Welcome to 2026!
After the difficult losses in the Chapter last year, things seem to be hitting their stride again. Judy Abernethy, Becky Bonato, Mags St Clare, and the team are now firmly in place. By early February, Kim Richards will join us as Executive Leader. I’ve worked with Kim before and can vouch for her strong drive, passion for our industry and advocacy skills.
Our Queensland membership will have strong voices on National Council in 2026: our two National Councillors, Justin O’Neill and Liza Neil, will continue to bring their intelligence, persistence and generosity to national conversations, while Lisa Moore, as Chair of the AIA Board, will continue to provide steady, respected leadership.
In October, the AIA National Conference returns to Brisbane for the first time since 2012. These are powerful forums to engage with outstanding work across our profession, and collectively discuss the big challenges we face – this year in our own patch – so Queensland member representation should be high!
Looking ahead, our advocacy agenda remains strong. I have been working with President-Elect Peter Gardiner to ensure continuity across our key priorities, including the Olympics, housing, procurement and climate resilience.
With major Olympic design commissions now underway, the next challenge is protecting design quality through delivery. Strong, client-side design integrity processes are essential—from early documentation through to construction—across Brisbane and the regions.
Momentum is also building around the ‘Green Pathways and Gold Places – Green Grid’ advocacy, focusing on the public realm and landscape connections between Olympic venues. Joint work with allied institutes, Brisbane City Council and the State Government is helping push a more ambitious, city-shaping agenda for inner Brisbane.
Our partnership with QShelter’s Community of Practice continues this year, advocating for affordable, well-designed and genuinely diverse infill housing.
Conversations with the State Government on procurement reform are also progressing, with our recommendations now being actively tested in discussions with the Deputy Director-General of Works.
I hope you’ll join me for my final presidential event, the President’s Dinner on 20 February at Customs House. These nights are always a terrific opportunity to reconnect and celebrate long careers and emerging ones. It’s also an opportunity for our profession to engage with Governments, and this year we are focusing particularly on local government.
As I step down as President and hand the role to Peter, I want to thank Chapter Council, National Council, our outstanding staff and our Regional Chairs. This year has reminded me just how much capability, generosity and determination sit within our membership.
I look forward to continuing to cross paths with you in this life in architecture.