AUSTAFE NATIONAL CONFERENCE

From: National AUSTAFE President – Belinda McPherson

Date: 15th November 2019

Re: Dissolution of AUSTAFE Inc.

Today AUSTAFE National Executive committee met in Queensland to discuss the future of AUSTAFE National.
After much discussion, a motion was moved and accepted by all to dissolve AUSTAFE National and transfer all National activity and funds to AUSTAFE Queensland.
This has not been an easy decision and one that the Executive have struggled with for some years. The ongoing situation with TAFE across Australia has been challenging for AUSTAFE members and has seen a reluctance of institutions and administrative bodies to allow members to attend conferences and events and a decrease in support for travel to AUSTAFE events.

While TAFE Queensland has experienced similar difficulties in participating in National AUSTAFE events, the Queensland Chapter of AUSTAFE remains strong, conducts many State based activities and events and has a large active membership.
Queensland AUSTAFE retains the largest membership in AUSTAFE National and it is appropriate that the National body dissolve remaining finances to this chapter.

Under part 7, section 1, paragraph (a) of the AUSTAFE constitution 2003, it states;
“… the National Executive shall defer action for twenty eight (28 days) after which, unless it has received a petition for a General Meeting at which a Special Resolution is proposed to rescind the motion of dissolution it shall proceed forthwith or at such other time as determined by the National Executive to realise the property of AUSTAFE Inc. and to discharge all of its liabilities”.

The effective first day of the 28 day period is the 15th November with a conclusion date of the 12th December 2019.

I can be contacted at belinda.mcpherson@tafesa.edu.au

Yours sincerely

Belinda McPherson
National AUSTAFE President

BACKGROUND

AUSTAFE is a national network of Technical and Further Education (TAFE) professionals. Its main focus is on promoting partnerships with all vocational education and training (VET) stakeholders, providing a forum for exchange of views in relation to VET and promoting professional development opportunities for its members.

The major professional development activity for AUSTAFE Chapters and Branches across Australia is the annual National Conference.

The National Conference is hosted on a rotational basis by State and Territory AUSTAFE Chapters or Branches and aims to bring together members, affiliates and interested parties to network and discuss the latest trends, activities, policies and reforms within the Australian Vocational sector.

The 2017 National Conference was hosted by the Qld Chapter of AUSTAFE on the 11th, 12th and 13th October 2017 at TAFE Queensland Brisbane - South Bank Campus.

This was a fantastic conference with highly relevant and current VET issue topics presented by fantastic speakers.

The 2018 AUSTAFE National Conference is being replaced with the NSW and National AUSTAFE Awards Luncheon.
In combination with the National AUSTAFE Executive, TLN will be hosting the NSW and National AUSTAFE Awards ceremony at a luncheon on Friday 19th October 2018.
The Key Note Speaker at the luncheon will be former Victorian Police Commissioner Christine Nixon, will be the guest speaker at the Awards Luncheon.
The AUSTAFE National AGM will be conducted on the same day following the luncheon.

For direct information please e-mail Stephen Ryan at Stephen.Ryan@tafensw.edu.au