Editors NSW annual branch meeting 2025
by Carolyn Page AE and Elisabeth Thomas
The Editors New South Wales annual branch meeting (ABM) was held on Tuesday 11 November 2025 via Zoom, with 11 in attendance and no apologies. As the branch committee has operated for the past 12 months without a president, Budget Officer Russell Noakes chaired the meeting. The committee welcomed branch member attendee Denis Mitchell. Committee members noted that it would be good to see a greater number of members attending future ABMs to learn more about, and support, their branch and their committee’s work.
Reports summary
Reporting on branch presentations, Jennifer Rowland AE noted that there were 6 well-attended speaker events across 2024–25. She thanked her predecessor Dr Kai Jensen AE and committee colleagues Marita Smith AE and Justine Dixon Cooper AE for their assistance.
As NSW delegate to the Accreditation Board, Emily Halloran AE reported that 11 branch members sat for the 2024 accreditation exam. This exam had a 65.5% pass rate. Preparations are underway for the next exam in August 2026, which will include a component on editing for accessibility.
The branch’s news editor, Elisabeth Thomas, reported on the content Editors NSW had submitted to Gatherings. She thanked Kerry Anderson and Carolyn Page AE as the 2024–25 news writers: Carolyn, especially, for her ongoing work in reporting on professional development and committee meetings, as, regrettably, Kerry had to leave the committee early in the year. Appreciation also went to Marita, Justine and (past committee stalwart) Sally Asnicar, for their contributions, joining Carolyn and Elisabeth, in writing the 8 feature articles Editors NSW had published in Gatherings in 2024–25.
Networking Coordinator Ruth Power highlighted the successful July and December dinners and a number of much-enjoyed-by-attendees city and regional networking lunches. Members are reminded that it is easy to host a networking brunch/lunch so get in touch and meet your colleagues.
Budget Officer Russell Noakes gave an overview of the financial results for the 2024–25 financial year and presented the key elements of the 2025–26 branch budget. Russell noted that previously, when the ABM was held earlier in the year, the branch budget would have been presented to members before it came into effect. This year, while the ABM was being held in November, the 2025–26 budget had been in force since the start of the financial year.
Committee roles and vacancies
Returning officer Julie Ganner AE declared the election of Russell Noakes, Elisabeth Thomas, Marita Smith AE, Jennifer Rowland AE and Carolyn Page AE (IPEd voting members) to the new committee. Branch Secretary Marita Smith AE noted that insufficient nominations had been received to fill all vacant positions on the committee and called for any nominations from the floor from voting members – no nominations were received. Both Ruth Power and Keely Mewett (non-voting members) expressed interest in being reappointed to their current positions on the committee. These expressions of interest will be dealt with by the committee at its next meeting.
It was noted that committee membership includes 2 ex-officio positions, with full voting rights, whose terms are separate to the ABM: Justine Dixon Cooper AE (Director of IPEd appointed by Editors NSW) and Emily Halloran AE (NSW Delegate to the Accreditation Board).
In conclusion, the chair called for nominations for the branch committee’s vacant positions and advised that the next scheduled committee meeting would be in December 2025.
From the committee
By Elisabeth Thomas
Following the ABM on Tuesday 11 November 2025, the Editors NSW 2025–26 committee held a short meeting (with 7 attendees and 1 apology).
The new committee resolved, under by-law 10(c), to invite Ruth Power and Keely Mewett to join the committee, and they accepted their places on the committee. Although Ruth Power was an apology for the meeting, she communicated to the committee in advance that she would accept the position.
The committee now comprises:
- Russell Noakes – Budget Officer
- Elisabeth Thomas – News Editor
- Marita Smith AE – Secretary
- Jennifer Rowland AE – Presentations Coordinator
- Ruth Power – Networking Coordinator
- Keely Mewett – Professional Development Officer.
Ex-officio committee members (whose terms are separate from the ABM) are:
- Justine Dixon Cooper AE – IPEd Director (NSW)
- Emily Halloran AE – Accreditation Board Delegate (NSW).
These committee members (excluding ex officio) will continue to hold their positions until the election of the branch executive and the formal allocation of positions, under by-law 12(a). This will take place at the 9 December 2025 meeting.