Here we are! It’s hard to believe that we’ve made it to the end of 2019! It’s been an incredible year with many highlights.

Thank you to everyone who has supported our organisation, whether it be as a member, partners on a project, to a supporter re-tweeting or sharing our posts on Facebook.

I’m looking forward to the year ahead, which is going to be just as eventful (and colourful – yes the cranes will return!). In particular, the ATDC 2020 conference in May, which is shaping up to be a fantastic event (hint, hint- the call for abstracts is open!).

I look forward to sharing it all with you, but before it begins it’s important that we take time to pause and rejuvenate over the Christmas and New Year break.

There’s a quote I came across recently, that doesn’t seem to be attributed to anyone that resonates with me about the importance of being kind to oneself. It says ‘don’t set yourself on fire to keep others warm’. It’s a simple expression of a common saying that you can’t help others if you don’t help yourself first. For many people reading this, you’re working or volunteering in roles that require you to spend your days supporting others, and I suspect quite often running your ‘personal fuel tank’ a bit low in your commitment to do this. For you all, I hope that you are able to find time in the coming weeks to do something that helps you re-energise, and ‘refuel’ before 2020 begins.

I will be taking this advice! I will return to the office after the break for the first two weeks of January, but I will then leave you in the very capable hands of Dr Jackie Hallam who will be acting CEO while I take a month’s leave to spend time with my family.

I look forward to connecting with you when I return. Until then, I wish you all a safe and merry Christmas and a wonderful start to 2020.

Alison Lai
Chief Executive Officer