From your National President
Esteemed Members, Colleagues:
I hope you are all doing well.
I feel like September has been a particularly fast-paced month for us as language professionals.
Please allow me to outline some of the key developments below that I believe are worth your attention.
New Branch Delegates to the National Council
Over the past couple of months, AUSIT’s state and territory branches have held their Annual General Meetings (AGMs), marking another year of dedicated volunteer service at the local level. If you haven’t already done so, please take the time to reach out and thank these colleagues who have put up their hands to serve their local branch. Their work is essential to keeping AUSIT operational at the grassroots level and ensuring practitioners maintain a strong voice across all parts of our community.
While some branches have maintained relatively stable compositions, others have experienced significant changes. Several branches saw considerable shuffling of positions, with veteran members stepping down as new volunteers graciously stepped forward to take on these vital roles.
However, these changes also mean we must bid farewell to four longstanding Branch Delegates to the National Council (NC). It is with both sadness and deep appreciation that we acknowledge their departure and recognise the diverse range of experiences and expertise they have contributed to the NC over their years of service.
David Deck – Outgoing ACT Branch Delegate
Dave brings 24 years of Royal Australian Air Force experience to his role as a NAATI-Certified Translator and Interpreter (Indonesian/Malay–English). During his military service, he taught Indonesian at what is now the Defence Force School of Languages, developing deep expertise in language education. Building on this foundation, Dave has contributed to the translation and interpreting profession as both a NAATI examiner and an instructor at RMIT. He served as ACT Branch Delegate for three years.
Camille Lapierre – Outgoing NSW Branch Delegate
Camille is a NAATI-Certified Conference Interpreter and Community Interpreter (French <> English) who combines professional practice with academic excellence. She serves as an associate lecturer and casual tutor at UNSW, sharing her expertise with the next generation of interpreters. Her outstanding contributions to the field were recognised when she received the Multicultural NSW Interpreter of the Year award in September 2022. Camille dedicated five years of service as NSW Branch Delegate.
Carina Mackenzie – Outgoing Qld Branch Delegate
Carina has distinguished herself as both a NAATI-Certified Translator and Interpreter (Spanish <> English) and a tireless advocate for the profession. Working behind the scenes, she has invested countless hours organising local events and representing the interests of practitioners on NAATI’s Reference Advisory Committee (RAC). Her advocacy has extended to collaboration with Multicultural Affairs Queensland, Professionals Australia, and other key stakeholders to advance practitioners’ rights. She served as Queensland Branch Delegate for four years.
Joe van Dalen – Outgoing SA/NT Branch Delegate
Joe leverages his extensive educational background as a NAATI-Certified Translator (French > English, Dutch > English). With 41 years of French teaching experience — and ongoing work with the South Australian Certificate of Education Board — he brings deep linguistic knowledge to his translation practice. His expertise in mystical philosophy enabled him to translate several books and dozens of articles in this field. Joe served as SA/NT Branch Delegate for six years.
On behalf of the National Council, I would like to thank David, Camille, Carina and Joe for their many years of service to our association. We are immensely grateful for the colleagues who have stepped up to fill these very heavy shoes. I introduce them below for those who have not had the pleasure of meeting them yet.
Jialiang (Jessie) Huang – Newly Elected ACT Branch Chair & Delegate
Jessie combines her NAATI-Certified Translator credentials (Chinese <> English) with a master’s degree from Macquarie University. She has built extensive experience across the healthcare and social sectors, serving as a sessional interpreter (Mandarin and Cantonese) for NSW Health and various language service providers. Joining AUSIT in 2018, she progressed to ACT Branch Committee member and Professional Development Coordinator. Jessie is now advancing through academic research, focusing on healthcare translation and inclusive communication within culturally and linguistically diverse communities.
Silvia Martinez – Newly Elected NSW Branch Chair & Delegate
Silvia brings exceptional credentials as a NAATI-Certified Specialist Legal Interpreter, Certified Conference Interpreter and Certified Translator (Spanish <> English). Her postgraduate qualifications have equipped her for specialised health and legal environments. She provides comprehensive services across international conferences, legal settings and translation work. Her training expertise comes from coordinating Monash University’s T&I professional development program. Silvia’s portfolio includes numerous international and confidential forums, while delivering consecutive and simultaneous interpreting across corporate, diplomatic and community contexts.
Patricia Evelin Argüello de Avila – Newly Elected QLD Branch Delegate
Patricia brings over three decades of expertise to her role as a NAATI-Certified Translator and Interpreter (Spanish <> English). Her specialised knowledge in legal matters is supported by a diploma in legal studies and associate membership with the Queensland Law Society. She has made significant contributions to professional development through authoring two books – a Trainer’s Manual and Working Books – specifically focused on interpreting in health settings. Beyond her Branch Delegate responsibilities, Patricia demonstrates exceptional leadership as Chair of the Advocacy Committee and as a member of the Working Group for the AUSIT Code of Ethics Revision.
