Minutes of the Australasian Drama Studies Association

Annual General Meeting

University of Tasmania, Saturday July 6th, 2002

Present: Lauren Bain, Bill Blaikie, Jonathan Bollen, Rebecca Caines, Stephen Carleton, Maryrose Casey, Khairul Chowdhury, Lesley Delmenico, Rick De Vos, Rebecca-Anne DoRozario, Michael Edgar, Mike Foster, Sharon Goodall, Ray Goodlass, Helena Grehan, Peter Hammond, Veronica Kelly, Adrian Kiernander, Iris Lavell, Paul Makeham, Ailsa McPherson, Geoffrey Milne, Martene O'Dea, David  O'Donnell, Ben Payne, Joanne Pool, Kevin Poynter, Alison Richards, Georgia Seffrin, Joanne Tompkins, Lisa Warrington

1       Apologies: Jim Davidson, John de Reuck, Jenny de Reuck, David Carnegie, John Downie, Peter Eckersall, Tony Nicholls, Donald Pulford, Delyse Ryan, Bronwyn Tweddle

2       Minutes of the previous AGM (UNSW, Saturday 14 July 2001) (included in conference packs)

Maryrose Casey moved that the minutes of the previous AGM be accepted.    Seconded by Helena Grehan.

3       Business arising

         Dealt with in separate items below, with the exception of an item raised by Adrian Kiernander, to let members know how to sign on to TheatreOz.

 4       President's Report

         Geoffrey Milne outlined the most positive outcomes for the Association over the past 12 months.  These included: the upgrading of the website and the research register (for which Geoffrey thanked Delyse and Adrian); publications, including the two most recent issues of ADS, particularly the latest (#40, April 2002), the journal's 20th Anniversary issue; and AusStage, the online theatre events database, which was up and running to prototype stage.  Geoffrey also noted that, despite some hiccups, conference plans were in place for the next few years.  He thanked the Executive for their work over the past 12 months.

          However, the substance of the President's report was his 'Crisis in Australasian Theatre & Drama Studies?', the position paper tabled for discussion as a special item at the AGM.  (See copy of this position paper attached).

          Helena Grehan moved that the President's report be accepted; seconded by Alison Richards.

 5       Treasurer's Report

         Joanne Tompkins tabled the Association's Statement of Income & Expenditure, 4th      '01 - 20th June '02.  The account balance at 20th June '02 was $24,076.69. Although the figures suggest that the Association is relatively healthy, subscriptions continued to drop rapidly in the last year.  Only 2 ADSA teaching texts were sold in that period.  Income had been affected by large drops in interest rates; Joanne would investigate other accounts returning higher rates of interest. $1290 was still to come out of the account for the latest issue of ADS.  No private sponsorship had been secured for the Thiersch and Jordan prizes, and the Association could not continue meeting these expenses.  The 2001 conference at UNSW was unlikely to return its subvention. The Executive had earlier approved the recommendation that subscriptions remain at $75 (full) and $50 (student).     Maryrose Casey moved that the report be accepted; seconded Adrian Kiernander.

 6       Election of Executive office-bearers

         Geoffrey Milne was re-elected President.  Paul Makeham was elected Vice-President.  Joanne Tompkins was re-elected Treasurer.  Delyse Ryan was elected Secretary.  The following were re-elected to Executive positions: Adrian Kiernander, Helena Grehan, Peter Eckersall.  Maryrose Casey was elected to the Executive for the first time.  Ben Payne was elected postgraduate representative. Further geographical and other secondments would be coordinated by the Executive.

 7       Reports from Prizes Judges

         7.1       2002

         7.1.1   Philip Parsons Prize report

         Helena Grehan reported that only one entry had been received, so the PPP would be held over for another year - the second year in succession.  She speculated that the low level of interest in the award may be due to its criteria, or lack of publicity, or perhaps supervisors felt their students' work wasn't of a sufficient standard.

          The judges for this award were due to be rotated.

          7.1.2   Marlis Thiersch Award report

         Adrian Kiernander (who was stepping down from his role as award judge) reported that sponsorship from the Coop Bookshop had been lost, and there had been no success in securing another sponsor.  The 'ADSA part' of the prize (i.e. $325) could still be awarded.  Three candidates had been shortlisted for the award this year. Mentioning the relatively low number of nominations, Adrian noted that there was not a lack of goodwill, but that everybody was very busy.  Postgraduates in particular should be encouraged to nominate their work, both for the prestige and the money associated with the award.

 7.1.3       Rob Jordan Award report

         Geoffrey Milne reported that there had been a terrific field of candidates for the award.  He had tried to secure sponsorship, without success.  Nonetheless, Gay McAuley, Bill Dunstone and he had made a decision, and the award would be announced during the conference.  The next award would be given two years from   now (i.e. 2004).

