Australian Institute of Physics - SA branch Minutes of the meeting held at 6pm on 7th July 2004 in room 201, Physics Building at the University of Adelaide. Present: Brunger, Campbell, Veitch and Quinton. Apologies: Shiell, Blankleider, Samardzic and Bouwknegt. Minutes of Last Meeting: It was noted that Prof. John Carver is Head of School, not Head of Department. The minutes were then accepted "nem com". Business arising from the minutes: Veitch reported that, after asking for a reply that had not appeared, he has received a letter from the minister to the effect that the Public Schools' Club has been provisionally placed on the heritage register. However, the AIP is required to make a submission to the inquiry by July 18th., to say why the residence was important to Bragg's life and work. Veitch emailed the AIP president to suggest that John Jenkins might like to write this, but received no reply, so now is attempting to get help from the national secretary to contact John Jenkins directly. Campbell asked about the jobs page and the requests he keeps getting about it. Veitch said there is now a national web page, but he still has some things to be put up on the state page for completeness. Campbell is to change the SA jobs link so that it points to the national page. Chair's report: Veitch's report addressed: - The Public Schools' Club, which was discussed earlier. - The International Year of Physics. We need to do something for this. The vice-president in Melbourne is doing a lot and there are things on the national web page. - Veitch has been organising talks in the absence of Drake: - 29th. July, Christine Charles. Veitch has booked the Kerr Grant and accomodation. We will have a dinner at Caffe Buongiorno beforehand and a supper afterwards. Veitch is to order one supper platter, and Campbell is to bring drinks. - Thursday 12th. August, WIP talk by Nanda Das Gupta. Veitch has booked the accomodation. The talk is to be in Union Hall. Veitch is to contact National Science Week about publicity. WIP have agreed that the Bronze Bragg awards should be given out, as well as the Claire Corani awards. Veitch suggested two supper platters afterwards. Veitch is to enquire about the Claire Corani award at Adelaide. The UniSA Claire Corani nomination has the surname Rosenberg. Flinders also have a nomination. - Wed. Oct. 6th, Joint AIP/ASSA. (Campbell confirmed that he had approached Andre Phillips about being the speaker. Andre is contemplating it.) - Veitch noted that we have not heard from Michael Bromley. (Brunger is to contact Michael Bromley and ask about when he can come, and suggest that the best time for the branch is in either the first two weeks of September, or late October/early November). - Veitch replied that he will present the Gold Bragg award, in response to a question from Quinton. (Quinton thought that Ellerman might be presenting both this and Prof. Prescott's service award, in which case it would be sensible to combine the two.) Veitch agreed that it is a possibility to present Prof. Prescott's award at Bromley's talk. - The date for the Careers' Night and the Quiz cannot be determined due to the absence of members of the Education subcommittee. Oliphant Awards: Veitch reported sending an email offering $250, and has now received a letter offering conditions for awards less than $500: - the organiser must select the prizewinner on 21st. August, - the prize is to be awarded in the foyer, not at the presentation, and - the full range of benefits is not available. Veitch suggested that we try it and see how it works. There was consensus for this. SCIENCE MEETS PARLIAMENT: This has been posponed, due to the possibility of an election campaign. TABLED DOCUMENTS: Veitch tabled: - Flyers for the AIP national conference. - A National Science Week brochure. Veitch noted that he has received but is yet to respond to an email from the SA person for NSWeek. He will respond to seek publicity for the WIP talk. TREASURERS' REPORT: Quinton reported that not much has happened. The RACI/AIP joint meeting sponsorship cost $30, and the current balance is $10214. (Veitch suggested that we perservere with the joint meeting with the RACI, putting forward for next time the idea of a joint presentation by Michael Bruce and Veitch (or his student) on spectroscopy of excited states and optical limiters.) Quinton agreed to a request by Brunger to put the $250 for the Oliphant on a committments line in the budget, noting that it is not in the pro forma of the national branch. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS: SCIENCE POLICY: - the Science Policy subcommittee has had no meeting as Bouwknegt and Samardzic have been away. AWARDS: - Veitch reported that Blankleider is aware of the need for Bronze Bragg medals and certificates on August 12th. - Campbell asked about the deadline for the Gold Bragg, being fairly sure that he sent notice about this to Flinders and the UniSA at the time of the email sent to departments by the national branch. He had assumed that Veitch would follow this up with Adelaide Uni. Veitch displayed the letter about all the current awards, and gave the deadline for Gold Bragg submissions as the end of July. Brunger undertook to look if there are suitable candidates at Flinders. Quinton offered to be on the state selection committee. EDUCATION: - could not be discussed due to the absence of members of the subcommittee. ANY OTHER BUSINESS: Quinton asked about the situation with Joe Wolfe, as to whether he has been contacted. Veitch said that he has not been contacted. Quinton is to contact him again, let him kown what has happened, and ask about the first half of next year. It was resolved that the closing date for applications for Student Travel grants for the National Congress should be 1st November. Campbell is to put this in the next newsletter. DATE of NEXT MEETING: This was set for Wednesday August 25th. 2004. The meeting finished at 18:51. Laurence Campbell, 8-7-04