2008 AIDA Annual General Meeting

The 2008 Annual General Meeting was held at the Palms City Resort in Darwin on Friday 3rd October. Ms Bilawara Lee, a Larrakia woman welcomed 70 AIDA members to the meeting. Special guests included Mr Andy Tiljari, Mr Rupert Peter and Mr Toby Ginger (Ngangkaris), Dr David Jansen and Ms Ripeka Evans (President & CEO of Te Ohu Rata o Aotearoa: Maori Medical Practitioners Association) and Professor Lowitja O'Donoghue (AIDA Patron).

AIDA President Dr Tamara Mackean provided an overview of the key milestones for 2007/2008 including: celebrating ten years as an organisation, transfer of incorporation to a Company Limited by Guarantee, growth of the AIDA membership and the significant contributions and representations made by members in Indigenous health and the wider arena of Indigenous affairs.

Five Board positions were up for election including Secretary, Treasurer and 3 Directors.

AIDA said thank you to a number of long-time contributors who were not running for re-election, including: Associate Professor Noel Hayman, Associate Professor Helen Milroy, Dr Simone Raye, Dr Paula Edgill, Dr Brad Murphy and Dr Kelvin Kong.

A warm welcome is extended to our new Board Directors Dr Tammy Kimpton, Dr Dennis Bonney, Dr David Brockman, Dr Jason King and Dr Stephanie Trust. Dr Shannon Springer and Dr Latisha Petterson have assumed the Executive positions of Secretary and Treasurer.

The incoming 2008/09 Board of Directors are:

New 2008-2009 AIDA Board of Directors
Dr Stephanie Trust, Associate Professor Peter O'Mara, Dr Dennis Bonney, Dr Tammy Kimpton, Dr David Brockman, Dr Latisha Petterson, Ms Danielle Arabena, Dr Marilyn Clarke, Dr Shannon Springer, Dr Tamara Mackean
[Absent: Dr Jason King]

In concluding the AGM, a Community dinner catered by the Lee family of Darwin was enjoyed in the Esplanade Park. Members participated in a painting workshop which was thoroughly enjoyed by all.

In providing their ongoing commitment over the past ten years, AIDA acknowledges the following people:

• Associate Professor Noel Hayman (founding member and a Director for 10 years);
• Associate Professor Helen Milroy (Past President and long term Director);
• Dr Mark Wenitong (Past President and long term Director);
• Dr Louis Peachey (Past President and long term Director);
• Associate Professor Ngiare Brown (Past CEO and Director);
• Professor Lowitja O'Donoghue (Patron);
• Sir William Deane (Patron);
• Mr Jimmy Little (Patron).