Western Australian Institute for Educational Research President's Report 2007 Ian Gaynor

The Western Australian Institute for Educational Research has enjoyed another year of continued growth and success. The Executive has strived to continue to access support for WAIER's Forum from external organisations such as The Fogarty Foundation, Members Equity and Pearsons.

WAIER's Executive deserve much credit and recognition for their efforts, special mention should be made of Forum Coordinator, Jan Gray, for securing the venue, presentation facilities and ensuring success of the forum at Edith Cowan University (Mount Lawley Campus), thank you Jan. Edith Cowan University must also be acknowledged for its ongoing support in allowing WAIER to use its amenities. The level of positive feedback received from those who attended the Forum indicates that WAIER's Forum and the venue provides a valuable and unique opportunity for early career researchers to meet, and to develop and refine their research skills.

Clare McBeath has continued her outstanding job editing and publishing bi-annual editions of the national journal, Issues in Educational Research. While Roger Atkinson (IIER Journal Business Manager) has been exemplary with his endeavours to raise the exposure of our journal. Roger's efforts as web publisher have ensured that the Institute continues to provide an informative website that includes updates of WAIER's journal, forum program, research seminars and committee meetings. Please visit our site at http://www.waier.org.au/.

Lesley Newhouse-Maiden (Vice-President), Chris Hackett and Zsuzsanna Millei continued to manage WAIER's prestigious Early Career and Postgraduate Awards. These awards are an important component of WAIER's recognition of prospective and emerging academics. Congratulations to all award recipients. The quality of the recipients will ensure that the WAIER awards will continue to be held in high regard.

Research Seminars have continued to provide WAIER's membership with a medium to explore issues within educational research and promote debate on current/critical issues. Thank you to Eve Ruddock for continuing to coordinate this program.

This year, two prestigious WAIER Fellowships were awarded. I would like to extend congratulations to Dr Phil Paioff, our Immediate past President, and to Dr Susan Hall who was instrumental in the establishment of the WAIER Forum.

I would like to thank Judith MacCallum for her work on the Fellowship Committee and Zsuzsanna Millei for her role as the book reviews editor of IIER. I would like to acknowledge the work of new member Karen Murcia a 2005 WAIER Early Career Award Researcher, for her pivotal role this year's Forum. Thank you to Brad Gobby and Glenn Savage for getting actively involved in supporting WAIER activities.

Lina Pellicione has continued to direct the financial aspects of WAIER and ensure the sound management of the Institute's fiscal affairs. I would also like to extend a special thank you to Sue Beltman for doing an outstanding job as Secretary. Sue was valuable contribution to the Institute was recognised as a recipient of the inaugural Outstanding Professional Service Award of the Professional Teaching Council of Western Australia. Sue's attention to detail and her readiness to assist and provide advice has proved invaluable advice during my first year as President, thank you Sue.

I would like to extend a sincere thanks to Phil Paioff, our Immediate Past President for his support during my first year as President. The leadership provided by Phil will ensure that WAIER will continue to support educational research within Western Australia.

Finally, I wish to extend my appreciation to all members of executive for continuing to volunteer their time and to promote educational research throughout Western Australia. It is through your contribution that early career researchers will continue to impact upon our education system. 2008 will provide WAIER with the opportunity to develop a meaningful communication with its membership, to strengthen the value of the Annual Forum, to promote the value of the research seminars, to strengthen its financial position and to conclude the Constitutional Review.

Ian Gaynor
President
November 2007