Chairing UKARIA: Conversations with David and Rob
BY TAHLIA LAMEY & RACHEL BRUERVILLE
The first 10 years of UKARIA would not have been possible without the expertise of our dedicated board members, and we’re pleased to share some reflections from both the first and the current Chair of our board, David Minns and Rob Brookman AM respectively.
David Minns first met our founder Ulrike Klein AO in his role as a partner of Jaquillard Minns Chartered Accountants. On the morning of their first meeting, they happened to encounter each other on a walk at Mount Lofty. David recognised Ulrike as the woman he was due to meet that afternoon, and thus began a relationship founded on mutual understanding and respect. From 2011–2020, David served as a director of the Ngeringa Farm Arts Foundation and then Chair of UKARIA – lending his expertise to the establishment of the structures, financial model and governance framework that would uphold the Culture Centre for years to come. ‘I was fortunate to have been engaged by Ulrike to work alongside her in navigating her philanthropic journey, and this close working relationship provided me with a deep insight into Ulrike’s vision for UKARIA,’ David says. ‘Success for an arts organisation requires a balance between deep artistic passion and understanding, effective governance and management, sound business practices and financial management, all driven by a clearly articulated vision.’
This vision – to inspire artists and audiences through music – has drawn on both David and Rob’s broad interests and skillsets. Rob was appointed Chair in 2020, bringing a fresh wave of experience as a theatre producer, festival director and arts executive – and a proven passion for the integration of music and nature. As a co-founder of WOMADelaide, a long-time Adelaide Hills dweller and a self-professed environmentalist, Rob says that some of his happiest arts experiences have been in gardens and forests and the bush. ‘Art and life are intricately entwined, and the challenge of climate change is the greatest of our time. So, creating working models of how our dominant and often arrogant species can live in harmony with the natural world is essential work – and the arts have their part to play. Deep in the psyche of humanity is the garden – whether it be religious iconography, the necessity of growing food or the sheer uplifting beauty of plants. UKARIA brings the garden of the mind together with a living, brilliantly designed and nurtured garden in a quintessentially Australian landscape.’
When our former Communications Manager Dylan Henderson spoke with Rob in April 2020, at the outset of his time as Chair, Rob shared his expectations for UKARIA’s musical offerings to expand over the coming five years. Now that we find ourselves at that future 10th anniversary, it is intriguing to reflect on whether some of his predictions have been realised, or whether other priorities have arisen during that time. ‘This is a place devoted to art, and art is restless; we can only skim over the surface of the wide world of music that is also constantly changing,’ Rob says. ‘I love the fact that we have not only seen a diversification of genres offered but also seen great innovators within those genres bring their singular visions to UKARIA, whether it be Olli Mustonen, James Morrison, Kate Miller-Heidke, VOCES8 or Paul Grabowsky. Predicting the future can be an intriguing game, but living the reality of our evolution is far more exciting!’
Those ensuing five years were undoubtedly shaped by the nuances of a post-pandemic world, and it is surreal to compare the activity now, in March 2025, with Rob’s earliest days as Chair. We invited him to share some insights into the reality of leading UKARIA out of such a challenging season for the arts. ‘Looking back on the immense challenges of 2020 and 2021, I think the word “resilience” is the one that comes to mind. Firstly, the resilience of artists in undertaking what were sometimes incredibly arduous conditions in order to have the chance to keep performing for a live audience. Secondly, the resilience of our audiences who took every opportunity to come together to be united in their love of music despite the potential risks involved – these were nervous times! And thirdly, the resilience of our staff who refused to simply shut down and wait; Alison and her team took every opportunity available to keep the music flowing, recognising the importance of the community that is UKARIA in supporting people through times that threatened to disrupt their lives and isolate them from each other.’
Looking back over the ebbs and flows of UKARIA’s 10 year evolution, we asked David and Rob if there were any special memories they wanted to share.
David: ‘It has been a privilege to play a part in UKARIA’s story, [and] there have been so many highlights over the past decade. Whilst my interest in music includes many genres, a number of the contemporary and jazz concerts have been very special for me. I fondly recall the first concert by Lior and Paul Grabowsky, and the What Is Jazz? weekend curated by James Morrison was a highlight. Finally, our daughter’s wedding at UKARIA was a very special personal highlight.’
Rob: ‘The best part of us is born of dreams and UKARIA is a living dream. I simply cannot name one highlight as it would diminish a host of other astonishing experiences. But OK – Jordi Savall, Joshua Bell, Anne Sofie von Otter, Paul Lewis, every UKARIA 24, Ngapa William Cooper, Compassion, Archie Roach and most recently David Harrington’s staggering Chamber Landscapes (Adelaide Festival 2025). Beyond that I am just so proud of the place that UKARIA has carved out in the national and international musical landscape in just 10 years.’
Pictured above: The James Morrison Quartet performing at UKARIA in 2024 with Romanian jazz pianist Marian Petrescu.