          7.2       Rotation of Judges and timing cycles for 2003 and beyond

         Ed Scheer would step down from the Philip Parsons Prize; Jonathan Bollen would take over. Adrian Kiernander would step down from the Marlis Thiersch Award; Maryrose Casey would take over.  Geoffrey Milne would step down from the Rob Jordan Award; Adrian Kiernander would take over (if no-one else volunteered).

          A new prize was proposed by Joanne Tompkins for the best postgraduate paper at an ADSA conference.  Geoffrey Milne would solicit feedback regarding guidelines, prize etc.

 8       Website and Research Register report

         Geoffrey commended Delyse and Adrian for the great improvements made to the research register and the ADSA website.  There was a suggestion that computer facilities be made available at conferences to enable members to update their research details.

 9       RIEF grant/AusStage database report

         Adrian Kiernander provided some background information re. the ARC / RIEF- funded AusStage database project.  The database was up and running (to prototype stage), and a substantial grant application was pending for second phase funding.  If this funding was secured, it was envisaged that the project would provide an infrastructural base to raise the activity profiles of ADSA and CHAUTSI, in addition to its core business of keeping an up-to-date record of Australian theatre activity. Adrian suggested that an announcement re. AusStage be made on the TheatreOz website. Geoffrey Milne added that AusStage was already identifying strong trends and therefore proving very useful as a database.

 10     Publications Report (including new arrangements for ADS)

         Veronica Kelly reported on the two issues of ADS produced in the last year, noting that the most recent (#40) was the 20th Anniversary issue.  She noted   that the guest edited issues were an excellent resource.  The Association's guarantee against loss (see AGM minutes 2001) had not been needed. Owing to lack of funds, there would be no published proceedings from the Newcastle   conference (2000).  Veronica also noted that ADS is now available in full text through APAIS.

 11     Caucus Reports:

         11.1    Women's Caucus

         Joanne Tompkins reported that the women's caucus had agreed to establish an email discussion group, which would be particularly useful for women completing postgraduate theses.  There would also be a special plenary session at the 2003 conference in Brisbane to address and workshop a range of issues.

          11.2    Gay, Lesbian & Queer caucus

         Ray Goodlass reported that this had been a very productive session.  There was a need for this caucus to continue, both as a means of exploring queer issues in research, and to address discrimination and other possible problems. Future conference organizers were urged to insist on double rooms for same sex couples, rather than twin rooms when arranging accommodation.

          11.3         Postgraduate

         Iris Lavell suggested that an interactive discussion forum would be useful for maintaining dialogue amongst postgrads.  There were continuing concerns amongst postgrads re. diminishing departments, and the effects of this on supervision and future employment.  Iris suggested that a postgrad site be set up on the ADSA webpage, to include p/g research interests for information and discussion.  Ben Payne would take over as postgrad rep; Ray Goodlass would provide support for that role.

 12     CHAUTSI Report  (What is to be done with CHAUTSI?)

         Adrian Kiernander reported that CHAUTSI was the 'Industrial wing' of ADSA.  It comprised Heads and senior academics of Drama / Theatre Studies departments.  A new Executive had convened at the conference, charged with 're- tooling' CHAUTSI and the discipline at policy level.

 13     Conferences

         Geoffrey Milne thanked Peter Hammond for organizing the 2002 conference, remarking that he thought it would have been impossible to organise a conference 'solo'.  Peter Hammond responded, thanking Sue Abernethy in particular for her support.

          13.1    2003 (Australian Catholic Uni; Brisbane; Winter)

         Veronica Kelly reported on behalf of Delyse Ryan that plans for the Brisbane 2003 conference were on track.

          13.2    2004 (Victoria University, Wellington, NZ; Winter)

         David O'Donnell (Victoria University, Wellington) represented John Downie. There was a proposal for a Music Theatre-related theme for the 2004 conference, to be scheduled sometime between June 28 and July 5.  Feedback from the meeting was generally supportive, but it was suggested that the organisers avoid making the Music Theatre theme too exclusive or prescriptive. As conference convenor, John Downie would be co-opted onto the ADSA Executive.

          13.3    2005  ?

         Geoffrey reported that there were possible 'consortia' from Melbourne and WA for 2005.

 14     ATHE report.  Future of this link?

         Adrian provided some background to this item.  He said the link was still important, but that it was sometimes difficult for ADSA members to get to the ATHE conference.  He reported that he might be able to attend in 2003; Alison Richards and Lesley Delmenico also expressed interest in attending.  An October commitment would be needed for a July / August conference.

 15     FUTURE DIRECTIONS FOR ADSA AND THE DISCIPLINE

         THIS WAS TO BE THE MAIN ITEM OF DISCUSSION.  A special extra session was held to discuss this issue with conference delegates after the AGM proper. Discussion was directed by a paper, written and tabled by Geoffrey Milne, titled 'Crisis in Australasian Theatre & Drama Studies?'.  Extensive discussion ensued; summary to be reported separately in President's report.

 16     Any Other Business

         There was no other business.