I note that the position of Qld Branch Chair remains vacant. I encourage interested colleagues to contact qld@
Adrian Garcia Rodriguez – Newly Elected SA/NT Branch Delegate
Adrian transitioned into interpreting after a decade-long media career, bringing communication expertise to his role as a NAATI-Certified Interpreter (Spanish <> English). His educational foundation includes a bachelor’s degree from Carlos III University (Spain) and Nottingham Trent University (UK). His media experience encompasses the roles of radio producer, station manager, and content navigator/archivist for ABC Adelaide. In 2021, Adrian completed interpreting and translation training at TAFE SA. I understand Adrian is really passionate about upholding standards across the language services sector to serve Australia’s multicultural society.
I would also like to express congratulations to Alicia Rex who has been elected Chair of SA/NT Branch. Alicia is a NAATI-Certified Interpreter (Croatian and Serbian) based in Adelaide who boasts almost three decades of experience in the translation and interpreting sector.
Upcoming Vice President Vacancies
In addition to changes to some of the Branch Delegates, it is with considerable sadness that I must announce the departure of two Vice Presidents this year. Their contributions have been invaluable to AUSIT’s objectives. Below, I outline their significant achievements within the translation and interpreting profession, along with the key responsibilities of these positions for colleagues who may be considering stepping forward to serve in these vital roles at the upcoming AGM.
Issa He – Outgoing Vice President (Events & Professional Development)
Issa leverages comprehensive academic credentials – including master’s degrees in translation & interpreting and conference interpreting from Macquarie University – as a NAATI-
Issa’s achievements in the role include: the two-year MoU (Memorandum of Understanding) with NAATI that is providing 30 free PD events for all AUSIT members and NAATI-accredited practitioners; 4 free recertification workshops funded by NAATI; over 20 successful national-level PD events on various topics; and the promotion of AUSIT’s membership through various speaking engagements.
Vice President (Events & Professional Development) plays an important role on the National Council.
The responsibilities of the Vice President (Events and PD) are:
1. Oversee the work of the PD Committee, either as Chair or as the person to whom the Chair reports.
2. Oversee the work of the Education Committee, either as Chair or as the person to whom the Chair reports. Liaise with the organisation’s national secretariat (Office Logistics) for items pertaining to the portfolio.
3. Oversee AUSIT’s Educational Affiliates via the Education Committee.
4. Oversee the work of the National Professional Development Coordinator.
5. Liaise with external PD providers.
6. Liaise with NAATI for PD and Education matters.
7. Oversee the work of the National Conference Organising Committee.
8. Participate in all NC meetings.
9. Deputise for National President when needed.
10. Other tasks as decided by the NC on an ad hoc basis.
Issa says: if you are interested and would like to know more about the VP E&PD role, I’d be happy to give you a call and help, just drop me an email.
Rosario Lázaro Igoa – Outgoing Vice President (Communications & Public Relations)
Rosario brings scholarly depth to her work as a NAATI-Certified Translator (English <> Spanish) through her PhD and master’s degrees in translation studies from UFSC, Brazil. Her research and publications focus on the history of translation, literary translation, and Latin American literature, creating a strong theoretical foundation for her practical work. She has translated notable authors from Portuguese and English into Spanish, including Danielle McLaughlin, Becky Manawatu, Gerald Murnane, Beatriz Bracher and Mário de Andrade. Her creative credentials are further enhanced by the publication of three fiction books of her own, demonstrating her comprehensive understanding of both sides of the literary translation process.
Rosario’s achievements in the role include: the approval of the current AUSIT Comms consultancy, which will advise on future communications and marketing steps; and the allocation of social media management hours for AUSIT from 2024 onwards.
The Vice President (Communications & Public Relations) also plays an important role on the National Council.
The responsibilities of the Vice President (Comms and PR) are:
1. Oversee work of the Communications and PR Committee, either as Chair or as the person to whom the Chair reports.
2. Oversee the work of the Communications Officer.
3. Oversee the maintenance of the AUSIT website.
4. Assist with communications with the public (including promotion and awareness raising).
5. Liaise with the media representing current policy and views of the Institute.
6. Assist with the education of T&I service users.
7. Participate in all NC meetings.
8. Deputise for the National President when needed.
9. Other tasks as decided by the NC on an ad hoc basis.
Rosario says: if you are interested and would like to know more about the VP Comms&PR role, I’d be happy to give you a call and help, just drop me an email.
I hope you will join me in thanking Issa and Rosario for their considerable contributions to both AUSIT and the broader translation and interpreting sector. Their departure creates an urgent need to identify suitable candidates for these vital positions on the NC. The Professional Development portfolio delivers immense value to our membership, while Communications remains crucial for elevating AUSIT’s influence both within and beyond our profession.
I encourage you to consider colleagues in your networks who might possess the skills and experience necessary to follow in Issa and Rosario’s footsteps. Please send potential candidate names directly to my email (president@ausit.org). I would be delighted to reach out to them with more information about these roles and answer any questions they might have. Ideally, we aim to have nominations secured before the National Conference, enabling us to move forward decisively at the National AGM and maintain momentum in these critical areas.
