Classification Board
The Classification Board is made up of a director, a deputy director, other board members and temporary board members.
The Director of the Classification Board is responsible for the management and oversight of the Classification Board and its decision-making processes. The Director reports to the Australian Parliament on the activities of the Classification Board.
Under the Classification Act 1995, a person may be appointed as a temporary member of the Classification Board. A register of people suitable for temporary appointments is maintained and drawn on from time-to-time to provide short-term assistance in handling the workload of the Classification Board. Terms of appointment may be as short as one day and may extend to three months.
The Classification Board operates on a majority-based decision-making procedure. It is important that members can communicate their views clearly and appreciate and contemplate the views of others. Members are mindful of their statutory requirements to make decisions that are good in law.
Current Board members
Steven Thomson
Director
Appointed: 9 December 2024
Appointment expires: 31 Dec 2026
Steven Thomson has more than fifteen years leadership experience in Federal and State Government and most recently served as Acting Executive Director, People and Corporate Services with the Greater Cities Commission in NSW. Prior to this, he held leadership roles with the Australia Council for the Arts, including Director, Strategy and Planning.
Steven has represented his local community on Waverley Council's Public Art Committee and as a community representative on Waverley's Heritage Assessment Expert Panel.
Steven holds a Master of Arts (Archaeology) and a Bachelor of Arts (Hons) (Archaeology) both from the University of Manchester, United Kingdom.
He lives in Sydney with his wife, two children and whippet Rubin.
Tristan Sharp
Deputy Director
Appointed: 2 May 2022
Appointment expires: 1 May 2025
Tristan Sharp, 51, was most recently Director of the consultancy firm Kingfisher and Co for over three years. His previous roles have included senior leadership positions in the arts and finance sectors including Director, Programs and Engagement at the Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences. He is currently a member of the Art Gallery of New South Wales Society Council and Create NSW's Museums and History Artform Board.
Mr Sharp's qualifications include a Master of Art Administration from the College of Fine Arts, University of New South Wales, a Diploma of Education (Visual Art) with Merit, from the University of Newcastle, and a Bachelor of Arts (Fine Arts, Psychology, Film Studies and Production) from the University of Sydney and the University of California, Los Angeles.
Mr Sharp is married with two children and a cat named Rufus. He is active in his community of Umina Beach as a volunteer under 10s soccer coach and primary school learning support parent, and when time permits he enjoys riding his classic Vespa Scooter.
Dominique Irlinger
Appointed: 31 August 2023
Appointment expires: 1 May 2025
Mr Dominique Irlinger is the former CEO and Operations Manager of IMAX Sydney, and former National Programming Manager of Dendy Cinemas. He has also worked in the cinema industry as a general manager and is a volunteer film programmer of foreign films for Hunar. He studied in France for his Masters of International Relations and Bachelor of Arts in history and literature, and has taught French in a Chinese University.
Hellen Perko
Appointed: 31 August 2023
Appointment expires: 31 December 2026
Ms Perko is a Fine Art and Heritage Specialist and Valuer, with broad career experience in the Arts sector including leadership positions at auction houses and art galleries.
She has a Masters of Art Administration (UNSW) and a Bachelor of Arts (The University of Sydney). She speaks fluent Croatian and Serbian and brings a culturally diverse awareness and connection to non-English speaking communities.
Lauren Monaghan
Appointed: 28 March 2024
Appointment expires: 31 December 2026
Lauren Monaghan is a communications specialist who was most recently the Director of Communications and Engagement at the Department of the NSW Legislative Council. Her previous roles span magazine publishing, content marketing and corporate communications across a diverse range of fields—from agricultural research and development to the world of parenting.
Lauren holds a Bachelor of Science in Media and Communications from the University of Sydney.
Current part-time Board members
Jennifer Marvello
Appointed: 4 April 2022
Appointment expires: 31 December 2026
Ms Jennifer Marvello, 59, now retired from full-time employment, lives in the south-western suburbs of Sydney. She holds a Certificate IV Training & Assessment and Certificate IV Government Administration and has trained Customs Officers in drug detection technologies, interpretation of x-ray images, and identification of prohibited imports and exports, particularly films and publications which had been, or were likely to be, Refused Classification.
