From the committee
By Carolyn Page AE
The Editors NSW committee met on 12 August 2025 via Zoom, with 3 members unable to attend. Russell Noakes chaired the meeting. Minutes of the June 2025 committee meeting were agreed, noting that minor changes had been suggested and accepted. The agenda was confirmed and actions from previous meetings were reviewed and dealt with.
As discussed in previous meetings, there has been some interest from new members in taking on support roles that could offer them greater involvement in the work of the branch and its committee. Committee members discussed roles – including the organisation of events and presentations, and support for Zoom meetings – that might benefit from additional resourcing. As Russell Noakes summarised, sharing these roles is “a really good opportunity to learn a little bit about the key business that we are doing, because it’s where the most work gets done”.
In related discussion, committee members welcomed moves by the Standing Committee on Professional Development (SCPD) towards greater centralisation of workshops and professional development. This shift might also mean that new members in volunteer roles could contribute to IPEd more widely “under the events umbrella”.
To allow more time for organisation, a planned presentation by Emmanuelle Botté will be moved from September to October. Presentation topics canvassed in previous meetings will be followed up, with the year’s final presentation to be scheduled for November. Committee members reported on a presentation by Jennifer Rowland AE at the IPEd Conference in Adelaide and on other recent successful networking events held by Editors NSW.
Committee members noted the interest that had been shown by students attending the conference and suggested other opportunities that could be used to promote membership, such as writers’ festivals, university open days and orientation events, and liaison with graduate researchers and university graduate research offices. Members were asked to come to the next meeting with more ideas and with information about what other state branches are doing.
Branch finances were discussed, as the new financial year gets underway.
The next meeting is scheduled for 14 October 2025.
2025 ABM and Editors NSW committee elections
By Marita Smith, secretary, Editors NSW
It’s that time of year again, when we invite Editors NSW members to attend our annual branch meeting (ABM) and consider joining the branch committee. Being a member of your branch committee offers a great opportunity to gain useful skills and knowledge that can enhance your career as an editor. It’s also a wonderful way to network and meet other IPEd members.
Editors NSW members have been emailed a full list of committee positions, with a brief outline of what each entails, along with a nomination form. All roles are performed remotely, and committee meetings are held online, so you can join us no matter where you are. We currently hold 6 committee meetings a year, and the term of office is one year. Financial voting (Professional and Honorary Life) members of Editors NSW can nominate directly for election to the branch committee. However, committee members do not necessarily have to be experienced editors. If you are a non-voting (Associate, Student or Organisational) member, we’d love to hear from you too. You can be formally invited to join the committee after the election has been held if there are still places available.
While most of the current committee members are nominating for re-election, we are particularly seeking a president, a vice president, and a Sydney-based member to help coordinate 2 annual dinners. There may be scope to share positions on the committee, including the office of branch president. If you are interested in joining us, please complete the form and email it to the returning officer Julie Ganner at jganner@bigpond.net.au by close of business on Tuesday 14 October.
The ABM will be held online at 6 pm (AEDT) on Tuesday 11 November.
All branch members are invited to attend. The new committee will be announced at the ABM. The ABM is an opportunity for you to hear what your committee members have been doing for you over the past year and thank them for all their hard work. We hope you will take the time to come along and support them.
Bookings for the ABM will open shortly and close on Sunday 9 November.