2024 Reflection from NT Chapter President, Miriam Wallace, RAIA
I wasn’t sure what to expect stepping into the Chapter President role mid this year. The change in chapter staffing gave us an opportunity to think strategically about our priorities. The Chapter council decided that our primary areas of focus would be advocacy for better process and outcomes for built environment projects, particularly when working with Local Authorities and NT Government. And supporting CDU in their ambitions to revise and grow their architectural education stream. We have put our focus into these things for the second half of the year. I have met with the new Minister for Logistics, Infrastructure and Housing Construction. We have been walking beside CDU in the relaunch of the Architecture Bachelors Degree and, with the help of Rebecca Adams, have provided CDU to AIA National resources through the National Education Committee. The Chapter has formed a new Housing Advocacy Committee and I have meetings lined up with the Acting General Manager of Housing Minister of Lands Planning and the Environment in the new year. I was also able to join the National Council Meetings in Adelaide and be present at the National Awards Night where and NT located project was awarded in the Multi Residential Category.
In all these things I have relied on the support of the Chapter Council and also Karen Relph. With outstanding support from the National AIA team Karen has gone above and beyond to complete the work of two people while we look to fill the Executive Director Role. Thanks to everyone who has been part of helping us navigate all the change this year so smoothly. A special thankyou to Rossi Kourounis. Your work and care as Chapter President in 2023 and early 2024 stood us in good stead to navigate all the change this year. To Steve Huntingford and Jenny Culgan who stepped into the breach to support the Chapter in an interim President role. To Emma Moore and all of the National team who have taken on additional work duties to support Karen in her sole role. We could not have done it without you all and I look forward to continuing to work closely with everyone for the advancement of architecture in the NT in 2025.
2024 Reflection from NT Chapter Manager (interim), Karen Relph
It has been a busy year for the NT Chapter with policy and advocacy to include the election priorities for the NT Chapter here to the Northern Territory Government and Leader of the Opposition, meetings with Ministers and Department Heads, Stakeholders and Members, along with hosting many events throughout 2024. A change of management within the Chapter happened in July 2024 along with our newly appointed President, Miriam Wallace appointed in August 2024. In November we hosted respect@the Institute Training for staff and Chapter Councillors.
Management & Chapter Council and Committees
The Chapter Council continues to be active on various committees both nationally and locally:
- Steven Huntingford recently appointed to the Registration Board
- Rebecca Adams as National Education Committee Representative
- Jenny Culgan, Building Advisory Committee
- Miriam Wallace, Housing Committee along with various EmAGN members
- Andrew Swenson, Housing Committee
- Maiya McKenna and Paul Bartsch, EmAGN Co-Chairs
- Karen Relph, National Honours and Prizes Committee
The Council will continue to advocate for a Government Architect in the Northern Territory, along with various other issues including compulsory CPD, Insurance and Code of Conduct and continue to work with Charles Darwin University in support of their architectural diploma, Bachelor and Masters of Architecture implementation.
EmAGN Report
EmAGN NT has been very active in Darwin and Alice Springs in 2024.
An EmAGN series of speakers have been held throughout the year in both regions.
- Rammed Earth Series with Marni Reti (Darwin and Alice Springs)
- Miriam Wallace NT Chapter President (Alice Springs)
- Andrew Broffman FRAIA (Alice Springs)
- Michael Klerk (Alice Springs)
- GURR ERA Op – featuring Katy Moir and Ghenoa Gela (Darwin)
Numerous members of the EmAGN cohort were also successful in obtaining registration after formal and informal groups attended various sessions on becoming registered.
The NT Chapter in collaboration with Engineers Australia and Australian Water Association hosted the inaugural End of Year event ‘Tinsel and Talk’ in Alice Springs which was well attended in the region with future collaborations into the future after the success of this event.
Awards and Events in 2024
The NT Chapter Awards were held at the Novotel Resort, Darwin Airport on 1 June 2024. One of the entries from the NT, ‘Nungalinya’ went onto to receive national accolade at the national awards held in November 2024 for Multi-Residential Housing. The NT Awards were hosted by Dan Bourchier from ABC News, a previous local Northern Territory from Tennant Creek. Other Awards winners included:
The Tracy Memorial Award
- Nungalinya | Incidental Architecture | Traditional Owners: Larrakia
Indigenous Community Architecture
- Nungalinya | Incidental Architecture | Traditional Owners: Larrakia
Educational Architecture – Commendation
- Dripstone Middle School STEAM Centre | Hames Sharley NT Pty Ltd | Traditional Owners: Larrakia
EMAGN Project Award
- Melaleuca Australia Courtyard Shade Structure| Hames Sharley NT Pty Ltd | Traditional owners: Larrakia
People’s Choice Award
- Nungalinya | Incidental Architecture | Traditional Owners: Larrakia
Emerging Architect Prize
- Katy Moir
Student Prize
- Jomar Benison
Entries are now open for 2025 and close in March 2025. Get your entries in early to avoid disappointment. The NT has a great program coming for the 2025 Awards – stay tuned. The Chapter is looking for an Architecture member to sit on the 2025 Jury. You will join Matt Elkan from Incidental Architecture and Jan-Marie Jaillei from Design Institute of Australia SA/NT on the Jury Panel along with EmAGN Co-Chair for the Emerging Architect Prize and EmAGN Project.
Thank you to our supporting partners for the 2024 Awards, without their support the Awards would not be possible and look forward to continuing with our relationships into the future.
- QS Services
- Gerflor
- Rossi Architects
- Department of Infrastructure & Planning (now Department of Lands & Infrastructure)
- Lysaght (National Partners)
- Alspec (National Partners)
Dinner and Debate 2024
In July 2024, the NT Chapter in collaboration with member organisations including DIA, PIA, EA, NAWIC and CHIA and various other organisations to bring together a ‘dinner and debate’ with the then Chief Minister, Eva Lawler and Leader of the Opposition, Lia Finocchiaro (now Chief Minister of the Northern Territory). Over 120 attended this much anticipated event on the NT Calendar.
NT Business Council
The NT Chapter Manager continues to attend NT Business Council meetings with the opportunity to attend a luncheon with the Minister for Trade, Business, Asian Relations & International Education & Migration who provided an insight into her portfolio and moving forward. The Minister offered to meet with Chapter Council in 2025. Members also met with the Office of the Territory Coordinator recently who also gave an oversight on the roles and responsibilities of this office. This provided an opportunity for members to raise issues and concerns which were tabled at the meeting.
Tinsel and Talk
The End of Year event ‘Tinsel and Talk’ is also a collaborative event hosted at George Brown Gardens Visitor Centre. Over 130 attended this event and was hosted in collaboration with Australian Institute of Landscape Architects, Design Institute of Australia, Engineers Australia, National Association of Women in Construction Planning Institute of Australia and supported with partners, Tarkett, NT Tile Gallery, Lysaght, Engineers Australia and National Association of Women in Construction. A great night of networking, games with the photo booth being a great hit. See photos here
On behalf of the NT Chapter, I wish everyone a very happy festive season and look forward to introducing newly appointed Chapter Councillors in 2025 who will continue to work with members, stakeholders, partners and national office to continue to advocate for the Architectural profession.
Have a safe and happy break.
Karen Relph
NT Chapter Manager (Interim)
