President’s Letter – Winter 2024

PRESIDENT’S LETTER

Dear fellow guild members,

On behalf of the National Executive, I would like to thank a number of people who have given of themselves, supporting the guild in a variety of positions. Thank you to all the members who continue to serve on the National Executive, in an operational role or state liaison position and welcome to those members that have volunteered for the coming year.

I’d like to welcome new state liaisons Simone Romaniuk (live performance, QLD), Simone Grace (screen, VIC), Charlotte Lane (live performance, VIC) and the returning Casey Van Sibelle (live performance, SA).

Daniel Willis will step down as the online manager and take up the position of National Executive Screen Representative jointly with Ross Wallace. Daniel’s dedication and contribution as online manager and the countless hours he has contributed to the guild’s online presence are beyond measure. Thank you Dan. Live Performance Emerging Design Representative Madeleine Barlow has stepped down from the National Executive. We thank Madeleine for her contribution particularly her work in Queensland, in costume design and within the emerging space.

The guild’s management structure is being refreshed. In part this has been inspired by the extraordinary work Rebecca Whittington has done, bringing clarity to our systems and managerial infrastructure. Moving forward, the guild’s operations will be supported by three positions, APDG Business Manager, APDG Awards Manager and APDG Administrative Assistant. You can learn more about our new staff
members below.

Rebecca will step down as the APDG Company Secretary and APDG Business Manager at the end of the financial year. What a stalwart she has been, perceptive, caring, determined, honest and loyal, always having the big picture in mind, but never
unavailable to talk about the detail… and boy has she been across the detail! On behalf of the guild can I thank Rebecca for moving us to another stratosphere.

Speaking of stalwarts, George Liddle has decided that the time is right to relax his formal engagement with the guild and will step down as a director. George, who bravely push started the APDG, has never waned in his enthusiasm as he meticulously guided its inception and growth over many years. His advice has always been insightful and invaluable. Thank you George.

Award entries have closed, judging is being finalised and we look forward to the nominee announcement. For the first time we will be celebrating the annual awards ceremony live in Brisbane (despite our best efforts in 2021), at the State Library of Queensland on Saturday August 24, 2024. Looking forward to seeing you there.

Warmest regards,

Michael Scott-Mitchell APDG

Michael Scott-Mitchell APDG