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AGM A Time To Reflect
As I write my report, it's the AGM time of year, and that's when I get to see all the branch annual reports: the first thing I think of is that a lot of work has gone in to keeping PESA running for another year.
Around 65 lunches are organised, and this includes finding speakers to fit into the individual branch scheduling. Some of our speakers are shared around the branches, but not many. I counted over 50 unique talks presented during the past 12 months. I could write out the list here and it would fill this page. Add around 15 short-courses some with big travel circuits to organise, and 20 social events including a couple of gala fundraising occasions, Qld Symposium, PESA Deal Day, Golf events everywhere, and you have a very busy organisation.
In addition, somewhere in all this there are two large and one smaller conference organising committees fully occupied with EABS, WABS and CABS. They all received a big plug last edition and I hope by now all are firmly on the radar of a training and professional development budget very near to you, with your name in mind.
All of this from around 2000 members. I say 2000 but at this time there are quite a few still to pay their 2012 membership. I expect when the last latecomers arrive we should be at our regular strength of 1900+. That was a hint by the way. If you are still to renew your list of reading material it will very shortly no longer include PESA News Resources ... a shame as it is such a terrific read.
We also do a good job getting students involved. Around the branch committees every year our student representatives whip up around 200, sometimes 300 students. That is a pretty good investment return for a few beer nights and the like. OK, it's free to join as a student and many are not retained, but it provides a steady stream of new members and I would like to recognise the efforts of the student reps for keeping our organisation in the eyes of the student bodies. Getting scholarship applications to be taken seriously seems to be a full-time job sometimes too. We fund in total around $60,000 in student support in one form or another from central funds, and some branches have additional prizes.
Post APPEA there is one big stand-out effort to recognise: Phillip Cooney put in a vast self-funded effort into preparing the PESA Exploration review paper. My deadline for this President's Report was actually just prior to APPEA, so I haven't seen the paper as I submitted this, but I'm prepared to go in to print that no-one will have regretted choosing that session above all others. It's one of the great unsung annual efforts in PESA and Phil has shouldered that burden unflinchingly.
Many branches have had committee changes and, of course, I want to thank everybody who has put in time and effort on committee roles. I hope I don't tread on any toes by mentioning just a few more by name:
Jennifer Wadsworth from WA has departed overseas and we welcome Simon Davey as the incoming WA President. Jennifer has been a powerhouse for PESA and we all miss her and wish her well. Jennifer insists she will not lose touch completely and we aim to hold her to that promise. From WA committee also Dianne Tompkins has moved overseas, whose organisation of the Federal Scholarships has been outstanding.
Eric Tenthorey has completed his two year stint as ACT president and we welcome Chris Consoli as the incoming President. Eric remains on the ACT committee and his ongoing commitment to PESA is welcome. Eric has had great results building the profile of PESA in the ACT. ACT is a really active branch, I credit Eric for a lot of that but I'm sure the new committee will build on strength.
In Qld the long serving treasurer, (might even be a record), Andrew Constantine is handing over to Emma Kinnon. Andrew has been a great contributor to PESA over the years and is another one we hope won't disappear completely.
In NSW Lucy Maclean has handed over to Max Williamson. Lucy has also shifted location and we appreciate the time and effort Lucy has been able to put in under difficult circumstances. I'm sure WA branch will track you down soon Lucy.
A couple of issues ago I banged the drum about land access compensation: how the idea of a formula based on the economic value of the land seemed to be breaking down a little in the face of the Prime Farming Land brouhaha. I read lately someone is floating the idea of a public register of land access agreements. This might shake a few possums out of the trees, particularly those claiming landholders are getting nothing or worse for their troubles.
Around the Branches
In early May WA held its ever popular Ophir Energy Charity Ball, where they raised another $18K for the Royal Flying Doctors Service. A recent talk of note describing the Indian Ocean Tsunami Warning and Mitigation System was delivered by Jane Cunneen from UNESCO.
WA was the final stop on Ian Longley's 2011 DL tour and 200 people turned out for an entertaining and informative session.
ACT branch recently held a couple of serious events: croquet (at Yarralumla, they tell me but I guess that's just the suburb - no cucumber sandwiches?) then pool at the ANU, rounded off with a well integrity masterclass run by FESAus, who run many excellent Webcasts like this one.
Vic/Tas branch is looking at a couple of themed core workshops this year. The Vic Govt is shifting its core store and the local geos want to make sure that the store and its contents are appreciated.
I hope that those of you who made it to APPEA enjoyed the event.
Cheers,
Gordon Wakelin-King
Federal President.
