This year has been filled with opportunities all around the country to share, learn and be inspired. There is much to be celebrated as KMEIA Branches and Chapters continued to provide high quality support, professional learning and resources for music educators in diverse settings. Branches recently held their AGMs and on behalf of all members, I would like to sincerely thank outgoing committee members who have generously volunteered their time and expertise to serve KMEIA and our community. I also welcome new committee members and wish them well.

There are also many national successes to be proud of this year. Some of the year’s highlights are listed below:

• A hugely successful 2018 Kodály National Conference in Perth – New Horizons: Diverse Perspectives, Shared Journey
• Australian Kodály Certificate Courses ran in Adelaide, Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Perth and Malaysia
• 40 Years of KMEIA National publications were made available FREE online
• Branches and National Council approved and began implementing the KMEIA 2018-2022 Strategic Plan
• A revised AKC Lecturer Mentoring and Accreditation Policy was adopted with the establishment of a National Mentoring Fund
• A FREE student membership trial commenced
• A revised KMEIA Inc. Constitution was adopted
• KMEIA actively engaged with the Don’t Stop the Music campaign including representation at the Parliamentary Screening in Canberra

Our KMEIA community is filled with passionate, hardworking and inspiring people. This year we celebrate many outstanding achievements: 

• Gail Godfrey was announced as the recipient of the 2019 International Katalin Forrai Award
• Jodie O’Regan released her 2016 Australian Kodály Scholarship project, Singing the Dots
• Donna Cianciosi was announced as the 2018 Australian Kodály Scholarship recipient and Rose Bloom was announced as the 2018 Enid Scott Conference Award recipient
• Honorary Life Member Dr Doreen Bridges AM FACE celebrated her 100^th Birthday
• Honorary Life Members Mark O’Leary and Dr James Cuskelly received the Order of Australia Medal
• Member Judy Fromyhr completed her Doctor of Philosophy studies at the University of Queensland whose research investigated recognised leaders in Colourstrings, including our Patron Professor Géza Szilvay
• Honorary Life Membership was award to: Rose Bloom (NSW), Celia Christmas (WA), Sally Christmas (WA), Anne Comiskey (QLD), Jill Green (QLD), Maree Hennessy (QLD), Tess Laird (QLD), Julie Logan (NSW), Anne O’Regan (QLD), Debbie O’Shea (QLD) Lois Pagano (QLD) and David Reid (SA)

I hope you are able to take some time over the holiday period to reflect on this past year and all the success it has brought. If you completed all your levels for the Australian Kodály Certificate or Award, you might like to take advantage of this time to complete your final application. As we look ahead to next year, remember that submissions for the 2019 International Kodály Symposium in Malaysia close soon. As you begin to plan your 2019 professional development, check out our website as many events for 2019 are already listed.

On behalf of the National Council, I wish you a restful and joyous festive season with family and friends. We look forward to continuing to work together in the new year as we aspire for quality music education for all.

Best wishes

Jason Goopy
President
Kodály Music Education Institute of Australia (KMEIA) Inc.
www.kodaly.org.au