Australian Computer SocietyThe ACS Council holds two National Council meetings a year. This is the peak body of the society, made up of Branch representtvies from each state, national officie holders, Direcotrs of national boards and our CEO. We decided to hold the meeting in Darwin to look at faiclities for SEARCC '98 - the South East Asian Regional Computer Confederation 1998 Conference, to be hosted by the ACS in Darwin and to get beyond the confines of the Australian eastern seabaord.
While in Darwin I took the opportunity to meet collogues and clients people at the Australian Defence Force's Headquaters Northern Command (HQNORCOM).
This was the last of four Councils for me to chair, as President of the ACS. Chairing a meeting of two dozen of the country's top IT people, addressing issues of importance to the profession and th nation is a daunting prospect. In the heat of arguement I have to occasionally tell eminent and important people to sit down and shut up.
As is now routine (I have been doing it since 1995), I sent out a request for suggestions as to what to see for a high technology tourist in Darwin. The result was enough to occupy several months, not the few hours I had spare.
The last item on the invitation stated "6:20pm - End of Talking, discussion/violence to follow in an informal setting. Top floor of the commercial building at NTU (above the student bar)". I didn't know quite what to expect and nor did they.
It took a little time to realise that what is above the stuent bar is another bar and that was the venue. This has a balcony jutting out several tories above the NTU campus with a spectaluar view of Darwin.
The first talk by Barbara Tuck
Essentially the problem Barbara put was that the ACS BOK was based on the
needs of computer science and didn't allow for the other needs of
information science and business orentated IT.
Hopefully these concerns have been allyed in the final BOK which
was adopted by the Council the following day. This was intended to
accommodates IT courses ranging from "straight" computer science to
business/accountancy orientated courses (and a range in between). If not
we can change it later.
Bob Pascoe
The reply was that the funding was not available to start this up. I
am sure everyone thought I was joking when I asked how much they needed and
I would ask the NT Chief Minister the next day.
As well as the stimulaintg conversation the pizza supplied by AUUGnt was
excellent and it was a fun way to spend an evening.
We discussed Information Industries generally, the NT's new Ministry for it,
and support for
SEARCC '98.
I raised the idea of NTU obtaining some startup funding
for IT on-line distance education, as I had promised
at NTU. As Mr. Stone is also the Minister for Education and Training,
this appeared to have some appeal.
There would appear to be considerable potential for courses at NTU for the
NT's dispersed population, for Defence personnel posted to the NT and for
full fee paying students in the region. At drinks that evening Mr
Adamson mentioned he had a brief discussion on it with the
Vice-Chancellor that afternoon.
For those who have not experienced an event of this sort, it is
difficult to explain the amount of effort involved.
Earlier in the day I had a quick tour of the Building and noted the
LAN connection (Token Ring) for each member at their desk in the Chamber.
The building is a little overpowering from the outside, but comfortably
restrained (at least compared to the national parliment building in
Canberra).
NT Minister for Communications and Advanced Technology -
Friday
The ACS NT Branch had arranged a meeting with the
Chief Minister of the NT, the Hon Shane Stone MLA at Parliment House.
However, Mr. Stone as off sick and we had a productive meeting with
the NT Minister for
Communications and Advanced Technology, Mr Peter
Adamson (who is also the Minister for Education and Training).ACS Council - Friday & Saturday
There were many items on the agenda and ended up meeting from 1:30pm
to 10pm Friday, (with breaks for lunch and an evening reception at
parliament house), then 8:30am to 7:15pm Saturday (with a break for a
bus trip to
SEARCC98 facilities around Darwin).Welcome Reception at parliament house - Friday Night
The Chief Minister invited Darwin IT luminaries to a reception for the
ACS Natioal Council in the "Strangers Lounge" of Parliment House.Speech and recption by NT Minister for
Communications and Advanced Technology
The NT Government invited Members of the National Council of the ACS to a reception at Parliment House. The Chief Minister was unwell and the reception and speech was made by the Hon. Peter Adamson MLA, Minister for Communications and Advanced Technology.
Conclusion
See also