A message from the Chair, Frank Howarth

ICOM General Conference, Shanghai
November’s ICOM General Conference in Shanghai, China is shaping up as a great event, and I hope to see as many ICOM Australia members there as possible. In order to help us make contact with the Australian contingent during the event, it would be greatly appreciated if those ICOM Australia members who are planning to go to Shanghai could email the ICOM Australia National Secretary Scott Mitchell on scott.mitchell@austmus.gov.au in the next couple of weeks.

Travel bursaries
ICOM Australia is offering two bursaries for ICOM Australia members to travel to the Shanghai General Conference in 2010. While we have just made a bursary offer to one applicant (details to be announced shortly), a second bursary of $2,000 for travel to the Shanghai conference is still available. A revised closing date of 31 July has been set for this bursary. Please see the ICOM Australia website for details.

Other news
The ICOM Australia Executive is currently considering a range of issues relevant to the Museum sector, one of  which is  the potential benefits or drawbacks of national anti-seizure legislation here in Australia. I look forward to speaking with you more about this topic in due course. Although we are in only the very earliest stages of considering this topic,  I invite any member with a strong view on the issue to get in touch with me or another Member of the ICOM Australia Executive to express your views.

With best wishes to all ICOM members,

Frank Howarth