Western Australian Institute for Educational Research President's Report 2003 Philip Paioff

The Western Australian Institute for Educational Research's executive has continued to review its operations in 2003. The focus of attention has shifted from the Institute's journal and significant effort has been invested in streamlining and promoting our annual Forum. Forum 2003 was held in August and proved to be a resounding success under the co-ordination of our entire committee and Jan Gray in particular. Jan's efforts in securing the venue, relevant technologies and rooming arrangements made for a smooth program. The publicity campaign conducted by Anthea Taylor and Eve Ruddock resulted in our best attendance for almost ten years. A thematic approach to paper presentation and strategic support for individual presenters led to an overwhelmingly positive response from participants. The program ran like clockwork and produced a good profit because of the attention to detail displayed by the organising committee. Thanks must go to executive member Roger Vallance for his role as the forum's IT specialist and photographer. Edith Cowan University (Mt Lawley Campus) must also be acknowledged for its ongoing support by allowing us to use its facilities during Forum 2003. I am pleased to state that the prominence of WAIER Forums has been re-affirmed by the level of positive feedback received.

Roger Atkinson (IIER Journal Business Manager) has worked tirelessly to refine the journal's operational framework and worked closely with Clare McBeath who has done and outstanding job editing and publishing the 2003 editions. Clare has also played and integral role in reformatting the journal's presentation, which proved to be both popular with readers and helped to reduce WAIER's expenses [IIER]. Special mention should also go to Roger Atkinson who has quietly gone about the business of promoting WAIER via our web page. Thanks to Roger's efforts as web publisher, our journal, forum program, Research Ands and committee meeting updates have been placed online. Please visit our site at http://education.curtin.edu.au/waier/waier.html.

Research Ands continue to play an important role in WAIER's desire to encourage educational research and promote debate on current/critical issues. Many thanks to Gail Chittleborough for her solid effort in this portfolio. The Research forums were well attended and attracted participants from all campuses.

Treasurer Pat Forster has continued to conduct herself with the proficiency of a seasoned accountant and managed to keep our balance in the black. WAIER is striving to broaden its membership base in order to ensure longer-term financial viability. It is fantastic to note that our finances are now moving in a positive or upward direction for the first time in several years.

WAIER has a commitment to recognising prospective and emerging academics. Leslie Newhouse-Maiden has been committed in her role as Early Career and Postgraduate Award Coordinator. Congratulations to all winners and may the WAIER awards continue to be received with the respect and consideration they deserve. Thank you for a job well done.

I'd like to thank Vice-President Judith McCallum for her work with ACER along with Zsuzsanna Millei, Sophia Elliott and Beverly Webster for their contributions to both executive and our annual Forum. I look forward to their ongoing involvement in WAIER 2004.

Special thanks to Sue Beltman who has done an outstanding job as Secretary. Her attention to detail and support has made my role far less onerous. I would also like to acknowledge Lina Pelliccione for assisting with both the secretarial role and review processes throughout the year.

In closing, I wish to extend my appreciation to all members of WAIER Executive 2003. Your contributions have laid a strong foundation upon which to promote our association. We have new challenges in 2004 and I have no doubt they will be conquered by our continued professionalism.

Dr Philip Paioff
President