Well it’s been a really big year in Media and the reports keep rolling in.

I became chair at the AGM last year and I have really enjoyed my first year in the hot seat. It is a privilege to serve in this position and to be a part of such a dynamic and progressive organisation.

ATOM vic has an enviable reputation as one of the leading subject associations largely because it provides one of the largest and strongest arrays of services to its members. From the awards, the publications Metro and Screen Ed, the professional development, curriculum development, curriculum and classroom support right to the list server Atom provides quality support and tireless promotion for media education. This year has been no exception.

This has been an exciting year which has seen ATOM vic look to new horizons within Victoria, nationally and internationally.

But first I would like to acknowledge the work of my predecessor, Meg Hannan. Meg became chair after Atom had suffered through a very chaotic time, it had appeared to lose sight of its goals and charter, it had an uncoordinated structure and approach and was in dire financial straights. Meg spent her time at the helm righting the ship and she left Atom in a strong and stable state. A state that has enabled us to take a more outward focus, knowing the house is in good order.

This outward focus has been one of my own goals as Chair, to allow ATOM to play its role on larger stages both nationally and internationally.
This year saw the creation of a new national peak body of media education called, appropriately enough ATOM national. This body was formed at a meeting in Melbourne last December and consisted of reps from Queensland, ACT, South Australia and Victoria. ATOM nat is composed of one delegate from each of the State branches.

Atom National immediately applied for and was granted membership to the National Advocates for Arts education – the peak body for arts education, which has two representatives from each of Dance, Drama, Media, Music and Visual Art It is due to this body that the Arts have been included in Phase 2 of the National Curriculum to be rolled out in 2012. I would like to formally acknowledge the work hard work that body did before we joined and I am very proud that ATOM is a member and I feel privileged and proud to serve as a delegate. This National curriculum work is one of the most important developments that has occurred in Media education in this country to date.

Other achievements over the year have included the strengthening and development of relationships and strategic partnerships with organisations including Screenrights/Enhance TV, the Herald Sun, AFI , Screen Australia and, of course, the VCAA. ATOMvic has also build on and strengthened its relationship with other Media bodies in Australia and internationally.

I would like to express my thanks to the Atomvic board, the sub-committees, the hardworking employees of Atom in PD and publications and to all Atomvic members for their support for Atom vic and their help in making us a stronger organisation. We will also be facing the challenge of our education officer Amber leaving at some stage this year and as we know from the struggle we had replacing her when she went on family leave, she will be sorely missed and hard to replace.

I look to a very exciting year ahead with increased participation in the National Curriculum, stronger links with other states, and internationally and the further development of strategic partnerships. Hopefully too over the course of next year we will be able to announce a star-studded international cast for our next National conference. In keeping with Rudd’s education revolution – viva ATOM!

Composition of Atom Board 2009

Roger Dunscombe Chair

Karen Koch Assistant Chair

Melinda Roberts Professional Development

Simon Wilmot Atom Awards

Andrew Renaut Publications

Board Members

Brett Lamb, Steve Guage, Victoria Giummarra, Lisa Worthy, Julie- Anne Smith. Peter Tapp and Amber Nelson.

The Board expresses it's appreciation for the services of Liza Bermingham who has resigned her Board position. Liza was a hard working and dedicated Board member and her services will be missed.