Greg Mackie OAM
In 1999, Greg Mackie was founder and is now Chairman of The Adelaide Festival of Ideas Association Inc. Cutting his teeth as a cabaret musician and department store executive, From 1984-2007 Greg co-founded and was managing director of Adelaide’s iconic Imprints Booksellers. With a wealth of governance experience, including a term as an Elected Member of the Adelaide City Council (2000—03) and on the boards of many community benefit, arts and cultural organisations, Greg went on to head up Arts SA, and onwards to Deputy Chief Executive in the SA Premier’s Department under Hon Mike Rann AC, where his stewardship included the Adelaide Thinkers in Residence Program, Capital City Committee Directorate, and The Integrated Design Commission SA. He moved to SA Health in 2012 to head up Office for the Ageing, was a freelance consultant 2013-15 and in 2016 commenced as Chief Executive Officer with the History Trust of South Australia. Greg was returned to the City of Adelaide, representing Central Ward in June 2020.
In 2002 Greg was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for his services to the arts, and was recipient of the Dame Elizabeth Murdoch Cultural Leadership Award in 2007 for his work to strengthen relations between the arts and business. In 2015 he received the Inaugural $50,000 Jim Bettison and Helen James Foundation Award in recognition of his continuing contribution to the enrichment of Australian cultural life. Greg co-founded and currently Chairs Cabaret Fringe Inc. and remains an active cultural development practitioner.
