I am pleased to present my report for 2004. May I begin by apologising to the membership for our tardiness in calling this AGM. ‘Workplace intensification’ is the buzzword in industrial relations at the moment, and I know that we are all feeling its effects.

I believe that 2004 has again been a year of significant achievement by QATA. Notable achievements include –
· A most enjoyable and worthwhile conference, held in Townsville in September. May I place on record my appreciation of the efforts of Paula Mazlin & Adam Burke who did the lion’s share of organising the conference. It was especially pleasing to see a number of relative newcomers to the QATA, as well as three student teachers, in attendance.
· Development of a mutually beneficial partnership with the Curriculum Strategy Branch, Education Queensland, to support the introduction of the years 1-10 Technology syllabus. This partnership provided significant financial support for the September conference. Outcomes included a number of exemplar units of work that cover Technology outcomes in an agricultural context.
· Individual teachers and schools continuing to do great things to promote agricultural education. I heard, just recently, of Gympie SHS’s Droughtmaster stud doing very well at the Gympie show and Stanthorpe SHS’s Banca Ridge winery achieving a Showcase award. Our southern vice-president, Tony Heading, should also be congratulated for winning a Westfield Premier’s Educational Scholarship - $24 000 to undertake an overseas study tour! I am sure that there are lots of other examples that I have not heard about.

There remain a number of challenges to deal with next year and, in mentioning these, I am speaking in support of my re-nomination as President. I believe that the QATA needs to –
· look at increasing our membership, possibly by broadening our membership base. As the Agricultural Colleges are re-structured, perhaps this would be a good time to invite their instructors to consider joining our association.
· Join with the other teacher professional associations as an active member of the Joint Council of Queensland Teacher Associations (JCQTA) to advance the cause of curriculum development and professional development of teachers.
· continue to develop the web site. I am particularly keen to see more teacher resources made available for the benefit of financial members. I would also love to see more members taking advantage of the noticeboard to communicate with their colleagues.
· provide agriculture teachers with support in curriculum matters. I believe that we need to work together on ways of implementing the recently-released junior Agriculture Education syllabus. The Curriculum Strategy Branch (Education Queensland) is again offering financial support for us to develop additional curriculum materials and professional development opportunities.
· We need to support one another as we continue to grapple with the requirements of the new Animal Protection Act. My thanks go to Phil Reinecker, Paul Willis and Chris Larkin for taking a lead in this area.
· We need to revive an effective incentive scheme to recognize and reward outstanding Agriculture students and teachers.

I have been honoured to serve as President of the QATA for the past three years. While I struggle, like all of you, to find time to do the job justice, I remain convinced of the need to have an effective professional association.

Nigel Grant
9 June, 2005