There is a lot of activity at AICCM at the moment, with Awards and Scholarship submissions coming in and preparation well under way for the National Conference. The ADFAS Mid-Career Scholarship applications were very strong and we’re looking forward to announcing the recipients at the awards in November. It’s quite inspiring to read about the different projects members are undertaking. The awards will be presented at the welcome function of the National Conference.
National Conference 2019
The National Conference program has been released and is looking fantastic. The conference is divided into three themes – making conservation sustainable, innovative and connected. The Committee extended the program from 2.5 days to 3 full days of papers due to the high calibre and number of abstracts submitted for consideration. Please take a look at the program and register if you would like to attend. Details are online: https://bit.ly/2MUiymW.
Foresight Event
Next year, the AICCM National Council will develop its 2020-2025 strategic plan. In preparation, we are looking to broaden our understanding of the current environment in which collection care and heritage preservation practice is carried out and the emerging issues and trends that will affect near and longer term practice. In order to do this, the Sustainable Collections Committee is hosting a 2-day foresight workshop aimed at examining and discussing the sustainability of current practices and future drivers for collections preservation and materials conservation in Australia.
The workshop will gain input from the Australian conservation community and allied professionals and key stakeholders, to ensure our objectives over the next 5 years meet the needs of industry, collections and the professional.
The event will be facilitated by José Ramos, Director, Action Foresight. The workshop will bookend the National Conference, so we expect a cross-over of ideas and discussions to take place that week.
Reconciliation Committee
Recently an invitation to members to form a Reconciliation Committee was extended. I’m pleased to let you know that nine members volunteered to join and Agata Rostek-Robak, Manager Conservation at Australian National Maritime Museum, has been appointed Chair. National Council looks forward to working with the committee.
AGM
The 2019 Annual General Meeting will be held during the National Conference, scheduled for Friday 15 November. Nominations for positions on National Council will open soon. If you are interested in a council position, please submit a nomination. If you would like more information about the roles, please contact the Secretariat, Michelle Berry secretariat@aiccm.org.au or members directly – details are on the AICCM website. Nick Flood’s interview in this e-news will surely be of interest!
I hope you enjoy the September e-news!
Jennifer O’Connell
President