Yes, we're back! After a short hiatus, the AIPA newsletter is up and running again. Our aim is twofold: to keep members and other interested parties informed of all things archaeological and to provide an outlet for members to promote their activities and express their concerns about current practice and outcomes. So without further ado, here is the news!
                                                                                                 ~ Phillippa Sutherland

The Australian Institute of Professional Archaeologists (AIPA) was founded in 1998, as a national organisation representing the interests of all Australian-based professionals engaged in the field of archaeology. Our organisation consists of an Executive Committee, Council and various specialist committees. Our members come from every sphere of archaeological practice (consultants, academics, government employees and students) and many locations across this wide brown land. Executive Committee elections are looming large but at present these are the people running the show.

President

Dr Roger Luebbers (Luebbers and Associates)

Vice President

Andrew Long (Andrew Long and Associates)

Secretary

Tara Debney

Treasurer

Oona Nicolson (Biosis Research)

Membership Secretary

Thomas Richards (Aboriginal Affairs Victoria)

Teaching Representatives

Dr Ian McNiven (Melbourne University)

Dr Jane Lydon (La Trobe University)

Consultant Representatives

Phillippa Sutherland (Phillippa Sutherland-Heritage Services)

Petra Schell (Andrew Long and Associates)

State Agency Representatives

Dr Leah McKenzie (Heritage Victoria)

Honorary Representatives

Mike McIntyre (Heritage Victoria)

Student Representatives

Anna Light (La Trobe University)

John Hyett (La Trobe University)

Our mission is to promote professionalism in archaeology by supporting members in their bid to upgrade the conditions and outcomes of their practice. The days when Joe Blow could grow a beard and call himself an archaeologist are numbered, as are the days of eking out a living as a divided and vulnerable minority. Our means of fulfilling our mission are manifold, ongoing and include:

• Monthly meetings of the Council and Executive Committee
• Promoting the AIPA Code of Ethics
• Developing a National Register of Consulting Archaeologists
• Annual Forum
• Workshops
• AIPA newsletter
• AIPA representation within the wider heritage sphere and media
• Mediation and support for members in need
• Social Events

Many AIPA initiatives will ultimately find their way onto our web site which is coming close to fruition due to a gratifying influx of funds from our latest Forum and BBQ. A website is being developed to provide a lasting interface between the Institute and the diverse range of people wanting to know more about the business affecting archaeologists in Australia. Our aim with the site is to present information of interest to professional archaeologists and provide an efficient means of linking service providers with those looking for a particular service. Subdivisions appearing on the homepage now being reviewed are :

The Consultants Register is shaping up nicely. At present we are finalising the Register's design and role along with strategies for promoting the Register nationwide. Once these issues have been addressed, all members will be invited to apply for registration. Stay tuned for further developments.

The Institute wishes to promote professionalism in all archaeological activity through a range of public and professional forums. Earlier this year Dr Jane Lydon was appointed to represent AIPA on the Archaeological Advisory Committee, and we have submitted names for a position reserved for archaeologists on the Heritage Council of Victoria which is coming up for renewal in the near future. Submissions have also been made in support of the appeal from the Willandra Lakes World Heritage Area Three Traditional Tribal Groups Elders Council for an apology for the publication of images of human remains from Lake Mungo. Due to an explosion in her teaching commitments next term, Jane will be stepping down from this significant position and a replacement is being sought. We acknowledge Jane's outstanding contribution to this important function of the Institute.

Building on the warm reception to Forum 2001 (see Phillippa's review below), Council has discussed ways to make the event more informative and all-embracing within the context of an all-day conference. We believe that timing plays an important part in ensuring a full attendance, and for this reason conferences in the future will be held in March.

Several excellent suggestions for the next forum theme from participants have been discussed by Council under the theme of "Professional Responsibility". Here are a few sub-themes being considered.

• Reconciling growth with heritage conservation techniques and rationale for saving it more intelligently, and what role can archaeologists play?
• Maintaining the responsibility of publication to reach the widest audience: making good information go further.
• Developing relationships with the community within ethical and social constraints: self censorship and various moral dilemmas.
• The ethics of digging and developing sites for tourism: is there a middle ground?
• Rising career expectations: affording archaeological activity in an uncertain economic climate: avoiding the syndrome of winners and losers.

Membership numbers are up on last year's total of 34, to 40, an 18% increase. The membership category profile has changed slightly from last year in percentage terms, however, the rank order remains the same with Members being the most frequent category by far, followed by Fellows and Associates.

The employment profile of the AIPA membership has changed somewhat from last year. In terms of the rank order of employment categories, consulting is still the most frequent category. University employment is still second, although government employment has moved up from fourth place last year to equal second this year. Other notable changes are the relative decrease in representation by university students and the appearance of museums as an employer.

Two new membership categories have been recommended by Council:

Honorary Fellow: in recognition of outstanding contributions to the field of archaeology during a lasting association with Australia. Honorary Fellows would be non-voting members, however, there would be no annual membership fees and all membership benefits and discounts would be available.

Affiliate Member: for specialists who undertake research in conjunction with archaeologists (e.g. physical anthropologists, geomorphologists, historians, architects, physicists, etc.). Affiliates would be non-voting members, annual membership fees would be set at a level equivalent to Associate Members and all membership benefits and discounts would be available.

The proposed membership categories have been approved by the Executive and Council and will be offered for ratification through a Special Resolution by the entire membership at the forthcoming AGM.

This report is preliminary as the financial year is not yet complete. Income for the year totalled $4489.00 and was derived from membership subscriptions, the BBQ and knapping workshop held in March and the AIPA Forum, also held in March 2001. The BBQ and workshop generated $164.00 and the Forum generated $2615.00. Membership subscriptions totalled $1710.00.

Outgoings for the year totalled $1197.47, with the BBQ and workshop costs totalling $361.47, the Forum, $577.50 and the miscellaneous costs such as the rental of the Post office box and Internet access costing $258.50.

The current bank balance is $4418.49. There are some minor transactions still to take place, including incorporation of the cash float and bank interest calculations to take place on June 30, 2001 after which a complete report can be submitted.

Here's the latest from Ian McNiven's (Melbourne University) exciting, ongoing work in Torres Strait. In April 2000, he recorded the Kabadul Kula rock-art site on Dauan Island with Dr Bruno David (Monash Uni) and Prof John Brayer (Uni of New Mexico). This site, located just off the PNG coast, is the largest and most complex rock-art site known for the Straits. Part of the site was painted by Papuans during a head-hunting raid (the mind boggles). Digital enhancement of paintings revealed images invisible to the naked eye.

In August, Ian, Ricky Feldman (Honours student) and members of the Yam Island community excavated a Dugong bone mound on Tudu Island. The site dates to around 1910 and appears to be associated with dugong hunting. Findings included clay pipes, lumps of red ochre, copper nails, flaked bottle glass and would you believe a piece of an American brass clock. Do these findings point to an increase in ceremonies? Our man Ian is still pondering the question.