Dear Members and Friends,
I am writing to let you know that our National Director, Elizabeth Ames, is leaving us at the end of the month to take up an exciting new role as the Chief Operating Officer at Atalanta - a communications and campaign consultancy working to increase women's representation in leadership roles worldwide. I am thrilled for Elizabeth and I am sure you will all join me in wishing her well. Elizabeth joined the BAS as National Director in June last year in an interim role and has done a brilliant job modernising our systems and communications. In the face of the lockdown restrictions which stopped our face-to-face meetings and events, Elizabeth kept us all connected through the regular newsletters and I am very grateful for her wonderful support over the last 15 months. I am now delighted let you know that Louise Mulley will succeed Elizabeth as National Director with effect from 1 October. Louise will be well known to many of you as the Executive Director of the Britain-Australia Society Education Trust (BASET) and from her tireless work within the bilateral community here in the UK. Alongside her work with BASET, Louise also serves on the board of the Royal Flying Doctors Friends in the UK and the committees of The Australian Women's Club and the Chicken & Chablis Club. I know that you will join me in welcoming her to her new role. Our regular newsletter will be coming out with an exciting announcement regarding the next First Eight Lecture. In the meantime please don't forget there are still spaces available for the upcoming High Commissioners in Conversation virtual event which is being held on the morning of Thursday 1 October.
Best wishes,
Damian J. Walsh
Chairman