Operatic surprises and a career celebrated

It was an evening to remember when the Governor and Ms Annus hosted a special reception to thank WA arts and culture advocate, Mr Duncan Ord OAM.

Standing down from his role as Director General of the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries in May this year and retiring next month, Mr Ord is also well known as a West Australian who has dedicated much of his life to promoting and progressing the arts with leadership roles at the West Australian Academy of Performing Arts, WA Theatre Company and Black Swan State Theatre Company.

As guests gathered in the Government House foyer they were treated to a very special surprise organised by West Australian Opera (WAO) Executive Director Carolyn Chard AM, with a spectacular performance by Australian tenor Paul O’Neill in tribute to Mr Ord.

Mr O’Neill was accompanied by pianist Marilyn Phillips, an Honorary Life Member of WAO and its former Head of Music, as he performed ‘Nessun Dorma’.

The surprise brought many in the room to tears and was a wonderful way to say thank you to Mr Ord for a career dedicated to public service and to the WA’s arts industry.

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