This will be the last edition of the e-news while almost all the current National Council executive committee holds office. The e-news team, on behalf of the AICCM, would like to take this space to acknowledge the work of the committee over the last four years: Secretary Emma Dacey (who we hope will be carrying on in the position), former vice-presidents Grace Barrand and Sayang Rehan, Treasurer Libby Melzer and, especially, President Alice Cannon. Alice always managed to put aside the time to contribute a President’s Letter to our community for the e-news during her tenure so, in a way, this is our letter to the president.
Stepping up from the vice-president’s to the president’s role in September 2020, Alice took on the role during a period of great change, stewarding AICCM through COVID-19 lockdowns and successfully negotiating the organisation’s change of structure to that of a charity. She oversaw the AICCM’s first foray into having an employee, an important milestone, and she was there driving the celebrations for the AICCM’s 50th anniversary including the 50+/- National Conference, which was our most successful conference ever held. She was vital in the successful rollout of the 50k for 50 Years project, both on the fund-raising side and in overseeing the selection of grant candidates, who are now all well underway towards the successful undertaking of these significant projects.
Alice also guided AICCM through the complexities of the AICCM support for the ‘Yes’ vote in the 2023 Australian Indigenous Voice referendum, as well as establishing the development committee, running regular National Council committee meetings, National Executive committee meetings and all the other tasks that somehow land on the president’s place (of course very rewarding tasks, all). Alice continues to lead with great humour and respect for the contributions that all elected and non-elected members of National Council make to the running of this organisation. She reminds us of the principles of this institute and its unique position in representing the region’s conservators who do so much to protect our shared cultural record.
