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Hi everyone, <br>
<p>Hoping that everyone who was able to join us for linux.conf.au
2017 in Hobart had safe and pleasant journeys home, and again a
huge thank you to Chris and the #lca2017 team, Speakers,
volunteers and delegates for another exciting, mind-stretching
LCA. For those who weren't able to join us, you might have missed
out on the news that the Rusty Wrench [0] this year was jointly
awarded to 'The Michaels' - Michael Davies and Michael Still - for
their outstanding contribution to our community through their
leadership of the LCA Papers Committee. <br>
</p>
<p>Speaking of which, the Papers Committee would love to hear your
thoughts and suggestions on the topics that you'd like to see next
year - tag them on Twitter with #lcapapers [1] or email <a
href="papers-chair@linux.org.au">papers-chair@linux.org.au</a>.
</p>
<p>Next year, linux.conf.au 2018 heads to Sydney's centrally-located
UTS Ultimo campus with the theme of 'It's a bit of history
repeating', and we're super excited to see what Bruce Crawley,
James Polley and the team will deliver after memorable events
there in 2001 and 2007. They're on the lookout for some team
members, so check out their site at [2]. <br>
</p>
<p>We're currently evaluating LCA2019 bids, and I'd especially like
to thank Hugh Blemings and Josh Stewart for their efforts, and the
as-yet-unnamed LCA2019 bid teams in this regard. <br>
</p>
<h4>Other event news<br>
</h4>
<p>In other Linux Australia events news, we're delighted to report
that DrupalGov is happening again this year in Canberra on March
27th, and big thanks to Si Hobbs, Rosie Gooch and the team for
their excellent work to date [3]. <br>
</p>
<p>It's likely that Joomla Day will run in Sydney in June, under the
leadership of Tim Plummer. Expect to hear more on this in due
course [4].</p>
<p>PyconAU this year remains in Melbourne, running August 3-8 under
the leadership of Richard Jones, and we're again excited for
another hallmark event. The Call for Special Events is now open
[5].</p>
<p>DrupalSouth is heading to Wellington late this year, and we'll
bring you more updates as they unfold. <br>
</p>
<p>We're currently in discussions with members of the WordCamp and
WordPress community around how we can continue to work together,
and again we'll keep you informed. <br>
</p>
<p>We haven't yet received bids for Open Source Developers'
Conference this year, and would warmly welcome bids for this
event.</p>
<p>If you have ideas for other events which fit within Linux
Australia's values [6] then you can get more info at [7].</p>
<h4>Welcome to our new Council for 2017</h4>
<p>Firstly, we'd like to take the opportunity to thank the outgoing
Council of 2016 for their efforts. Serving on Council, while
ultimately rewarding, is a significant volunteer responsibility -
and we appreciate the efforts of all our 2016 Council: <br>
</p>
<ul>
<li>Tony Breeds - Treasurer</li>
<li>Katie McLaughlin - Ordinary Committee Member</li>
<li>Craige McWhirter - Ordinary Committee Member</li>
<li>Cherie Ellis - Ordinary Committee Member<br>
</li>
</ul>
<p>We're delighted that Sae Ra, Hugh and Kathy are returning for
2017. <br>
</p>
<p>Please join us in welcoming our new Council for 2017, as per the
recent election [8]. <br>
</p>
<ul>
<li>President - Kathy Reid (Vice Pres 2016, Secretary 2013-2014,
newly elected to this role)<br>
</li>
<li>Vice President - Cameron Tudball (newly elected)<br>
</li>
<li>Secretary - Sae Ra Germaine (returning to this role from 2016
and 2015)</li>
<li>Treasurer - Russell Stuart (newly elected)</li>
<li>OCM - Hugh Blemings (President 2016, newly elected to this
role)</li>
<li>OCM - David Bell (newly elected)</li>
<li>OCM - Josh Stewart (Vice President 2015, OCM 2013-2014, newly
elected to this role)</li>
</ul>
<p>On a personal note, I'm delighted to be working with such a
diverse, experienced and multi-talented team as we embark on our
ambitious agenda to strengthen Linux Australia's foundation
platforms, and position ourselves to evolve over the coming years.
