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<p>Hi everyone,</p>
<p>First of all, we hope that this note finds you all safely back
into the swing of things after the summer break, and for those of
you who joined us at linux.conf.au in Sydney, we hope that you had
a pleasant journey home. Here's a first installment of our regular
communication for the year. <br>
</p>
<h4>linux.conf.au</h4>
<p>linux.conf.au 2018 Sydney - A little bit of history repeating -
was an outstanding success, due to the efforts of Bruce Crawley,
James Polley, their incredible team of organisers, a dedicated
volunteer crew, Speakers, Safety team, delegates and sponsors. A
special shout out to fabulous MC, Jack Skinner, for his engaging
and energetic flair.</p>
<p>We helped both OSI and LWN.net celebrate their 20th birthdays,
and heard engaging keynotes from Karen Sandler, Professor Matthew
Todd, Jess Frazelle and Hugh Blemings.</p>
<p> The videos by Next Day Video are all online and you can see them
at: <br>
</p>
<p><a class="moz-txt-link-freetext" href="https://www.youtube.com/user/linuxconfau2018">https://www.youtube.com/user/linuxconfau2018</a></p>
<p>and on the Linux Australia mirror at: <br>
</p>
<p><a class="moz-txt-link-freetext" href="http://mirror.linux.org.au/pub/linux.conf.au/2018/">http://mirror.linux.org.au/pub/linux.conf.au/2018/</a></p>
<p>We also raised over $AUD 9k for this year's Charity, Code Club
Australia, including dollar-for-dollar matching by Linux
Australia. <br>
</p>
<p><br>
</p>
<p>In 2019, linux.conf.au heads to the renewed City of Christchurch,
led ably by Steven Sykes and Lisa Sands. Sign up to stay updated.<br>
</p>
<p><a class="moz-txt-link-freetext" href="http://lca2019.linux.org.au/">http://lca2019.linux.org.au/</a></p>
<p>Calls for bids for linux.conf.au 2020 have closed and Council is
arranging site visits to the candidate locations. Antarctica!!!</p>
<p>Calls for bids for linux.conf.au 2021 will open around mid-year
this year. <br>
</p>
<p><br>
</p>
<p>If you have an idea for a talk you'd like to see, tweet it out at
#lcapapers<br>
<a class="moz-txt-link-freetext" href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23lcapapers&src=typd">https://twitter.com/search?q=%23lcapapers&src=typd</a><br>
</p>
<h4>Linux Australia AGM, elections and new Council</h4>
<p>During the AGM at linux.conf.au, our Annual Report was presented
and you can find it here: <br>
</p>
<p><a class="moz-txt-link-freetext" href="http://mirror.linux.org.au/pub/linux-aus/">http://mirror.linux.org.au/pub/linux-aus/</a></p>
<p>During the AGM we also unveiled our new Brand, logo and
associated brand assets, with thanks to graphic designer Toby
Ansell. These will gradually be rolled out to all of our digital
and other media properties during 2018.</p>
<p>At the AGM, election results were announced. Due to there being
fewer nominations than vacancies for the OCM position, nominations
were called from the floor at the AGM, and using a ballot process,
Cherie Ellis was elected to this vacancy. <br>
</p>
<p>Please make the new Council welcome; <br>
</p>
<ul>
<li>Kathy Reid - President (returning)</li>
<li>Cameron Tudball - Vice President (returning)</li>
<li>Sae Ra Germaine - Secretary (returning)</li>
<li>Russell Stuart - Treasurer (returning)</li>
<li>Hugh Blemings - OCM (returning)</li>
<li>James Polley - OCM (newly elected 2018, previous Council
Member)</li>
<li>Cherie Ellis - OCM (newly elected 2018, previous Council
Member)<br>
</li>
</ul>
<p>I also thank outgoing Council members, David Bell and Josh
Stewart, for their dedicated and professional service. <br>
</p>
<p>You can reach the Council at <a class="moz-txt-link-abbreviated" href="mailto:council@linux.org.au">council@linux.org.au</a> with feedback,
suggestions, concerns and compliments. <br>
</p>
<p>During the AGM, the vote to change the name of Linux Australia
Inc to Open Australia Inc. was defeated 62-48. Therefore no
Special Resolution to change the organisation's name was moved. <br>
</p>
<p>Thanks especially to Jon Oxer for acting as the Returning Officer
for the election.<br>
</p>
<h4>Discussions with OSIA</h4>
<p>Prior to the AGM several discussions were held on list about the
possible impact of the proposed name change to OSIA, especially in
light of the issues OSIA has encountered regarding its ongoing
operations. During linux.conf.au, several members of the Council
attended the OSIA Special General Meeting in observer capacity,
where discussions were held on ways in which OSIA and LA can
partner, and possible avenues should OSIA no longer be a viable
independent entity. I thank Jack Burton and Ronald Skeoch and the
broader OSIA community for this opportunity. <br>
</p>
<p>OSIA have much to work through over the next few months to arrive
at key decisions about their future; we wish OSIA well in whatever
outcome their members determine is appropriate for the
organisation.</p>
<h4>Grants Program</h4>
<p>We're going to run our Grants Program again this year, but want
to tweak the review process and criteria slightly. Stay tuned for
more.<br>
</p>
<h4>Pycon AU 2018, Sydney, call out for team members</h4>
<p>Pycon AU heads to Sydney in late August, and they're on the
lookout for awesome. Are you awesome? Want to gain additional
awesomeness skills?</p>
<p>Reach out at <a class="moz-txt-link-freetext" href="http://2018.pycon-au.org/">http://2018.pycon-au.org/</a><br>
</p>
<h4>WordCamp Sydney 2018<br>
</h4>
<p>WordCamp Sydney is in the early planning stages. Stay tuned at :</p>
<p><a class="moz-txt-link-freetext" href="https://2018.sydney.wordcamp.org/">https://2018.sydney.wordcamp.org/</a><br>
</p>
<h4>Do you know of an open source alternative to Storify? <br>
</h4>
<p>We've been using Storify to capture highlights from Linux
Australia events. <br>
</p>
<p><a class="moz-txt-link-freetext" href="https://storify.com/linuxaustralia">https://storify.com/linuxaustralia</a></p>
<p>Storify is shutting down - know of any good open source
alternatives?</p>
<p><br>
</p>
<p>That's it for now, as always your comments and questions are
warmly welcomed.</p>
<p>Kind regards,</p>
<p>Kathy<br>
</p>
<p><br>
</p>
<pre class="moz-signature" cols="72">--
Kathy Reid
President
Linux Australia
0418 130 636
<a class="moz-txt-link-abbreviated" href="mailto:president@linux.org.au">president@linux.org.au</a>
<a class="moz-txt-link-freetext" href="http://linux.org.au">http://linux.org.au</a>
Linux Australia Inc
GPO Box 4788
Sydney NSW 2001
Australia
ABN 56 987 117 479 </pre>
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