21 November 2023
Hello Queensland:
How are we in the middle of November already? But here we are. As we approach the end of 2023, I thought I would start by thanking the Executive Committee, AILA QFresh, Sub-committee members and Mel West for all the work accomplished this year. It has been a whirl wind. Just some of the highlights are as follows:
- One of the initiatives AILA has been working on is educating the public about what Landscape Architects do. Clearly that it is working with all the press our projects have been receiving lately.
- Be a Landscape Architect program has built up some momentum and high school students are now seeking work experience at Landscape Architecture firms.
- QUT launches the new program next year and it is currently going through preliminary accreditation with AILA.
- We’ve secured three new corporate partners – Urban Turf Solutions as a major partner and Pacific Nurseries and HBW Lighting as supporting partners. Along with renewing our Principal Partner Eureka Landscapes and Innovative Rigging and Groundworks as supporting partners.
- AIA, AILA, DIA and PIA have a ‘Design meets Government’ roundtable next week to discuss Olympic Priorities
- Collaboration events with allied Industries including AIA, Engineers Australia, PIA, PLA, Stormwater Queensland and getting involved with a Blue/Green Alliance
- QFresh has put on some really good events including the first Urban Sketchers event at Mt Coot-tha Botanical Gardens , Co-hosted event with EmAGN and QYP Trivia night and the the Fortitude Valley Green Heart Design Competition
Do not forget the AILA End of Year Celebration is coming up on December 7th and you do not want to miss that. It is the time of the year where we celebrate our new Fellows, Registered Landscape Architects, and the Karl Langer Award Winner.
We have 8 nominees for the Karl Langer Award this year which is exciting as we haven’t had this many in several years. The nominees are Laz McCormick (who is overseas currently), Renee-Claude Poirier, Tegan Hall, Cas Brown, Hana Nara, James Howley, Maria Cacciola, and Brooke Simpson. Congratulations to all of you and look forward to seeing your contributions to our profession in the coming years. You can’t have a winner without a panel. Thank you, Alice Grostein (Chair), Josh Hinwood, and Taneile Nixon for volunteering. It will not be easy but know you will do a great job. Good luck with the process.
Here is to another successful year
Espe Kelly - AILA Queensland Secretary