<br>
</p>
<p>To this end, our first Council meeting of the year will be face
to face, held in Melbourne 4th-5th February. We have a strong
agenda, and aim to get through many issues, including next steps
for our Membership platform, budgetary adjustments given our
strong profit in 2015-2016, reviewing event budgets, as well as
some transitional administrivia. We look forward to keeping you
informed of the outcomes. <br>
</p>
<p>You can contact Council at any time via <a
class="moz-txt-link-abbreviated"
href="mailto:council@linux.org.au">council@linux.org.au</a>, or
individual office bearers at <a class="moz-txt-link-abbreviated"
href="mailto:president@linux.org.au">president@linux.org.au</a>,
<a class="moz-txt-link-abbreviated"
href="mailto:vice-president@linux.org.au">vice-president@linux.org.au</a>,
<a class="moz-txt-link-abbreviated"
href="mailto:secretary@linux.org.au">secretary@linux.org.au</a>
or <a class="moz-txt-link-abbreviated"
href="mailto:treasurer@linux.org.au">treasurer@linux.org.au</a>.
<br>
</p>
<h4>Stakeholders and supporters<br>
</h4>
<p>Over the course of 2016, and at linux.conf.au, we were approached
by a number of organisations interested in partnering with Linux
Australia on a range of initiatives, campaigns and projects. These
groups included WordPress/WordCamp, Open Source Initiative,
Software Freedom Conservancy, NZ Open Source Society, Electronic
Frontiers Australia and Internet Australia. The stakeholder
framework that helps to articulate and prioritise our engagements
with key stakeholders is something that we'll be discussing at
Face to Face, however we expect to be collaborating on multiple
initiatives going forward. <br>
</p>
<p>Your feedback, suggestions and comments are as always warmly
welcomed, <br>
</p>
<p>Kind regards, <br>
</p>
<p>Kathy, Cameron, Sae Ra, Russell, David, Hugh and Josh<br>
</p>
<p><br>
</p>
<p>[0] <a class="moz-txt-link-freetext"
href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linux_Australia#The_Rusty_Wrench_award">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linux_Australia#The_Rusty_Wrench_award</a></p>
<p>[1] <a class="moz-txt-link-freetext"
href="https://twitter.com/search?f=tweets&vertical=default&q=%23lcapapers&src=typd">https://twitter.com/search?f=tweets&vertical=default&q=%23lcapapers&src=typd</a></p>
<p>[2] <a class="moz-txt-link-freetext"
href="https://lca2018.org/#/home">https://lca2018.org/#/home</a></p>
<p>[3] <a class="moz-txt-link-freetext"
href="http://drupalgov.org/events/drupalgov-canberra-2017">http://drupalgov.org/events/drupalgov-canberra-2017</a></p>
<p>[4] <a class="moz-txt-link-freetext"
href="http://joomladay.org.au/">http://joomladay.org.au/</a>
(website will be updated once LA Council approves event team and
budget)</p>
<p>[5] <a class="moz-txt-link-freetext"
href="http://2017.pycon-au.org/">http://2017.pycon-au.org/</a></p>
<p>[6] <a class="moz-txt-link-freetext"
href="https://linux.org.au/values">https://linux.org.au/values</a></p>
<p>[7] <a class="moz-txt-link-freetext"
href="https://linux.org.au/linux-australia-event-support">https://linux.org.au/linux-australia-event-support</a><br>
</p>
<p>[8]
<a class="moz-txt-link-freetext"
href="https://www.linux.org.au/membership/index.php?page=view-election&id=23">https://www.linux.org.au/membership/index.php?page=view-election&id=23</a>
<br>
</p>
<br>
<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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