Australian Institute of Physics (SA branch) http://www.physics.adelaide.edu.au/aip-sa 2002 AGM MINUTES Minutes of the 2002 Annual General meeting, held at 6:00pm on Thursday 28nd November, 2002 in the Kerr Grant Lecture Theatre in the Physics Building at the University of Adelaide. PRESENT: Dr Peter Bouwknegt Dr Olivia Samardzic Dr Peter Veitch Dr Shane Canney Dr Rod Crewther Ms Kathryn Hanton Ms Samantha Carter Ms Penny Hale Dr Michael Brunger Mr John Pockett Dr Alex Kalloniatis Mr Dean Dowling Ms Susan Cockshell Mr John Pattison Dr Judith Pollard Ms Susan Gunner A/prof Geoff Goodwin Prof Angas Hurst Dr Laurence Campbell APOLOGIES: Mr David French Mr Ken Smith Dr Daphne Sands Dr Todd Maddern WELCOME: Members were welcomed by the Chair, Dr Peter Bouwknegt. MINUTES OF THE 2001 AGM: These were accepted by consensus. BUSINESS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES: Kalloniatis said that the payment to Prof Bailes had been made. CHAIR'S REPORT: Peter Bouwknegt reported that the branch funding has been changed and is now more flexible, with scope for new initiatives and funded activities. He noted that the branch is still one of the more active in Australia. He reported that Michael Ford had left the committee while Penny Hale was a new member who had been involved in the Careers Night. Peter reviewed the meetings of the year, noting that there was a slow start as two big events fell through. There was only one meeting early in the year. This was a public lecture on "Quantum Information Science", which was not well received. On July 24th a public forum on "Perspectives on Space Environment Research" was the best attended event of the year, attracting 200-300 people. So, further such events will be attempted in future. On 8th August the National AIP president A/Prof. John O'Connor spent a day at the University of Adelaide and had dinner with 20 members. (Peter noted that few people attended dinners prior to public lectures.) On September 3rd Andrea Gerson spoke to a joint meeting of the AIP and the Australian Institute of Biology. We should do more joint meetings, as such talks are not heard otherwise and it leads to interaction. The Student Night had two speakers, Susan Gunner and Aidan Brooks, with no speaker from the UniSA. The Women-in-Physics lecture (which is a recurring event) was given by A/prof Lidia Morawska, who gave the public lecture and a departmental seminar. The public lecture was not well attended and we are looking into the cause. On 2nd October the joint meeting with the ASSA was a lecture by David Malin. The AGM dinner is to be held later in the evening and there will be a WISER/AIP lecture by Prof. Rod Boswell on December 9th. Peter reported on the activities of the Education subcommittee, of which the members are Susan Cockshell, Penny Hale, Mike Roach, Peter Veitch and the convenor Olivia Samardzic. The current activities include study guides, the exam wrap-up, the South Australian Space School, the Quiz Night and the Careers Night, with teacher training on hold for this year. The study guides were held on 21st September and were a 2-hour seminar on exam study techniques organised by SASTA for 80 students. The AIP provided the venue. The South Australian Space School is completely self-funded, mainly via DSTO. It runs over several days for students from all over South Australia. Two of the students go to the International Space Camp in the U.S. The AIP Science Quiz was again won by St. Peters'. There were some new schools involved this year. The Careers Night was addressed by several speakers and was well received. Future activities involve something for primary schools, although not a lot has been organised yet, and the teacher training is to be continued. Peter reviewed the awards for this year. 78 certificates of merit were given for full marks in the year-12 exam, with the Bronze Bragg medal given to the top student. Silver Bragg medals were awarded to the best third-year student in 2001 at each University. William Detmold was the state nomination for the Gold Bragg medal. The Claire Corani awards were given to Sarah Casey of Flinders and Lara Kelly of Adelaide Uni. Jon Tamblyn, of Prince Alfred College, was the recipient of an AIP sponsored SASTA Oliphant Award. A student travel award was given to Michael Bromley from the NTU. (Peter noted that the Northern Territory is part of the SA branch, with 3 members.) Peter reviewed the Science policy subcommittee, which consisted of himself and Olivia Samardzic. They have not been active this year, except for attending "Science Meets Parliament" and taking part in a national meeting. The Chair's report was accepted, as PROPOSED by Olivia Samardzic and SECONDED by Alex Kalloniatis. TREASURER'S REPORT: This was given by the treasurer, Dr Shane Canney, illustrated with overheads. Shane distributed copies of the bank reconciliation statement up to 30th September. Starting with $4818.63, the