Minutes of the Australasian Drama Studies Association

Executive Meeting

University of Tasmania, Launceston, Wednesday July 3rd, 2002

Present: Peter Hammond, Veronica Kelly, Adrian Kiernander, Iris Lavell, Paul Makeham, Geoffrey Milne, Joanne Tompkins

1 Apologies: Peter Eckersall, Jacqueline Martin, Delyse Ryan

2 Minutes of most recent meetings (distributed electronically)
Accepted. Moved Peter Hammond; seconded Veronica Kelly

3 Business arising (most dealt with in separate items below)
Several matters were discussed. It was agreed that email meetings were not particularly effective in managing Executive business. Adrian Kiernander suggested we investigate the feasibility of web-based video links for Executive meetings. There was also some discussion concerning the status of representative or co-opted members of the Executive (e.g. President, Drama Australia).

With respect to the broader issue of future directions and viability of the Association, there was discussion concerning links with other organisations (e.g. Drama Australia, IDEA, Lowdown). Suggestions included reciprocal memberships and special deals for schools; Paul Makeham agreed to discuss possibilities with Christine Comans (Editor of NJ, the Drama Australia journal). It was agreed that the Association had to address the issue of dwindling membership, and that this would entail more effective promotion. Helena Grehan and Joanne Tompkins agreed to work on a brochure advertising the benefits of membership. Examples of the Association's good work (e.g. AusStage, prizes, etc) were mentioned. Adrian agreed to forward CHAUTSI's Submission to the Review of Higher Education Financing & Policy (1997) to Delyse for inclusion on the website [done - available on the website via "Links", pm]. The Association's relationship with CHAUTSI - and indeed the status of CHAUTSI as an organisation - would also have to be addressed immediately.

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 (for which Geoffrey thanked Delyse and Adrian); the 2 issues of ADS, particularly the latest (#40, April '02), the journal's 20th Anniversary issue; and AusStage, the online theatre events database.

However, the substance of the President's report was his "Crisis in Australasian Theatre & Drama Studies?", the position paper tabled by Geoffrey for discussion as a special item at the AGM. (See copy of this position paper attached). Peter Hammond moved that the President's report be accepted; seconded Helena Grehan.

5 Treasurer's Report
Joanne Tompkins tabled the Association's Statement of Income & Expenditure, 4th July '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 approved the recommendation that subscriptions remain at $75 (full) and $50 (student). Veronica Kelly moved that the report be accepted; seconded Geoffrey Milne.

6 AusStage Report
Geoffrey Milne provided a brief report, stating that the development of the database was continuing as planned. A demonstration of the system would be given during his conference paper later in the week.

7 Conferences:
7.1 2002 Launceston
Peter Hammond tabled the most recent conference budget. He expected to be able to return the $3000 subvention, plus a profit. The crowd gasped.

7.2 2003 at Australian Catholic Uni (in association with ASAL, Winter)
Veronica Kelly reported that plans were under way for "Interlocking" ASAL (Assoc'n for the Study of Australian Literature) / ADSA conferences in Brisbane 2003. Financial arrangements for the conferences would be kept separate. The theme "Endless Horizons: Looking Inwards & Looking Outwards" had been decided, recognising that it had to serve both Associations.

7.3   2004 at Victoria University, Wellington; Winter
This was to be confirmed. Geoffrey would ask David O'Donnell from Victoria Uni to make an announcement at the AGM. The 1st week in July '04 would be ideal.

7.4   2005
There was some discussion about a Murdoch / Curtin collaboration in 2005. There was also some mention of a Melbourne conference; Geoffrey would talk with Peter Eckersall about this.

8 Prizes:
8.1 Philip Parsons Prize report
Helena reported that the PPP would not be awarded again this year, the second year in succession. She speculated that the poor 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 good enough. It was agreed that student work of this type comes and goes in cycles, and that new entrants would probably emerge in the next round. Joanne noted that if this was not the case, we should re-visit the PP Prize. It was further noted that Katharine Brisbane should be informed that there were no suitable candidates this year.

8.2 Marlis Thiersch Award report
Adrian 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. 3 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.

8.3 Rob Jordan Award report
Geoffrey reported that he had tried to secure sponsorship, without success. Gay McAuley, Bill Dunstone and he had made a decision, and the award would be announced during the conference.

8.4 Rotation of Judges and cycle of timing for all these
This would be decided at the AGM.

Joanne suggested that a "Best Postgraduate Paper" be awarded next year. She also confirmed that the Early Career Researchers session would occur at next year's conference, with papers to be submitted a month in advance. More detailed guidelines would be circulated soon [these have now been written and endorsed by the Exec, and added to the website, pm].

9 Website & Research Database: report from Delyse Ryan (via G. Milne)
Geoffrey commended Delyse and Adrian for the great improvements made to the Research Register and the ADSA website.

10 CHAUTSI Report?
There was an urgent need to re-vitalise this organisation, as no real activity had occurred for 2 years. HOD's (or those nearest to them) would convene at this conference to address this issue.

11 ATHE Report? 2001? 2002? 2003?
It was agreed that the link with ATHE was still important to the Association. Adrian suggested that he would like to attend in July '03. An announcement would be made at the AGM.

12 Publications Report
Veronica reported on the 2 issues of ADS produced in the last year, noting that the most recent (#40) was the 20th Anniversary issue. The quality of printing in some copies of this most recent issue was variable, but replacement copies were available. The editorial arrangements with Mary-Ann Hunter (see Exec Minutes 2001) were in suspension for the time being. The Association's guarantee against loss (see Exec minutes 2001) had not been needed. There would be no published proceedings from the Newcastle conference (2000).

13 Postgraduates' Report
Iris Lavell planned to step down from this position at the conference. She suggested that a clearer role description was needed for the postgrad representative; a clearer set of responsibilities would make the position more effective. She added that an online discussion forum would be useful for maintaining dialogue amongst postgrads.

14 Future Directions for ADSA and the Discipline (paper to follow from G. Milne: available for collection at Registration)
A special session to discuss these issues with the conference delegates was scheduled to follow the AGM later in the week (see Minutes - AGM 2002).

15 Any Other Business
There was no other business.