AUSIT National Conference 2023

Accompanied by the AUSIT Gala Dinner,
the Jill Blewett Memorial Lecture and the NAGM

The New South Wales Branch have the pleasure of inviting you to AUSIT’s 2023 National Conference. This year’s theme is:

‘Building bridges, strengthening alliances: Translation and interpreting in today’s connected world’

KEYNOTES and JBML

The Hon. Justice François Kunc

… was appointed to the Supreme Court of NSW in 2013. He sits in the Equity Division, and is also the General Editor of the Australian Law Journal and an Adjunct Professor in the School of Law and Justice, Southern Cross University. Raised in a multilingual migrant home, his Honour was on the committee which drafted the Australian National Standards for Working with Interpreters in Courts and Tribunals. Justice Kunc will deliver a keynote address on conducting proceedings with interpreters.

Associate Professor Erika Gonzalez

… is an Associate Professor in T&I at RMIT University, Melbourne and a senior fellow of Advance HE, a UK-based organisation focused on improving higher education standards. Erika has taught T&I at both post- and undergraduate level for 20 years, and her research focuses on the professionalisation of community T&I. She was the AUSIT National President from 2019–2022, and is also an active conference interpreter and translator. Erika will deliver a keynote address on community translation protocols and translator tools.

JILL BLEWETT MEMORIAL LECTURE

Rob Aurbach

This year’s JBML speaker is a lawyer and a highly experienced regulator and consultant. His recent survey of Queensland-based NAATI–credentialled interpreters, conducted in conjunction with the University of Queensland, documented concerns about the sustainability of the profession. Attracting attention across Australia, it led to Rob’s engagement with leaders in both interpreting and government. Rob will start the lecture with a review of the survey and place it in the context of other studies, moving on to review the procurement of interpreter services and working arrangements across Australia, providing a perspective on the current situation nationally. Current reform initiatives will be discussed, as will the opportunities offered and dangers posed by each.

REGISTRATION, ACCOMMODATION, ETC.

** YOU’RE NOT TOO LATE TO BE AN EARLY BIRD! **

** Substantial discounts apply until 31 July. **

For information on the program, registration and accommodation, the Welcome Cocktail and Gala Dinner click here, and if you have questions feel free to email the Conference Organiser.

If you have time, why not arrive a few days early or stay on afterwards to explore the city and its surrounds. Organising Committee member Marcia Almeida and student member Mina Kim share their top local tips:

• Take your togs down to Marrinawi Cove, Sydney’s new harbour swimming spot in the regenerated parklands of Barangaroo.

• Explore an eclectic mix of regenerated bushland and objets trouvés in Wendy Whiteley’s Secret Garden, Lavender Bay – perfect for a picnic at sunset.

• Keen walkers can take in both of the above on a long day circumambulating Sydney Harbour: the Seven Bridges Walk. Another favourite of Sydneysiders is the Spit Bridge to Manly Walk.

• Experience the works of one of Sydney’s most famous artists in his former home and workspace, Brett Whiteley Studio. Wendy (above) was Brett’s wife and muse.

• If you enjoy browsing, head to Mitchell Road Antique & Design Centre, a sprawling warehouse packed with preloved homewares, collectables and clothing at affordable prices.

• Take a long day trip to the Blue Mountains … or stay overnight to enjoy sunset views of Jamison Valley, the Three Sisters and the surrounding sandstone cliffs from Echo Point Lookout after the tourist buses have gone, then set out on one of the area’s range of bushwalks next morning.

• For another fun day trip, take a train south to Kiama and check out its famous blowhole, then stroll north along Bombo Beach and into the fantastic rockscapes of the heritage-listed Bombo Quarry.