Council
ASSA Council
The Council is responsible for the governance and administration of the Astronomical Society of South Australia. Council members are volunteers who help keep ASSA's meetings, observing sites, communications, membership services, outreach, education, publications, and digital systems running for members and the wider community.
Current Council
Officers
President
Gerhard Velaitis
Chairs Council, represents ASSA, guides strategic priorities, and helps coordinate major Society decisions and projects.
Vice President
Scott Gregory
Supports the President, contributes to key Society activities, and chairs meetings when needed.
Secretary
Ian Furness
Keeps Council records, manages correspondence, supports meeting administration, and responds to general governance enquiries.
Treasurer
Ian Barrie
Manages ASSA's financial records, payments, accounts, and regular financial reporting to Council.
Membership Officer
Nicola Hughes
Maintains membership records, supports new and renewing members, and reports membership matters to Council.
Communications Officer
Mary Martinaitis
Coordinates member and public communications, including Society notices and campaign-style updates.
Bulletin Officer
Jarrod Rueff
Produces and publishes The Bulletin, ASSA's monthly member publication, and supports publication-related website content.
Website Officer
Scott Gregory
Develops, manages, and maintains ASSA's website presence, including timely publication of relevant content.
Astronomy Outreach Officer
Ian Somerville
Coordinates school, group, and community outreach activities and reports outreach outcomes to Council.
Facilities & Observing Sites Officer
Lyn Grida
Helps keep ASSA observing sites, facilities, equipment, and site access arrangements practical and safe.
Astronomy Education Officer
Colin Hill
Develops and presents astronomy education content for members and the public, including practical beginner support.
Digital Services Officer
David Rowlands
Oversees ASSA's digital services, software, online accounts, and related technical infrastructure.
Young Astronomers' Officer
Saxon Schapel
Develops strategies and programs to engage and support young people interested in astronomy and space science.
Councillors
Councillor
Ken Grant
Provides general Council support and contributes to Society projects, governance discussions, and member services.
Councillor
Bryan Kirchner
Provides general Council support and contributes experience across meetings, member activities, and Society operations.
Councillor
Julie Klau
Provides general Council support and contributes to governance, policy, and current Council project work.
Councillor
Rosemary Prentice
Provides general Council support and contributes to member-facing projects, Society activities, and operational planning.
2027 Council roles
Nominations are invited for the 2027 ASSA Council. The duties below are reproduced from the nomination form under the new Constitution approved on 2 September 2026.
President and Vice President
- The President will chair all General, and Council meetings of the Society.
- The President, in collaboration with the Secretary shall arrange the business of the meetings as part of their duties
- In the absence of the President, the Vice President will chair
- In the absence of the Vice President, the Chairperson will be appointed by the Council members present at the meeting.
Immediate Past President (not elected)
- The Immediate Past President will hold a Council position for one year immediately following completion of their term of office as President.
- Provides an advisory role to Council and the incoming President.
- Provides continuity to Council proceedings.
- Has full voting rights on the Council.
Secretary
- The Secretary will have the following duties:
- Keep the minutes of the General meetings of the Society and Council
- In collaboration with the President, arrange the business of meetings
- Manage correspondence
- Digitise attendance sheets and other documentation for storage for statutory requirements
- Maintain Society records as directed by Council
- Generally act under instructions of Council.
Membership Officer
- The membership Officer will have the following duties:
- Maintain accurate membership records
- Respond to membership enquiries
- Provide membership reports to Council
- Maintain and distribute membership forms
- Send welcome emails to new members
- Support welcome activities for new members
- Generally act under the direction of Council.
Treasurer
- The Treasurer will have the following duties:
- Receive all monies due to the Society and lodge in the Society’s bank account
- Pay all monies owed by the Society
- Prepare accounts, balance sheets, profit and loss statements, and other financial statements as required
- Maintain the Society’s asset register
- Prepare audited financial statements to be presented to members at the Annual General Meeting
- Submit the annual NFP self-review return to the Australian Taxation Office
- Generally act under the direction of Council
- In the absence of the Treasurer, Council may temporarily appoint another Council member to undertake the duties of Treasurer
- No member of the Council shall be eligible to serve as auditor.
Communications Officer
- The Communications Officer will have the following duties:
- Maintain the accuracy of the sources of information for dissemination to members and the public through all media channels
- They will apply copy writing and editing skills to ensure information is of a high standard
- They will maintain the Society’s calendar of events and notify members of events by email, digital media or in person
- Encourage ASSA membership through media channels
- Generally act under the direction of the Council.
Bulletin Officer
- The Bulletin Officer will be responsible for the production and publication of The Bulletin.
- The Officer will comply with National eDeposit (NED) requirements
- The Officer will generally act under the direction of Council.
Astronomy Outreach Officer
- The Astronomy Outreach Officer will have the following duties:
- Responsibility for planning all of the Society’s outreach events and activities
- Develop public engagement strategies
- Co-opt volunteers to attend events and engage with members of the public
- Promote the Society to the public by providing information about the benefits of becoming a member, including Institutional Memberships for schools/organisations
- Encourage ASSA memberships through the provision of Information packs and ASSA leaflets
- Generally act under the direction of Council.
Facilities and Observing Sites Officer
- The Facilities and Observing Sites Officer will have the following duties:
- Responsibility for ensuring all the Society’s observing sites and facilities are safe
- Ensuring the equipment at the Society’s facilities are functional through regular inspections
- Maintain site specific documentation, equipment registers, maintenance records and site safety information
- Generally act under the direction of Council.
Events Officer
- Organise member events and public events
- Co-opt volunteers and oversight volunteer duties at public and member events at ASSA observing sites
- Generally act under the direction of Council.
Digital Services Officer
- The Digital Services Officer will have the following duties:
- Responsibility for the operation and management of the Society’s digital infrastructure including all software licenses and online security
- Management of online event management platforms (e.g., Eventbrite)
- Generally act under the direction of Council.
Also: Up to 5 general Councillors.