Note from the President
Season’s Greetings from the Australian Institute of International Affairs Victoria
Informed citizens can make a difference in the world. We are a non-partisan membership organisation whose purpose is to explore global issues and opportunities that transcend borders. Through our extensive programme of events, we engage with policy makers, business executives, diplomats, politicians, academics, philanthropists and civic leaders and an attentive public to listen, learn, discuss and debate international affairs issues.
The Year Ahead
After another excellent year of events and activities, you can look forward to joining us for an even bigger and better year of Institute activities in 2014.
Call for Applications for AIIAV Internships
To support the work of the Institute and to offer work experience, we are offering and calling for applications for two crucial Internships commencing in early 2014.
The Programme Development Intern will support the work of Council in developing Australia’s foremost international relations events programme. The successful Intern will help identify international affairs topics and speakers, draft flyers and social media posts and press releases, and assist with event management. The successful applicant will need an excellent understanding of international affairs and first-class, engaging writing skills. The Position Description for this Internship can be obtained from Cate Pickett, Council Member AIIAV cpickett@gmx.com
The Marketing Intern will work across a very wide range of marketing responsibilities, including research, branding, developing marketing materials, updating the website and social media, and writing newsletters. The Position Description for this Internship can be obtained from AIIAV Council Member Lisa Pititto lisapititto@optusnet.com.au
Applications for both Internships close on the 20th January 2014.
Euan Crone Asia Awareness Scholarship
At our recent Festive Luncheon where noted economist Mr Saul Eslake discussed the global economic situation this year and next, the four national winners of the 2013 Euan Crone Asia Awareness Scholarship were announced. The Victorian recipient was Scott Lennard, who will use his scholarship to implement a microfinance project in Vietnam in 2014. I wholeheartedly thank Euan Crone for his foresight and generosity for his significant donation which is funding the Scholarship program. Further detail can be found on our website at https://www.internationalaffairs.org.au?s=Euan+Crone+Asian+Awareness+Scholarship
Donors
I would like to thank our donors for their continuing support. Your support helps your Institute in many ways and in particular to provide the high quality of programmes that we run.
AIIAV Endowment
AIIAV has now established an Investment Fund to support the activities of the Institute. The Fund can accept donations and bequests from any individual or organisation, and a separate bank account has been specifically established for this purpose. The Fund will be used to support and enhance the Objects of the Institute and to support the work of the Institute over the long term. The AIIAV Investment Fund provides an opportunity for contributors to be confident that AIIAV has a future. For more information, please contact Peta McDermott at admin.vic@aiia.asn.au
New Office Holders and Council
At November’s Annual General Meeting, we farewelled from Council Leslie Rowe, Gordon Tippett, the Hon. Jim Short, Robyn Byrne OAM, Toni Feddersen, Pat Pettit and Julian Reeves. My deep thanks to each of you for your excellent service to the Institute over many years.
Our new Council members are John Allen, Zoe Dauth, the Hon. David Harper AM, Dr Michael Henry, Breck Hilton, Dr Mike McCluskey, Peter McMullin, Patrick Moore, Dennis O’Neill, Cate Pickett, Lisa Pititto and Daniel Steedman. I was very pleased to accept the role of President, with Gary Neat continuing as Vice President and Peter McMullin taking on the role of Treasurer. Continuing Council members are Michael Helman, Ian Howie, Sean Jesudason, John Richardson and Dr Deborah Seifert. We are looking forward to a very exciting period ahead with our new team.
I also acknowledge the excellent work of all our volunteers who help keep the wheels turning, and in particular the superb teams running the Young Professionals Forum and the Quarterly Access publications. And to Peta McDermott for keeping everything moving forward in another very busy year.
New members
I am delighted to welcome the following new members to the Institute: Ms Maria Wills, Mr Thiru Sollamuthu, Mr Gary Jungwirth, Mr Christopher Devine, Mr Raoul Renard, Ms Monica Palotas-McBride, Mr Ronan Lee, Miss Clare O’Meara, Mr Thomas Doyle, Miss Alice Grainger, Ms Joanna Corbett, Consulate of the Republic of Korea (Mr Mincheol Shin, Consul General), Miss Bonnie Aylen, Ms Jessica Smith, Mr David Thwaites, Ms Kerry Boland, Mr Trevor Holloway, Ms Jingru Liu, Ms Anna Saunders, Mr Daniel Ryan, Mr Greg Wills, Miss Sophie Gaston, Mr Lachlan Wills, Mr Alex Kontis, Mr Saul Eslake, Professor Peter Doherty, Mrs Prue Forster, Ms Lyn Morrish, Mr Norman Fosberry, Mr Jeffrey Richardson and Miss Dimity Manngring.
Office hours for the Holiday Period:
The AIIAV will reopen on Monday 13 January, 2014.
My best wishes to you and your family over the holiday season. I look forward to seeing you in 2014.
Laurence Wade
President