branch had received $11800 and spent $4180, this large difference resulting in a final balance of $12500.37, which reconciles with cash in the bank. Shane noted that he could provide details of expenditure. He explained the surplus of $7681.74 (which is not quite as rosy as it looks) as being due to a budget being proposed to the national branch and all items being accepted. The funding was allocated for the calendar year, which is not the same as the AIP financial year. Also money was given for a digital video camera which has not yet been puchased. Shane said that we need to reassess the budget for next year as we were optimistic that the branch would maintain a high level of activity. The treasurer's report was accepted, as PROPOSED by Alex Kalloniatis and SECONDED by Peter Veitch. DISCUSSION: - Laurence Campbell noted that the lost books had been found. - Samantha Carter said she knew someone who could tape talks. - Michael Brunger asked if the books had been audited. Shane Canney replied that there is a requirement for the National branch to do it. He noted that there is still a $3000 surplus. - John Pockett asked about the national reserves, these being a separate pot for special events. Shane replied that they don't exist. However, Peter Bouwknegt noted that formally they still do, as they are the source for the video camera, but some branches are accruing money so all money is to go to one account and branches will be funded on their budget. - Alex Kalloniatis referred to the events that fell through, saying that he intends one to go to completion with the second still being possible, so some of the money will be spent. Samantha Carter noted that there could be a shortfall on airfares, as they were organised last year. - Michael Brunger noted that there are international conferences next year which will lead to more requests for travel. Laurence Campbell noted that these may be reduced in number due to the rule changes. Judith Pollard suggested that we need to know in advance and to make sure that the students know the rules. She suggested that they may not be a good idea, as it could be a way to get students in, and suggested that the decision be reviewed. Shane replied that the changes were made by the committee. Peter Bouwknegt noted that our rules are less strict than those of the national branch, which only wants to support AIP conferences. Laurence reminded that we now give free 3rd year membership. Alex said that he makes a point in Honours courses that membership is worthwhile. - Samantha Carter asked if the issue of students joining in 1st year had been resolved. Peter Bouwknegt explained that the problem is over the free membership. He had not received a positive answer, but would put in a request to the national branch. Laurence and Peter clarified why there is a problem over free membership, in that it is not offered to students who are already members. ELECTION OF THE 2003 COMMITTEE: The nomination list for the 2003 committee was displayed, being: Chair: Dr Peter Veitch University of Adelaide Vice-chair: Dr Olivia Samardzic Defence Science and Technology Organisation Treasurer: Dr Shane Canney Defence Science and Technology Organisation Secretary: Dr Laurence Campbell Adelaide and Flinders Universities Dr Peter Bouwknegt University of Adelaide Dr Derek Leinweber University of Adelaide Dr Boris Blankleider Flinders University of South Australia Dr Alex Kalloniatis University of Adelaide Ms Susan Cockshell Annesley College Ms Penny Hale Flinders University of South Australia Student coordinator: Ms Samantha Carter University of Adelaide As there were no new nominations, the committee was deemed to be elected by default. It was noted that the rules limit committee members to eight years of continuous membership. ANY OTHER BUSINESS: Peter Bouwknegt, in his last meeting as Chair, thanked the committee members, noting that all subcommittees had been active. He noted that starting his membership of the committee and being Chair at the same time had stopped him from doing a better job. He thanked all committee members and wished well for the next committee. David French, who was retiring, was specifically thanked. Peter asked if there was any idea why so few people were present. He noted that we try to do things in different ways, but it is always the same people who show up. Samantha Carter suggested that after exams people go away. She asked if we could have an AIP ice-breaker dinner, with a speaker similar to one at the Careers Night. She referred to the AIP barbeque in the 1st or 2nd week and asked if Flinders could organise something similar. John Pockett referred to the RACI free barbeque, which was very successful for everyone. Peter asked if this should be in place of the annual dinner. Samantha said that people should have fun at the first event. The Chair, Peter Bouwknegt, declared the meeting closed at 6:42pm. Laurence Campbell, 25th November 2003