Rock Art Australia Limited (RAA) advises that its CEO, Cas Bennetto, has announced her plan to retire from the role effective 30th June 2023.
Cas Bennetto, a highly regarded fundraiser, communicator and experienced nonprofit administrator, is moving on after 13 years.
“Cas has served our Board and three Chairs for 13 years with distinction”, said Hon Laurie Brereton, RAA Chairman.
Over this period RAA has established two fully endowed Chairs – the Rock Art Australia Ian Potter Kimberley Chair at The University of Western Australia and the Rock Art Australia Minderoo Chair in Archaeological Science at the University of Melbourne and two Fellowships also based at The University of Melbourne. Relationships with multiple universities and multi-disciplinary researchers extend across a $14 million research portfolio of archaeology, paleoenvironmental and archaeological science.
Rock Art Australia has funded a rock art dating project for the past ten years in partnership with Balanggarra Aboriginal Corporation in the Kimberley which is widely regarded in Australia and internationally as the most scientifically innovative of its kind.
The organisation changed its name to Rock Art Australia in 2020 which now extends RAA-funded research into Arnhem Land and other rock art provinces in Australia. Greater emphasis is placed on Indigenous partnership and engagement and this year RAA will support the first Indigenous-led rock art forum at Home Valley in collaboration with Balanggarra Aboriginal Corporation.
An annual lecture has become a 5-city series and today the annual RAA science workshop supports up to 40 researchers coming together to share their findings with colleagues.
Rock Art Australia celebrates its 25th anniversary this year and is proud to be the leading Australian organisation researching, conserving and promoting rock art.
Cas credits much of the organisation’s success to the support and loyalty from its patrons and donors.
“I want to express my gratitude and appreciation to all our supporters, and to our wonderful and dedicated staff. Rock Art Australia is at an exciting stage in its evolution right now. It’s not easy to leave, but it’s the right time to hand over to a new CEO,” she said.
The Board of RAA has commenced a search for a new CEO.
