Statement from the president

2004 has been a year for us to consolidate and focus on our strategic program set out in our 2003-2004 plan: Making the difference, and to look forward by developing the 2005-2006 plan which positions the organisation within our vision document ALIA towards 2010. This annual report on the Association's activities again illustrates the extent and diversity of interests in which we - members, directors and staff - engage in the pursuit of our Objects.

The increase in the retention and new member levels in the current membership year (July 2004 - June 2005) is a highlight and it is hoped reflects support for the new directions the Association has taken over the last five years, and set for the future.

The launch of the online shop facility of ALIAnet at the National Policy Congress (NPC) in November demonstrates the potential for growth of ALIAnet services to support members. The NPC was broadened to include individual members as well as group representatives and once again provided a stimulating forum for the exchange of ideas and information and development of the 2005-2006 plan.

The achievements of the New Graduates Group (NGG) and the New Generation and Policy Advisory Group continue. There is a high retention rate of students and new graduates, and high take-up of NGG initiatives. The NGG-led session at the ALIA Biennial Conference and the New Librarians' Symposium are models that will be carried forward by ALIA and are being looked at with great interest by other Associations. The contribution of our new professionals across the activities of the Association provides optimism for the future of the profession.

Our strong prospects for the future build on the strengths of the present and past. At the ALIA Biennial Conference Challenging ideas on the Gold Coast in September I had the honour of paying tribute to six of our leaders who have died in the past two years. All were recipients of the highest recognition that the Association could award. Margaret Trask, Jean Whyte, Allan Horton, Warren Horton and Ali Sharr received the HCL Anderson Award, and Ena Noël the Ellinor Archer Award. I was heartened by the positive responses that I received from members, acknowledging that our past is indeed very much a part of our future.

During the year, ALIA also recognised excellence in our contemporaries. Fellowship was conferred on Janine Schmidt and Marianne Broadbent. John Dwight, executive chair of DA Information Services and DA Library Technologies, was awarded the Redmond Barry Award in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the library and information services sector. Forty members received ALIA Silver Pins in recognition of their service to ALIA as an office-bearer or committee member.

The visit to Australia by the IFLA president Kay Raseroka to attend the ALIA Biennial Conference gave the ALIA Board of Directors and delegates an opportunity to meet with her and to discuss IFLA and its role in working collaboratively with member associations such as ALIA.

The Association's achievements in 2004 are many and by many and I thank you all for your commitment and support.

Imogen Garner, ALIA president