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<p>Hi everyone, <br>
</p>
<p>Hoping that this note finds you and your loved ones well and
safe, despite whatever inclement weather your region has chosen to
throw at you. As we ease into the holiday season, I'd like to
round off the year with a quick update on our activities, and
position us into the start of the new year. <br>
</p>
<h3>linux.conf.au 22nd-26th January, Sydney</h3>
<p>It will be awesome. If you haven't got your ticket already, and
you're planning to, please do - ticket sales have been strong and
we don't want you to miss out. Auckland 2015 sold out, Geelong
2016 sold out, Hobart 2017 sold out, Sydney will likely sell out.
Yes, because it will be awesome. The <a moz-do-not-send="true"
href="https://rego.linux.conf.au/schedule/main/">schedule</a> is
looking mighty fine, and Bruce, James and the team have pulled in
some high calibre keynotes indeed - including Karen Sandler,
Jessie Frazelle and Matthew Todd. Big ups too to event sponsors
IBM (Penguin Sponsor), Sol1 (Adelie Sponsor), and Discourse (Fairy
Penguin Sponsor). If your company hearts Linux as much as we do,
then please do consider sponsoring - <a class="moz-txt-link-abbreviated" href="mailto:sponsorship@lca2018.org">sponsorship@lca2018.org</a>. <br>
</p>
<p>Follow along on the Twitters @linuxconfau / #lca2018 or on the
Book of Face at <br>
</p>
<h3>DrupalSouth Auckland 2017 wraps up</h3>
<p>Also in line for big ups are Nicole Kirsch, Pamela Clifford, Dave
Sparks and the team led by Sparks Interactive, who delivered
another excellent DrupalSouth recently in Auckland. If you'd like
a recap, check out the <a moz-do-not-send="true"
href="https://storify.com/linuxaustralia/drupalsouth-auckland-2017">Storify</a>
I made (yeah, I know, proprietary platform aggregating proprietary
other platforms...)</p>
<h3>Rebranding</h3>
<p>We've almost finished rebranding work, very ably undertaken by
Toby Ansell. We just have some Brand Guidelines to finalise, then
we'll share with everyone. Yes, we've chosen what colour the bike
shed will be. <br>
</p>
<h3>Elections</h3>
<p>Are you awesome? Know someone who is? It's Australia, so we like,
need new leaders every five minutes or so, so now's your
opportunity to put up your hand to help lead Linux Australia. You
don't even need to be a British Citizen, or a Kiwi. Wait, no, the
other thing. I jest. But in all seriousness, our organisation is
awesome because of the awesome things that awesome people do. Put
up your hand to be awesome, make new professional connections, get
bossed around by the Pres - ^H^H^H enjoy growing your leadership
skills, and above all, move open source in Australia forward. <br>
</p>
<p><a class="moz-txt-link-freetext" href="https://linux.org.au/membership/index.php?page=view-election&id=24">https://linux.org.au/membership/index.php?page=view-election&id=24</a>
<br>
</p>
<h3>AGM and call for Agenda Items</h3>
<p>Our AGM will be held at linux.conf.au in Sydney and a Call for
Agenda Items will go out shortly. <br>
</p>
<h3>Annual report and office bearer's reports</h3>
<p>Our Auditors are currently auditing our accounts for the
financial year just gone, and these will be presented as part of
the AGM in Sydney. We will be delivering our Office Bearer's
reports in Annual Report form. Oooh shiny!</p>
<h3>Grants Programme</h3>
<p>We'll shortly be requesting updates from all Grant Recipients
regarding their grant progress, and we'll include these in our
annual report. <br>
</p>
<p><br>
</p>
<p>On a parting note, will 2018 be the Year of Linux on the Desktop?</p>
<p><a class="moz-txt-link-freetext" href="https://www.techrepublic.com/article/2018-the-year-of-the-open-source-desktop-browser-and-office-suite/">https://www.techrepublic.com/article/2018-the-year-of-the-open-source-desktop-browser-and-office-suite/</a></p>
<p>Have a great holiday season, a great new year, and see you all in
Sydney!</p>
<p>Kind regards, <br>
</p>
<p>Kathy<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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