Art Education Association of Western Australia

2009 Vice President’s Report – Pauline O’Brien

…the question was raised – “What about primary teachers? The Art ED Assoc is not currently doing anything to specifically address the needs of Primary art teachers and as a result the Primary membership is very low.” The answer was basically one of – “Well if the Primary sector wants to have their needs addressed, then Primary people need to get involved in managing that for themselves.”

Well, that was certainly throwing down a challenge and was one that initially a few of us rose to. Over time, the Primary sub committee has become an exemplary group that demonstrates how a shared vision can be harnessed across the metropolitan region. With the help during the last three years of Sarah Hannah in the south, Jeanette Lyons in the hills, Rosie Edmiston, Talita Van Tonder and Jeanette Rengel in the north and Steph Matthews in the central regions, we were able to reach out to Primary teachers who were starved of any sort of professional development. Together this wonderful set of networks has grown to support not only one another, but also the mentoring of students from ECU, with plans for a new north east group in 2010.

In my role as Vice President, I have seen so many positive changes have already occurred which have directly resulted in so many more members. My one real regret is that I have not managed to get the Constitution rewrite completed this year. Thanks to Lynda and Olga for their input into this project so far. I am afraid my energies and available time were siphoned off as the year went along to helping with PD’s, General Meetings, maintaining the yahoo list as membership enrolments continued throughout the year and the ever hungry beast of maintaining the website and during the last term of 2010 helping to get the second Journal out on time.

I have reckoned that my commitment over the last few years works out on a very conservative average of some 5 hours a week, all minutes of which I have given both voluntarily and willingly. I know not everyone has that sort of time available to give. I am not signing off totally though – I will still be a part of the Primary sub Committee, a wonderful group of women (though men are welcome to join!!) who work together to ensure that our Primary members are able to connect together and share innovative ideas, creative programs, discussions about issues specifically affecting us as primary teachers, as well as providing pertinent PL workshops to develop our own art skills and our ability to best work with our students to achieve desired outcomes. Best of all of course, are the wonderful friendships that end up existing outside “the job” of being on a committee and being a teacher.

I have already signed on to the 2010 Constitution sub-committee to continue the work already done and I am happy to continue with the webpage for 2010, including maintaining the yahoo list. However Please Note: It is time for a fourth person to become upskilled in wordpress our website software to share this role with the view to one day taking it over – none of us is indispensable – our leaving might leave a hole for a short time, but someone else will always step up to the plate and do their best to fill the role – we can only ever ask that people do their best and support them with training and encouragement and whatever else they need so that they in turn become empowered to do a great job.

I wish the new Management Committee all the very best at creating their own vision and furthering the cause for the recognition and support of all art educators in the Primary, Secondary and Tertiary sectors. I would encourage and urge all of you who have turned up today and others who might be reading this online later, to become actively involved in a sub committee that interests you. Identify your area of interest or particular skill you might have and give of the time you are able to both willingly and voluntarily knowing that you are helping current and future art teachers and gaining so much more in return.

Thank you to all fellow committee and ordinary members who have worked to advance ArtED over the last five years and to all of our members who actively engage in all that we strive to offer. I look forward to remaining involved in the core business of ArtED for a few more years, even if not at the Management Committee level.

Thank you finally and most especially to Lynda Kuntyj who has been an inspirational leader in her role as President over the last two years. I have been proud to work beside and support you as your deputy this last year.

Pauline O’Brien

15/02/2010