Updates re the International Federation of Translators (FIT)
Following our recent electronic poll regarding AUSIT’s membership in the International Federation of Translators (FIT), I am pleased to announce the results. Of the 356 votes cast, 245 members supported continuing our FIT membership – a decisive majority of approximately 69%. Consequently, AUSIT will maintain its FIT membership.
I extend my gratitude to all members who participated in this important decision, and special thanks to the esteemed colleagues who contributed thoughtful submissions to inform the membership. Their shared knowledge, ideas and experiences were instrumental in helping members make a well-informed choice on this crucial matter.
The XXIII FIT Statutory Congress convened at the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland on September 2–3, 2025. I congratulate Guillaume Deneufbourg on his election as FIT President. Particularly exciting for our region is the election of Isabelle Poff-Pencole, former President of the New Zealand Society of Translators & Interpreters (NZSTI), as a Council Member. With Isabelle representing Oceania on the newly elected FIT Council, our region has a strong voice advocating for improved professional conditions across all countries.
FIT has outlined its forward-looking mandate: ‘The Federation must adapt to a rapidly changing environment, respond to the urgent priorities expressed by its members, and reaffirm its role as the global voice of the profession.’ I encourage all AUSIT members to learn more about Statutory Congress 2025 here. On behalf of the National Council, I would like to congratulate all of the new FIT Council members. We are looking forward to collaborating with you to advance the global translation and interpreting profession.
NAATI Language Service Provider (LSP) Endorsement Model – Development and implementation
NAATI has established an Industry Consultative Group (ICG) on the LSP Endorsement Model that they have been directed to develop by the Ministerial Forum on Multicultural Affairs – and you are invited to participate! This is an important step in the push to ensure that LSPs uphold professional standards and working conditions in the T&I industry. You can find more details about the model and how to participate here.
NZSTI Conference
Representing AUSIT at this year’s New Zealand Society of Translators and Interpreters (NZSTI) Conference in Wellington on September 13–14 was truly inspiring. The conference theme, Past, Present, Future: Shaping the Legacy of Translation and Interpreting, provided a rich framework for exceptional presentations.
Several presentations particularly resonated with me. Rachel Leigh Taylor’s exploration of interpreter preparation for emergency communications with First Nations groups in the Northern Territory was outstanding. It illuminated the critical importance of properly briefing Aboriginal interpreters before they convey emergency information to their communities. Echo Gao’s discussion of translators’ responsibilities and ethical considerations in our AI-driven era was equally compelling, particularly her insight that we must shift from artificial intelligence to “intelligence augmentation” given AI’s tendency to prioritise fluency over accuracy.
As a court interpreter, I found Tineke Jannink’s evidence-based research invaluable. Her work illuminates the typically opaque decision-making processes interpreters navigate during criminal proceedings. Bede Ngaruko’s presentation on interpreting challenges in refugee settings was also deeply moving. It explored how practitioners can navigate cultural differences while facilitating effective communication for traumatised individuals.
NAATI Chair Magdalena Rowan shared some exciting developments in the Australian T&I field, demonstrating remarkable momentum for meaningful policy changes within our profession. Ali Knott’s examination of AI research and governance implications was equally fascinating. It revealed how machine learning and neural networks have fundamentally transformed linguists’ traditional roles.
Wei Teng and Antonio Viselli presented an intriguing theoretical framework for community translation based on Derrida’s philosophical concept of hospitality, skillfully incorporating non-expert reader feedback into quality assurance and purpose-driven translations. I also really enjoyed Crystelle Jones’ insights on freelance translation business management, as I found her workflow system comparisons from a practitioner’s perspective to be really helpful. Lastly, I learnt a lot from Diana Renker’s comprehensive overview of the subtitling industry, covering everything from specialised skills to essential tools.
I want to acknowledge Isabelle Poff-Pencole’s exceptional service as NZSTI President and now as a FIT Council Member. Her contributions to advancing our profession, both in Aotearoa and internationally, deserve widespread recognition. Congratulations also to NZSTI’s new President, Agustina Marianacci. I am confident the organisation will flourish under her leadership and am looking forward to working with her in the near future.
Language-Specific Virtual Meet & Greet Sessions
As has become tradition, I will host a series of Meet & Greet Sessions in October to provide practitioners with opportunities to network and discuss professional issues in their own language communities. Once again, I’ll be joined by our exceptional National PD Coordinator, Epperly Zhang. Please note that we can accommodate only a limited number of languages for these sessions. Colleagues interested in chairing a Meet & Greet for their language should email me (president@ausit.org) for details. Session times will be announced soon.
As I sign off, I hope this month brings you challenging projects that showcase your cultural and linguistic artistry.
Let us continue to be the vital link that brings people and ideas together across languages.
Thank you for your attention and continued support.
With warmth and gratitude,
Carl Gene Fordham
AUSIT National President
