2017 President’s Report

Australian Institute of Geoscientists > 2017 President’s Report

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AIG PRESIDENT’S REPORT 2016-2017

President’s Report to the 2016 AIG Annual General Meeting, held 17 May 2016 at the Irish Club of WA, Subiaco WA.

Membership growth continued increasing from 2828 financial members in May 2016 to 2964 in May 2017.

RPGeo programme continued to grow with 165 members.

More than 20 seminars and workshops were put on by the Branches since the last AGM.

Highlights:

  • ASEG-PESA-AIG 2016. 25th International Geophysics Conference and Exhibition Adelaide
  • 13th South Australian Exploration and Mining Conference in collaboration with AusIMM, GSA and SACOME Dec 2016
  • Gold17@Rotorua in collaboration with AusIMM and GNS
  • AIG Council recognised the need for more efficient service delivery and communication. In 2016 it successfully rolled out:

  • online membership application and renewal system (360°)
  • conversion of AIG News to a fully digital format
  • complete revamp of AIG website
  • Mentoring program initiated by the new National Graduate Committee is being rolled out nationally.

    Focus on Corporate Governance. AIG is a non-for-profit organisation listed with ASIC. On going compliance:

  • Articles of Association and Memorandum of Understanding replaced by new AIG Constitution
  • AICD retained to provide training and advice incorporate governance to Council
  • AIG continued to run employment surveys quarterly showing continued high unemployment and underemployment of members.

    AIG actively participated in areas of interest such as:

  • Financial support to a realistic estimation of Australia’s Economically Recoverable Mineral Resources
  • Uncover “Roadmap” on future directions for exploration geoscience research
  • AIG has active branches now in five states holding conferences, workshops and social events for members. Access videos of technical presentations are being made available online (AIG Website).

  • Tasmanian branch established in Oct 2015
  • Investigating re-establishing a branch in South Australia
  • Geoscience education remains a strong focus of AIG activities, principally through the AIG Bursary Program but also including support for TESEP and ESWA.

    Education Foundation awarded 16 Bursaries in 2016 for a total of $32,600.

    AIG was also actively involved in various national committees including:

  • JORC Committee
  • VALMIN Committee
  • Australian Geoscience Council
  • National Rock Garden Committee
  • GSA Geotourism Committee
  • IUGS Global Professionalism Task Group
  • ? Outstanding issues being addressed:

  • Improve knowledge of member’s professional interests and fields of practice
  • Establishment of technical and specialist groups
  • Investigation of Professionalism and Licencing in the industry
  • AIG remains in a healthy financial position.

    Membership fees increased in 2016 in line with CPI;

  • to fund improved administrative support for AIG activities
  • deferral of membership fees continues to be available to unemployed members
  • student membership remains free
  • AIG recognises the efforts of many enthusiastic and committed people who volunteer their time on Council and State Branch committees as well as donors and sponsor’s support of professional development courses and education assistance.

    2016 AIG Service Award for outstanding service by a member awarded to Geoff Turner. GT joined AIG in 1992; established GPIC in 1994 as a technical and forum for geoscientists in central Victoria; formed the AIG Vic branch in 1996 serving as chairman and secretary until 2009, and was again chairman in 2014; GT was elected to Council in 1999, serving as Treasurer (2000-2002) and Vice Pres (2002-2005); and proposed the establishment of the RPGeo scheme.

    AIG collaborating with other organisations on upcoming major events:

  • Tenth International Mine Geology Conference 2017, 20-22 September Hobart Tasmania with AusIMM
  • AEGC 2018 Australian Exploration Geoscience Conference Sydney incollaboration with ASEG and PESA. 18-21 February 2018