AFTER a year of confusion and disaffection, Music for Canberra has appointed Shane Dobbin to the role of CEO, it was announced in the end-of-year newsletter by vice-chair of the beleaguered community organisation, Yu-Lan Chan.

Dobbin, an experienced manager who has returned to the ACT after a long stint in Dubai and around the United Arab Emirates working as a leadership development consultant, director of public relations and lecturer in leadership, change and business management .

She is not a practising musician but is well-known in ACT music circles from her association with the RMC band’s initiative to raise funds for the Daffodil Day Appeal for breast cancer.

She replaces Helen Roben, who left the organisation after a short term from April to early October.

In a letter to members, Dobbin said: “I want to take the opportunity to briefly look back on a year that turned out much differently than anyone could have imagined. While it was certainly challenging in many ways, it also showed how strong Music for Canberra is as a company – even in the toughest of times.”

She is supported in here role by Melinda Hole as artistic convenor, classical programs; Ariana Odermatt as artistic convenor, community programs; Anup Shrestha as finance and administration co-ordinator, Callum Feint as marketing, events and communications co-ordinator and Hester Chen as office manager.