As 2024 begins, it is with heartfelt thanks and deepest gratitude that we farewell Esther Pearce, our Board Vice President & Independent Director, and Chair of the Sector Investment Advisory Committee (SIAC).
Esther was appointed to the CBF Board in 2016 as Independent Director, and has been an integral member, leader and contributor. Esther has served as Vice President since 2020, and as Chair of the SIAC since 2023.
Esther’s legacy has been the fostering of a positive and respectful culture among the Board. Her diligence, attention to detail and deep care for people – both those in the room, and those not in the room – has helped our organisation be a better grant maker, advocate and employer. As a member of the Board, Esther oversaw the implementation of recommendations that came out of the 2016 CBF Structure & Governance review, a transformative chapter for the organisation which saw significant refinement and improvement to CBF’s governance and grant-making processes. She contributed to the development of two key Strategic Plans (2017-21 and 2021). Later in her tenure, Esther was also involved in the review of the 2016 CBF Restructure.
Esther has been a cherished, driving force on several major projects at the CBF including oversight of an Evaluation of the Enhanced National News Project, consideration of the Supporting Station Resilience review, and overseeing the distribution of $4 million in additional funding from the 2017 Australian Government Media Reform Package.
More recently, Esther participated in the development of Roadmap 2033 – a landmark moment in community broadcasting which has brought a shared vision of a vibrant future for our sector.
Esther takes great joy in seeing projects and programs come to fruition for the benefit of others. Her passionate consideration for the diverse sectors within community broadcasting and commitment to equality and fairness for all people has been an inspiration at the CBF. Beyond CBF, she has been an advocate for equality for all Australians for over 20 years through her work in community development. Esther is of Aboriginal descent, from the Central Arrernte and Wombye countries, and is the Co-Founder & Director of Culture to Country Consulting, a First Nations-owned and operated consultancy building the capacity of people and organisations to work collaboratively with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
We are grateful to have had Esther’s incredible leadership at the CBF for almost eight years. Her contributions have left an indelible mark on our sector and organisation, and we and wish her all the very best on her next chapter.
Thank you, Esther!