elected to the Board in 2015 and appointed President in 2024. Angela is a member of the Narmbool Committee and ex-officio member of all other board Committees. She has extensive experience in media, communications, emergency management and government relations, and has served on numerous community-based boards. Angela is currently a senior executive with Emergency Recovery Victoria and was formerly the Editor and General Manager of the Ballarat Courier. She is a Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. Elected to the Board in 2021 and appointed Vice President in 2024. He serves on the Narmbool Committee and brings over 30 years’ experience advising government, education, and commercial sectors on strategy, operations, and governance. David is a Partner at Strategic Project Partners (SPP), leading the Consumer practice across retail, consumer goods, entertainment, leisure, and tourism. He is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. Elected to the Board in 2017. Chris serves as Chair of the Finance and Risk Committee. He has extensive knowledge of business operations and financial oversight, gained through his role as an Automotive Dealer Principal. Chris currently works as an Automotive Dealer Principal. Elected to the Board in 2021. He is a board representative on the Sovereign Hill Master Plan Steering Committee. Chris has extensive experience from his previous CEO and Senior Executive roles across various sectors in Australia and New Zealand. He is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. Elected to the Board in 2022. She is a member of the Narmbool Committee. Carolyn has extensive experience in partnership development and strategy for growth. She is currently the Deputy Vice-Chancellor