Cometh the man: Ian Walker takes the big chair at QPAC
As a former arts minister and a lifelong lover of the arts, Ian Walker looks the perfect choice as chair of the Trust that oversees the running of QPAC.
When it came time to find a new chair for QPAC, the person in question was already aboard. Rather handily, Ian Walker joined the board in March – and no-one is better suited to the position.
Walker was minister for science, IT, innovation and the arts in the former Liberal State Government before that tenure was inconveniently interrupted by an election that Labor won. For a time, Walker maintained his role as shadow arts minister (a role he’d previously held in opposition) and self-deprecatingly (and with his trademark humour) described himself as “The Shadow”, a reference only people of a certain age will get.
He lost his seat of Mansfield in 2017 but retained his passion for the arts. He has served on the board of Camerata – Queensland’s Chamber Orchestra, and is chair of Queensland Youth Orchestras. And now he’s chair of the Board of Trust that governs QPAC. The Queensland Government appoints Trust members.
State Arts Minister John-Paul Langbroek welcomed Ian Walker and acknowledged the enormous contribution and legacy of outgoing chair Professor Peter Coaldrake.
“Mr Walker will lead the board at a significant time with the opening of Glasshouse Theatre in early 2026 and as we look to celebrate the state’s creative talent and exceptional arts experiences on the global stage of the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games,” Langbroek says.
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“The combined skills and expertise of the chair and trust will steer QPAC through its next exciting era and ensure ongoing strong governance and stewardship of this iconic cultural institution.”
Walker, 71, quietly assumed the position on October 1 without any fanfare. There should have been some fanfare because it is a smart appointment and not altogether unexpected. There has been a bit of musical chairs going on behind the scenes at the corporate level in the State Government as Labor mates have been quietly replaced with LNP mates. Fair enough, because that’s politics.
The Trust (in effect QPAC) Board has had a complete makeover with sensible appointments. As well as Walker as the titular head it includes former CEO of Tourism and Events Queensland, Leanne Codington; former executive director of Queensland Symphony Orchestra, Sophie Galaise; QSO’s current chair in Rod Pilbeam, who has more than 35 years’ experience in major public event venues; PR and marketing whiz Bec Pini; business leader Susan Rix; and accountant Patrice Scott.
‘For me, this is the culmination of a journey in the arts that started with my dad who was a musician’
Walker says he feels honoured to be in the role.
“It’s an exciting time for QPAC,” he says. “For me, this is the culmination of a journey in the arts that started with my dad who was a musician. He played the saxophone with Col Joye and The Joy Boys before they rocketed to fame.”
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Despite loving music, Walker chose law as a career before being elected as a state MP, serving from 2012 to 2017. He has always maintained a healthy interest in the arts, and he and his wife Heather are regulars at performances at QPAC and other arts venues. In fact, Walker was at the show that opened QPAC in 1985.
“I do recall going to see Simon Gallaher and Jon English in The Pirates of Penzance,” he says. “Coming to QPAC has been an important part of my growth in arts and culture. It has an important place in the lives of many people.
“Heather and I are here regularly. It would be difficult if your spouse was not interested but, luckily, we both love the arts – Heather more on the theatrical side, I am more on the musical side. So we balance each other out. Some people leave politics and take on a completely different life, but I have been able to continue with my love of the arts, and I’m still involved with science and innovation as well.”
From what I know of Ian and Heather Walker’s lifestyle on Facebook, I am amazed by how busy they are. That takes stamina. How does Walker, who is “a very youthful 71”, keep fit for his busy life? Well, folks, he has a couple of secret weapons in his kit bag.
“First of all, I’m Walker by name and a walker by nature,” he says. “I walk every morning and I do the 5BX exercise routine three times a week.”
The 5BX exercises are a series of five basic calisthenic exercises designed to be completed in 11 minutes, consisting of stretching, sit-ups, back extensions, push-ups and running in place or running/walking a specific distance. Developed for the Royal Canadian Air Force by Dr Bill Orban in the late 1950s, they consist of six progressive charts of exercises to build fitness, with no special equipment needed.
“Helen Mirren and King Charles III also do it,” says Walker, with a sense of satisfaction. He adds that having four grandchildren also keeps he and Heather in shape.
Being in the chair at the Trust at QPAC is exciting, he says. He is getting to know the newish chief executive Rachel Healy (“she has really hit the ground running,” he says) and the pair seem to get on well. And there is a lot to look forward to.
‘I’m particularly looking forward to hanging out with Sting … Just two old sex symbols’
“There’s the opening of the new Glasshouse Theatre next year and it’s most important to get that up and running,” Walker says. “Opera Queensland is doing Dvorak’s opera Rusalka next year and I’m looking forward to that and to The Drovers Wife, Leah Purcell’s opera, which stars her niece, the Queensland soprano Nina Korbe, who is artist-in-residence with Queensland Youth Orchestras.”
And there is, of course, a performance of Sting’s musical The Last Ship, which is coming to Glasshouse Theatre in April, 2026.
“I’m particularly looking forward to hanging out with Sting,” Walker says. “Just two old sex symbols.”