Dear all, it’s my last eNews report as President! Our 2024 AGM is set for early October and I’ll be handing over the reins to someone new.
It’s been an honour to lead the association for the last four years—from the middle of COVID lockdowns, through to our 50th anniversary year and into 2024. While I’m looking forward to divesting myself of responsibilities, I’ve learned a lot from this role and from all the wonderful people I’ve worked with.
I’m really proud of what we’ve achieved, including establishing the Development Committee and the Emergency Assistance Grants, initiating a Reconciliation Action Plan for AICCM, successfully registering as a charity, figuring out how to run events online (and, indeed, a professional association) through COVID lockdowns and beyond, and of course all the 50th anniversary projects and events.
And, at our last National Council meeting it was clear no one is resting on their laurels, post-50th:
- We heard about the excellent Textiles SIG symposium recently held in Melbourne, and the various webinars and other events the Paintings SIG has in train.
- Our State Division representatives reported on a huge variety of networking and social events, lectures, and site visits.
- We heard progress reports from our 50k grant winners—including one that’s already been nominated for an award (look for reports on these projects in future issues of the eNews).
- AICCM award nominations are coming in, showing the breadth and depth of our profession.
- A new batch of professional members was approved and existing PMs renewed. (And please take a moment here to appreciate the quiet, steadfast and often under-appreciated efforts of our Professional Development Committee).
- The Queensland Division and the Reconciliation Committee are very busy laying the groundwork for our next national conference (Brisbane, second half of 2025 … stay tuned).
In May, National Council met for our annual in-person planning session. From these conversations we’ve developed the business plan and budget to guide us through 2024–25. We also resolved to allocate some of the underspend from the Executive Officer position to employ a contractor to work on elements of the Reconciliation Action Plan—activities that will also feed into the next national conference. Special thanks to Anne Carter and Sam Hamilton of the Reconciliation Committee for leading this work.
Our current strategic plan lapses in 2025 and will need renewal for 2025–2030. So it’s time to re-evaluate our visions for the profession into 2030 and how we might make these a reality. Start thinking and then (I hope) find ways to get involved in AICCM’s next iteration.
Thank you all, and I wish you all the best for the future.
Alice Cannon
President