11 April
Thank you to all members who provided feedback for our governance review. Your comments and suggestions are important and have been collated and are now being considered by the National Executive Committee, National Council and Clayton Utz. We are working on a feedback loop of the key themes and appropriate amendments will be incorporated into the final submission, which will be detailed in the Notice of Annual General Meeting, issued to members with voting rights 22 April.
Over the last few weeks I’ve had the opportunity to visit chapters in Victoria, South Australia, Western Australia, Queensland, ACT and Tasmania, and speak to staff in person as well as attend some chapter councils and events. We’ve had discussions about governance, CEO recruitment and candid enquiry and opinion about the recent history of the organisation.
These exchanges distil the essence of our engaged membership – passionate, opinionated, caring, interested, combative and even appreciative. Eager for information and opinion, protective in an approximately even dose. What emerges for me is the question: how do we positively and transparently move the Institute forward? Certainly my thanks go out to our staff and each council who made me so welcome in each location.
This is my last column as Interim CEO, so I’d like to offer some reflection on the past six months. First, let me say what a pleasure it has been to serve at the organisation. Arriving at a challenging time and tasked with effecting a substantial change agenda has been made possible by the unwavering support of National Council, staff and the membership generally.
I am confident that we have seen the worst of times and we are already making meaningful progress. While some programs are yet to be fully realised and will require ongoing focus, the major work has been done to usher in a new phase in the life of the organisation, one that will be shaped by a lean, efficient and sustainable operating model. The recent appointment of Jennifer Cunich as CEO will build on this with vitality and focus.
I thank staff, councillors and members for their support. Everyone has risen to the challenge, and gone above-and-beyond to ensure the long-term sustainability of the Institute. I would especially like to acknowledge National President, Jon Clements, Immediate Past President, David Karotkin, and President Elect, Ken Maher, for their leadership and commitment to the Institute, its members and to the profession, and to thank our supportive and collaborative National Council. I also express my deep appreciation to our staff during this time – we are privileged to have on board such dedicated and skilled group.
Greg Ridder
Interim CEO.
