As current and former presidents of the AICCM, we are honoured to pay tribute to Michelle Berry on her retirement, marking the end of a remarkable 15-year chapter in the life of our organisation.
Over the past 15 years, Michelle has been the heart, head, and hands of our organisation, guiding us through growth, change, and challenge with unwavering dedication, calm professionalism, and a truly generous spirit.
From the moment Michelle joined AICCM, she became an indispensable part of our community. Her service has shaped the fabric of the organisation, and her legacy will continue to be felt for years to come.
As Secretariat, Michelle’s impact has been both strategic and deeply personal. She provided continuity and support to successive national presidents, brought stability to our operations, and was instrumental in strengthening AICCM’s capacity to grow and adapt.
Key Deliverables and Contributions
Website upgrades (2012 & 2020): Michelle led two major website redevelopment projects, first transitioning our platform from Joomla to Drupal in 2012, and again delivering a secure, modern upgrade in 2020. These improvements significantly enhanced our online presence and member experience.
Membership fee restructure (2012): She managed the implementation of a membership fee restructure to strengthen the AICCM’s financial sustainability, managing communication sensitively and navigating member concerns with clarity.
Modernising internal systems (2013): Michelle transitioned our communication tools from teleconferencing to Skype and introduced Basecamp as a project management platform, bringing our systems into the digital age and streamlining internal collaboration.
Conference and event coordination: She worked tirelessly on numerous events and conferences including the National Conference in Hobart and our 50th Anniversary Conference in Canberra, supporting logistics and planning far beyond her Secretariat role, helping to ensure successful and memorable proceedings.
Pivot to online services (2020 onwards): In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Michelle led AICCM’s seamless shift to virtual events, including webinars, AGMs, awards ceremonies and symposiums. She also supported SIGs and State Divisions in delivering events such as the Australian Made symposium and the Agents of Change webinar series.
Charity status achievement: Michelle played a central role in maintaining our not-for-profit status and achieving registered charity status through the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC). Her work on compliance reporting, strategic planning and annual submissions was instrumental in unlocking new donation opportunities.
Membership transition (2020): She successfully coordinated the shift to calendar-year membership, working closely with our bookkeeper to ensure a smooth transition while maintaining strong member engagement and financial stability.
Operational management: Michelle oversaw all core operational areas of the organisation, including state capitation fees, grant processing, member communications, financial reporting, event registrations, and general public enquiries (including the occasional unusual artefact question!).
Mentorship and organisational memory: As the corporate memory of AICCM, Michelle inducted new presidents and council members, provided expert advice on governance and compliance, and ensured smooth transitions from one leadership term to the next.
A Legacy of Professionalism, Innovation and Care
Michelle’s professionalism, strategic thinking and tireless dedication are matched only by her warmth and generosity. She brought a human touch to everything she did, taking time to know our members, checking in on individuals, and always being available to listen, guide or share a laugh (and a recommendation for a good Tasmanian gin).
Her work behind the scenes was often invisible but always invaluable. She was the glue that held us together – the calm, capable centre of an ever-evolving organisation.
Michelle, we thank you deeply for your outstanding service. You have left an indelible mark on AICCM, and we are immensely grateful for everything you have done. We wish you all the best for your next chapter and hope it is filled with joy, adventure, and well-deserved rest.
With heartfelt appreciation,
The AICCM presidents – past and present
Kay Soderlund
Mary Jo Lelyveld
Jennifer Bird
Alice Cannon
Samantha Hamilton