Michael Balk was elected MEAA Federal President in 2024.

Michael was born on Bundjalung country and grew up on the lands of the Yaegl and Gumbaynggirr people. He is an actor and producer, and has been a MEAA member for over 20 years. He has worked on stage and screen, at home in Australia and overseas.

Michael has been been a grass-roots activist, section delegate, Vice- President and President of Equity Queensland. He has served on the National Performers Committee, the MEAA Board as Queensland representative, and the Finance and Risk Management Committee.

As Federal President, Michael’s responsibilities include signing off on MEAA’s financial accounts, chairing meetings of the Board and the Federal Council, and representing MEAA on various forums.

Michael Slezak
(Federal President)

Michael was appointed Federal President of MEAA Media in March 2025. He is the ABC’s national environment and science reporter, covering stories across all ABC platforms. A Walkley Award-winning journalist, he has a strong record of breaking stories at the intersection of environmental and governance issues, driving public debate and reform. A proud member of MEAA throughout his career, he is co-chair of the ABC’s House Committee and has led campaigns at the ABC to protect staff packages, win better pay and conditions, and stand up against outside political interference. Under his leadership, the ABC has doubled its union density and the national house committee structure has been reformed to better represent the diversity of journalists who work there. Before joining the ABC, Michael was the environment reporter for Guardian Australia and the Australasian correspondent for New Scientist magazine. He also edited The Best Australian Science Writing (NewSouth Books) and has contributed to numerous other publications.

Committee elected in February 2024

Jason Klarwein
(Federal President)

Jason is an actor, director and producer who has worked nationally and internationally with Australia’s leading theatre companies and has been the artistic director of Grin and Tonic since 2011. The Queensland-based theatre company delivers critically-acclaimed mainstage productions, as well as workshops to over 60,000 school students per year. Jason has been a member of MEAA for nearly 20 years serving on the Queensland Branch, National Performers Committee and the MEAA Board. He was appointed Equity President in 2020 and re-elected in 2022 and 2024.

Committee elected in February 2024

Fiona Donovan
(Federal President)

Fiona has worked in the Australian screen industry for three decades as a production designer and art director on productions ranging from local TV series like A Place To Call Home to offshore features such as Pacific Rim: Uprising. As well as serving as a federal councilor, she has been a member of the offshore template agreement negotiating committee, Get Real on Rates campaign committee, and is vice-president of Australian Production Designers Guild. She was first elected in 2019 and re-elected in 2022 and 2024.

Committee elected in February 2024

Kimberley Wheeler
(Federal President)

Starting 25 years ago in rock and metal music, Kimberley now works in the folk and country genres as a songwriter and double bassist.
Kimberley attended the inaugural Australian Women in Music Awards (2018) to seek out fellow musicians facing similar challenges. Here, she found Musicians Australia. Now, as part of the leadership team, she champions representation and collective goals in an industry that has long overlooked its musicians. Kimberley was elected Musicians President in 2024.

Committee elected February 2024