Ms Marvello enjoyed many years in human resources, particularly rehabilitation and case management. She has previously worked intensively with students in a one-on-one remedial reading program in infants and primary schools.
Subsequently, Ms Marvello transferred to the Commonwealth Attorney-General's Department where she developed and delivered training to industry assessors making classification decisions. She spent six years as Office Manager in a specialist dermatology practice. She has been involved in her community as a long-term fundraising chair at Kingsgrove Public School and the Kingsgrove Cricket Club.
Ms Marvello was appointed as a part-time Board member in April 2022.
Trent Bartfeld
Appointed: 31 August 2023
Appointment expires: 1 May 2025
Mr Trent Bartfeld is an Educator and freelance writer/content maker for varied corporate, public, community, educational, and film industry producers and entities. He has tertiary level Arts and Education qualifications. He has taught primary and secondary schooling, and has lectured across tertiary and open programs in technical and creative filmmaking and screenwriting.
Mr Bartfeld is active in the amateur tennis community, and passionate about Australia's origins, regularly working as a history guide for international visitors. He has two young daughters, who share his love of storytelling and history.
Temporary Board Members
Under the Classification Act, the Minister has authorised the Director to appoint a person to be a temporary member of the Classification Board following their initial appointment by the Minister. A register of people suitable for temporary appointments is maintained and drawn on from time-to-time to provide short-term assistance in undertaking the work of the Board. Terms of appointment may be as short as one day and may extend to three months. The statutory limit of seven years also applies to temporary Board members.
Maria Cosmidis
Ms Cosmidis is an Independent Decision Maker for the National Redress Scheme. Ms Cosmidis sits on the NSW Board of the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia, and the Medical Council of NSW as a community representative.
Ms Cosmidis is from a non-English speaking background and previously served on the SBS Community Advisory Committee and the Advertising Standards Board. Ms Cosmidis holds a Masters of Management from the University of Technology Sydney, and a Bachelor of Social Work and Bachelor of Arts from the University of Sydney.
Gayle Peres da Costa
Ms Peres da Costa has practiced as a lawyer for over 20 years, primarily in the area of medical defence law. She is semi-retired and spends some of her time doing voluntary work. Ms Peres da Costa migrated to Australia from India, as a child, and has a diverse cultural background. She has three adult daughters and one son, who have led her to a strong involvement in her local community.
Tamara Markus
Ms Markus is a paralegal at a theatre production company and is in the final year of a law degree at the University of NSW. She has previously worked in broadcast television and documentary film making, in sales, commissioning and development, and has experience in content analysis.
Evalena Chilas
Ms Chilas is a Membership Engagement Officer at a Union and is studying Arts and Business at the University of NSW.
She has had leadership and active voluntary involvement in the communities she belongs to, including through university, Greek cultural, dance and artistic groups.
With a community focus at the core, she has experience as a receptionist, in creative and event coordination, customer service, and team leadership roles.
Guineviere Klevjer
Ms Klevjer has over 15 years in the film and digital media sectors with a focus on documentary film making, content analysis and production team leadership.
She has a Bachelors degree in Digital Media from the College of Fine Arts, University of New South Wales and has taught film and editing at various institutions around Sydney.
Ms Klevjer has two young and hilarious children who keep her entertained and well connected with her community.
Stephen Walker
Stephen Walker, 46, has pursued a varied career, starting out as a junior engineer and exploring diverse industries including finance, transport, fire safety infrastructure, and sales. Stephen's qualifications include a Diploma in Finance (Mortgage Broking), an Diploma in Engineering, and a Certificate IV, Training and Assessing.
Stephen is an active life member of his local soccer community and manages two of his children's soccer teams and is also involved in the school community. Stephen has lived and worked locally and abroad, and currently resides in Sydney with his wife and three children, aged between seven and 13.