And just like that Mad March for 2023 has come and gone. It’s always a truly wonderful time of year to be an Adelaidean and be able to soak up all that the Fringe, Adelaide Festival and WOMAdelaide have to offer. It also marks the close of my first month as the SA Chapter President.
With what has felt like a relatively straightforward transition into this role, I can only reflect and put it down to the support and assistance of the SA Chapter team, Alex and Jan. Of course, Nicolette and Anthony have efficiently brought me up to speed on our ongoing advocacy roles and made introductions to our wider built environment networks to ensure consistency in our voice and to build on those relationships. There’s also the continued support of my fellow SA Chapter Councillors. Thank you all.
Throughout the month I met with the ACA, ODASA and the APBSA with very encouraging conversations about fostering alignment in our purpose. For the first time in 3 years, the SA Chapter also hosted the Design and Built Environment Councils networking event, where we heard from AILA, DIA and PIA about their current initiatives and plans for the year ahead.
This was followed by participation at our National Council meeting in Victoria, where many a topic were discussed over the two days. I even learned that with our 13,500 members, we are one of the top five largest member-based Architecture Institutes in the world. This is an amazing feat and really shows our relevance in the Built Environment, not just locally, but internationally too.
While in Victoria, I also had the privilege of attending the Venice Biennale Preview for the upcoming Australian Pavilion exhibition of Unsettling Queenstown, which explores the themes of Decolonization. If you are not familiar with this upcoming work, please seek it out. With a Creative Director team that includes 3 of our very own South Australians, it is further proof that our voice is not only travelling far, but it is being listened to as well.
Knowing that the world is listening and seeking out our advice, it is then up to those in the profession to nurture and mentor our future colleagues to compound our collective impact. This motivates me, and it is why I am looking forward to seeking out advice from those in our EmAGN cohort to reflect on their ever-changing roles as emerging leaders. Stay tuned, and thank you for a great first month.
Regards
Chris Morley
