This Thursday we will host the highly anticipated 2015 NSW Architecture Awards. I invite you to join us and be the first to find out what the winning projects are from across the state this year. The event will be held at the iconic Sydney Town Hall, led by Fenella Kernebone our MC for the evening. Drinks and canapés will be followed by Award presentations, and post-awards there will be live entertainment, further food and a chance to network and mingle with your colleagues. Spaces are filling fast so register ASAP. It promises to be an exciting night!

On Friday 26 June, the NSW Chapter President Shaun Carter, Hannah Burgess (Awards and Events Officer) and I attended the Victorian Chapter Architecture Awards, held at Docklands in Melbourne. Over 750 people attended the evening; it was thrilling to have such an excellent turnout and see how the VIC event was run. We are looking forward to our NSW Awards being bigger and even better than last year!

I am also delighted to announce that our new Communications Officer, Hannah McKissock-Davis, commenced with the NSW Chapter last week. Hannah’s portfolio will be editing Architecture Bulletin and looking after our communications strategy, including lifting our social media presence as a Chapter. We are a full-office complement again and very happy Hannah has joined the NSW Team.

We also welcomed Ramiro Solorzano from the American Institute of Architects to Tusculum last week as part of an international exchange program. Ramiro observed one of our CPD events (Housing Code) and spent time with our CPD Manager, Eoghan Lewis noting how we deliver CPD to the membership. Ramiro was also impressed with the PALS, mentoring and gender equity programs we have implemented here in NSW, and was keen to take back some ideas and recommendations to the AIA.

Audrey Braun
NSW Chapter Manager