OUR PATRONS
ENSEMBLE PATRON
Her Excellency the Honourable Margaret Beazley AC KC
Governor of New South Wales
Her Excellency the Honourable Margaret Beazley AC KC is the 39th Governor of New South Wales, and was sworn-in on 2 May 2019.
Prior to her appointment as Governor, Her Excellency enjoyed a long and distinguished law career spanning 43 years, during which time she served as a role model for women in law at both the State and national level.
Appointed Queen’s Counsel in 1989, in 1993 she was made a judge of the Federal Court of Australia, the first woman to sit exclusively in that Court. In 1996, she achieved the distinction of being the first woman appointed to the New South Wales Court of Appeal and, subsequently, as the first woman to be appointed as its President. She served, on a number of occasions, as Administrator of the Government of the State of New South Wales.
She was made a Companion of the Order of Australia in the Australia Day Honours List on 26 January 2020 for "eminent service to the people of New South Wales, particularly through leadership roles in the judiciary, and as a mentor of young women lawyers".
Her Excellency has three children - Erin, Lauren and Anthony Sullivan - and is married to Mr. Dennis Wilson, a solicitor, mediator, accredited international arbitrator and Adjunct Professor of Law, at Notre Dame University, Sydney.
Her Excellency brings her deep commitment to education, youth leadership, human rights and social justice to the role in service of the people of New South Wales.
FOUNDING PATRON
The late TIMOTHY PASCOE AM
Vale Dr Timothy Pascoe AM
We continue to honour and cherish the memory of Dr Timothy Pascoe AM, our Founding Board Chair and Founding Patron. Though some years have passed since his death, his presence, influence, and generosity remain deeply woven into the fabric of the Australian Haydn Ensemble. Our thoughts remain with his family, whose support of Timothy’s work and passions was so evident to all who knew him.
When Timothy first met Skye McIntosh in July 2012, he recognised in the newly formed Ensemble a rare spark of vision and artistic purpose. What began as a simple coffee quickly became the foundation of a devoted partnership. Timothy brought his passion for Haydn, his deep belief in the power of the arts, and his extraordinary professional expertise to the Ensemble, helping to form its inaugural Board of Non-Executive Directors. He served as Chairman from 2013–18, and long after stepping down, he continued to guide, encourage, and champion AHE and its mission.
The title of Founding Patron—AHE’s highest non-governing honour—speaks to an individual whose commitment and service have shaped the Ensemble in profound and lasting ways. Timothy’s devotion to AHE surpassed even this definition. His leadership, wisdom, and unwavering faith in the Ensemble helped form the foundation upon which we continue to build today.
Timothy was a remarkable figure in Australian arts and public life. As Executive Chairman of the Australia Council (1981–84) and founder of ARTS Ltd, he worked tirelessly to bring private-sector insight, structure, and vision to the arts. His academic achievements—spanning civil engineering, economics, and business strategy, with degrees from the University of Adelaide, Cambridge, and Harvard—reflected a mind of great curiosity, rigour, and breadth.
Yet those who knew him speak most often not of his accomplishments, but of his humility. Timothy shared his knowledge freely, listened deeply, and supported those around him with grace and generosity. His counsel shaped countless decisions and aspirations within AHE. He was especially enthusiastic about the Ensemble’s tour to the USA, helping to nurture the project from early dream to triumphant reality. We remain grateful that he was able to witness the Ensemble’s success on the international stage—a moment that brought him great joy.
Timothy’s legacy lives on in the Ensemble he helped bring to life, in the musicians and audiences he inspired, and in the spirit of generosity and curiosity he instilled in all who worked alongside him. He continues to be deeply missed by the entire AHE family, and especially by our Artistic Director, Skye McIntosh, for whom his friendship and guidance were a constant source of support.
With gratitude and remembrance,
Vale Dr Timothy Pascoe AM