Bronwyn Edinger, CEO of The Events Centre Caloundra, has been appointed a Member of the Order of Australia in the 2024 Australia Day Honours list. She received an AM for services to the performing arts, recognising her leadership roles across the country including Black Swan State Theatre Company, Merrigong Theatre Company, Arts on Tour NSW, Bell Shakespeare, City Recital Hall, Glen Street Theatre, and Perth Theatre Company, where she was the joint founder.

Edinger has been a member of the NSW Premier’s Arts Advisory Council, Chair of the NSW Ministry for the Arts Theatre Committee, and chaired a number of Create NSW funding panels. She was a peer assessor with the Australia Council for multiple programs including Playing Australia.

She has contributed on the boards of Awesome Childrens Festival, Country Arts WA, Sydney Arts Management Advisory Group, Performing Arts Touring Alliance and Performance Space. She chaired Circus Monoxide, Theatre Network NSW, and the Australian Performing Arts Centres Association.

On receiving the news of her appointment Edinger responded, “I’m very grateful to have received this award. I come from a family who contributed to community, and I believe in the power of the arts to make a positive impact on individuals and society. It has been a privilege to contribute to maximising access to the arts for Australians and I look forward to increasing opportunities for people to engage with the arts on the Sunshine Coast.”

Edinger has been an instigator of change, particularly in national performing arts touring. She drove innovative sector improvements that increased access to high-quality national performing arts for regional communities. She was the driving force behind the current national Performing Arts Exchange. The sector peak body, PAC Australia, has awarded Edinger both the Touring Legend award and a life membership.

Chair of The Events Centre, Caloundra, Jeanette Burrows, congratulated Edinger saying, “I am very pleased and proud to be celebrating Bronwyn’s contributions to the national performing arts sector with this prestigious Order of Australia. The Events Centre is fortunate to have someone with Bronwyn’s experience, knowledge, and passion to drive a thriving arts community on the Sunshine Coast.”

Edinger is also a board member of the Theatre Royal Hobart and sits on the Regional Arts Development Fund committees for both Noosa and Sunshine Coast councils.