We did it! Our 2024 AGM was belatedly held on 18 January 2025.

A bit of a background … this AGM was deferred from the usual November date (with permission from the relevant authorities) after the changes in leadership late last year and was held in Canberra, hosted by our new President Dr Brenda Masters.

The hybrid Zoom and in-person meeting involved councillors and ordinary members from all our member states. It was great to see some Victorians make the effort to attend in person, and I was pleased to be able to come personally on my way home to FNQ after an overseas break! Canberra put on fabulous weather to welcome us!

I am happy to report that we got as much business done as we could cram into one sitting. The Annual Report contains most of the background information and minutes will be distributed by our faithful secretary, Katrina Harris. Our financial balance sheet looks very healthy as presented by our President on behalf of the outgoing Treasurer Evelyn Konstantopoulos and Assistant Treasurer, Desiree Yap. With no nomination for Treasurer to fill the vacancy, our President has agreed to be Acting Treasurer. We hope that a dedicated Treasurer can be found soon, possibly a job-share? Brenda is happy to help as much as is needed. (see our current Positions Vacant)

We are planning to consider the finalised Code of Conduct document at our next Council meeting in March – originally crafted by Sharon Miskell, Brenda Masters and Jennifer Schaffer it is now awaiting feedback by the State organisations. The Governance working group led by Kate Duncan, was given direction on how to proceed with constitutional change with smaller necessary changes this year and anticipated deeper organizational changes in the following year. The Purple Bush Medicine Leaves project (PBML) which was temporary paused to review the reporting feedback and finances has been officially un-paused.

The Governance Working Group, Reconciliation Action Plan group, and PBML Bursary group are actively seeking new members, and now is a great time for members with a passion to contribute to become involved in these worthwhile projects. Over the coming weeks invitations for expressions of interest in these and other working groups will be published in the eBulletin. We will also be looking for women to help organize the 2027 Western Pacific MWIA Conference in Melbourne. It coincides with our AFMW Centennial year – a dual celebration? Do consider stepping forward!

AGM 2024 attendees in person and via Zoom

checking out the Nishi Staircase with Betty Ge, Brenda Masters, Madhura Naidu, Kate Duncan, Sandra Hirowatari — Checking out the Nishi Staircase with Betty Ge, Brenda Masters, Madhura Naidu, Kate Duncan, Sandra Hirowatari

In the past years, after the AGM we have other AFMW or State MWS business and so Council meets next day for a powwow for strategic planning. This year we squished in our strategic planning meeting in the afternoon after the AGM so we had unexpected free time to explore Canberra (see photos below) and take in the National Museum of Australia Pompeii exhibit on Sunday. Highly recommended, preserved artefacts from 2 millennia ago and a chilling reminder of humans at the mercy of natural disasters.