Australian Institute of Physics, SA branch. Minutes of the committee meeting held at 6pm on Wednesday May 19th 2004 in room 201, Physics building, University of Adelaide Present: Jamie Quinton, Laurence Campbell, Peter Veitch, Boris Blankleider and Susan Cockshell. Apologies: Peter Bouwknegt, Michael Brunger, Olivia Samardzic, Wade Shiell, Sam Drake Minutes of the last meeting: There were no corrections. BUSINESS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES: - Veitch reported that the SPACED event had been held, but the Union has not yet presented an invoice for the food, for which the AIP will pay when the invoice is available. - Veitch explained the status of David Ridout's request for student travel support. The conferences which he is to attend do not have poster sessions, although he is to give a talk at UNAN in Mexico City. It was decided that the AIP should follow its published rules, which require the student to give a presentation at the conference. Hence David's request was rejected. - The AIP/RACI meeting is to go ahead, but we need to clarify the subsidy per person. Veitch is to ask Brunger to ask Joe Shapter what this is. The concensus was that up to $15 is not a problem. - Veitch reported that the WIP lecturer has been chosen. He has asked that the talk be on the first Thursday of National Science week. (The second week is not desirable as it coincides with the Olympics.) He has received an indication that there is a good chance of getting the preferred date. - Veitch reported that Christine Charles can give a talk on Thursday 29th. July (prior to an arrangement to talk to the Mars Society). The topic is "From aurora to Mars.....the newest space plasma engine". This raised some concern from Quinton, who had contacted Joe Wolfe about giving a talk in late July. (By email, Bouwknegt had earlier raised concern that the subject was too close to the talk by Rod Boswell in Dec. 2002.) - Quinton added that Joe Wolfe's timing is restricted by his desire to talk at the conservatorium. - Veitch noted that there is a problem in holding a public lecture this year. Christine Charles' lecture should not be a public lecture, as it would encroach on the audience for the Mars Society talk. - Veitch said that he had agreed to Christine Charles giving the talk. The AIP will pay for a night's accomodation and a contribution towards her airfare. - Campbell reported that Michael Bromley will visit Adelaide later in the year, but that Michael will not know the dates before July. - Veitch summarised the list of meetings planned: June 21st. Joint AIP/RACI July 29th. Christine Charles Aug. 12th. WIP (which will be a Public Lecture and is to include presentation of the Bragg medal and certificates). Sept. Michael Bromley? October AIP/ASSA - Veitch informed Cockshell that the WIP lecturer should be able to do a school function on the Friday after the AIP talk. He said that this year he intends to press for a suitable abstract. Cockshell agreed to the Bronze Bragg presentation being made at the WIP lecture. - Quinton raised the issue of Joe Wolfe's talk. He reported that he had handed all information on to Drake, but doesn't know what Drake has done on the issue. Veitch is to email Drake to ask where we are. Quinton is concerned because of the effort made to get Joe Wolfe to come in late July. - Veitch said he had not raised with Cliff Rothenberg the issue of SSABSA informing students of the Bronze Bragg awards. CHAIR'S REPORT: - Veitch said he has been helping Drake with speakers and investigating the Oliphant Science awards. He reported that the minimum cost is $500, for which the AIP would not get to make a presentation. Cockshell clarified that there can still be a named AIP prize, but that it just goes in the booklet, and the prize is not handed over at the ceremony. - There was some discussion of the value of the award and the consequences of not making it. Veitch suggested that the return was not worth 10% of our budget. There was concensus that the return does not justify the cost. TABLED DOCUMENTS: - Campbell handed over a CD-ROM and other material, sent by the Victorian branch education committee, to Cockshell. Quinton said that he would like to see the CD sometime. Veitch suggested that the education subcommittee should investigate the contents of the CD. TREASURER'S REPORT: - Quinton said there was not much to report. He had written three cheques, covering dinner, pizza and medals for the Student Night. The balance is $10244.92. - Veitch requested that Quinton email copies of the report to himself and Campbell. - It was decided not to sponsor the Oliphant Awards. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS: EDUCATION: - Cockshell reported that the subcommittee has not met. - She reported a phone call asking for AIP support for someone wishing to organise tours of industry sites for Physics teachers. She had replied that the AIP might be willing to sponsor. It was not clear what assistance is required. She wants to discuss the issue with Samardzic. Quinton said that he would like to attend such tours. Cockshell suggested the October holidays as a suitable time. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS: SCIENCE POLICY: - Veitch reported that there has not been a meeting, as there has been no action from the national convenor. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS: MEETINGS: - Campbell suggested Andre Phillips as a possible speaker for the joint AIP/ASSA meeting, but said he needed to clarify the budget limit for this as Andre is based in Coonabarrabran and so the airfare would be large. Veitch suggested that $400 would be reasonable (as the AIP's half contribution) and asked Campbell to get an estimate for the airfare. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS: AWARDS: - Veitch noted that there has been no announcement about the Gold Bragg. Campbell reported that last year an email had been sent to heads of departments without a copy going to state branches. Veitch suggested that the National branch should be told that this is not appropriate, but Campbell replied that they had recognised this at the time last year. - Veitch noted that there were two good talks at the Student Night, and that it was attended by 30-40 people. ANY OTHER BUSINESS: - Quinton said that in New South Wales the Student Night is a big deal, with a prestigious award for the best out of 4-5 20-minute talks. Every student speaker is given an award, with the winner getting a substantial prize (such as $250), and that the prize is such that it would be included on a resume. He suggested a similar system here would solve the problem with the UniSA. Veitch suggested that the problem at the UniSA is the lack of students. He noted that more than two speakers would be needed so that a prize could be awarded. Quinton said that it is important that academic staff make it a big deal, and that in NSW the postgrads. give talks to departments to qualify for the Student Night. Campbell suggested that it would be difficult to choose a winner, but Veitch thought that an emeritus person could do it. - The poor turnout at the Student Night was discussed. Veitch suggested having it earlier in the evening, with food in the middle. - Quinton asked about the situation with the Public Schools' Club. Veitch replied that it is with the minister. He reported that John Carver (Head of Dept. at Adelaide) has expressed interest in the matter and Veitch is to give him the information about it tomorrow. He thinks John Carver recognises it for what it is. Quinton suggested that it go though the 3 heads of departments. Campbell suggested that this is not appropriate for the UniSA, where Physics is in a Dept. of Electrical and Electronic Engineering. Veitch said he would suggest the idea to John Carver. - Veitch said that we will need to confirm the subsidy for the joint AIP/RACI meeting and to make this decision by email, reiterating that $15/head is OK. - Cockshell reported the date of the Space School as 14-16 July. NEXT MEETING: To be held at 6pm on Wednesday July 7th in room 201 in the Physics Building at the University of Adelaide. The meeting finished about 7:20pm. Laurence Campbell 19-5-04