Has it all really happened that fast?
 
It seems like only an instant since I contemplated nominating for this role that I am now starting to write my first e-News.
 
So far, I have attended the February Council meeting and subsequent annual dinner, attended a President’s breakfast, and spoken briefly at the Design and Built Environment Council’s networking evening outlining our plans for the coming year.
 
The positive thing is that I feel like I have a lot to learn about initiatives which the Institute has been pursuing already. The current chapter council has been active and David has been a very effective and dynamic leader. I want to thank David and the outgoing council members for handing over a strong organisation with good profile and ongoing activities. Our office team headed by Nicolette is stable and productive and at a national level, recent restructure should see more effective commercial control, and allow for better strategic direction.
 
If you reflect on the past decade of our industry in South Australia, it also has changed very fast.
 
Our skyline is radically different and our laneways and hospitality culture far more vibrant. We have seen significant urban renewal projects come to fruition, a regenerated North Terrace and oval precinct, and we’ve experienced 5000+, the creation of ODASA and the commencement of state-wide planning reform. All these things align with key Institute policies and all have included representation from our local chapter and work from our members.
 
Although a gaggle of architects will inevitably find common ground with tales of woe and fee compression, I’d like to start this term reflecting on the fact that a great number of good things have actually happened pretty quickly.
 
These successes bring more opportunities for representation, reform and member engagement. There is a great deal of activity ahead with plans to come in the next e-News, but for now…. a moment of positive reflection.