On behalf of Kodály Australia, I write offering our best wishes for this year’s festive season. As we reflect on 2019, there is much to be celebrated. Kodály Australia Branches and Chapters continued to provide excellent professional learning opportunities, valuable resources and encouraging support. There are also many national achievements, including:
- A national rebranding to Kodály Australia
- The public release of our 2018-2022 Strategic Plan overview
- The publication of the Australian Kodály Certificate Curriculum 2019
- Developments to the Australian Kodály Certificate application process
- Australian Kodály Certificate Courses offered in Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne and Malaysia
- Our FREE student membership trial continued and expanded
Our community is filled with so many passionate, hardworking and inspiring people. In 2019, we celebrated:
- Gail Godfrey who was awarded the International Katalin Forrai Award at the 2019 International Kodály Symposium in Kuching, Malaysia
- Honorary Life Membership awarded to Hélène Matters (QLD) and Gail Godfrey (QLD)
- Dr James Cuskelly OAM who completed his term as President of the International Kodály Society
- Australian presentations at the 2019 International Kodály Symposium: Katchia Avenell, Jason Boron, Dr Michael Bradshaw, Ebony Birch-Hanger, Jenny Ferris, Jennifer Gillian, Jason Goopy, Johnathon Goulter, Renee Heron, Tess Laird, Sarah Landis, Kai-Stefanie Lorimer, Kathleen Plastow, Rosalie Scott, Peter Shanhun, Rebecca Thomas, Carla Trott, Anna van Veldhuisen and Kerryn Vezos
We also encouraged and supported participation in the data collection process for doctoral research projects being conducted by members Meagan Pearse and Anna van Veldhuisen.
Behind the scenes, plans are already underway for a number of 2020 initiatives. In January, applications and nominations for our biennial Scholarships and Awards Suite will open for the:
- Australian Kodály Scholarship – $3000 towards an original resource which will be made available online for free
- Enid Scott Conference Award – recognising exemplary voluntary service and providing financial assistance towards conference attendance
- Inaugural Deanna Hoermann Scholarship – $3000 towards postgraduate study aboard
Make sure you have started making plans to attend the 2020 Kodály Australia Conference from 28 September to 1 October to be held in Canberra. You are spoiled for choice with AKC courses running in Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth, Sydney and Malaysia. This is of course in addition to our usual Branch and Chapter offerings. Check out our website as many events for 2020 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 to make a positive difference to the lives of all our students in and through music education.
Best wishes
Jason Goopy
President
Kodály Australia
(Kodály Music Education Institute of Australia Incorporated)
www.kodaly.org.au