Australian Geography Teachers Association

AGTA News 2015

AGTA Membership

Membership of AGTA: as of the last board meeting in October with a new constitution; AGTA now has 15 directors. These consist of two directors from each member affiliate, one being the President of the Affiliate Association and the other being nominated by the affiliate. Individuals can only make representation to AGTA and connect with your local associations. New South Wales Northern Territory Queensland South Australia Tasmania Victoria Western Australia through their association to bring issues to the national attention. AGTA exists as a national body representing the interests of Geography Teachers across Australia. If you have an issue that you believe would merit national attention you can raise it through your local state Geography Association. You can inquire about membership. In addition AGTA have a range of resources available to support the teaching of Geography and they can be investigated here. AGTA continues to support the work of the AAAE as a peak body representing Education Associations. They are an active group and have produced several positions papers on a range of contemporary issues in education which are useful professional reading. AGTA has developed an Action Plan:

  • Posters – development of a new set of classroom posters. These will be available for purchase from Affiliates and directly from AGTA
  • AGTA Roadshow — further implementation of the travelling roadshow to support the implementation of geography in the classroom. The aim is to offer the roadshow in each state as many times as required
  • Textbook – AGTA is seeking to produce a text book to support the implementation of the AC:Geography. This will help support the development of the key skills and inquiry methodology.
  • Brochure – the development of a reproducible resource for use in schools advocating for the range of careers that the study of Geography can support. Useful in subject counselling and careers events. √ Work with RGSQ regarding the Geography competition in order to further develop the project and to initiate a primary school version.
  • Response to HASS — AGTA has already developed a response to the AC: Geography review and is continuing to respond to the push for a single HASS curriculum. The AGTA Board will monitor and respond to further developments.

Tim Costello to continue as AGTA Patron

AGTA is delighted to announce that Tim Costello AO has agreed to continue in the role of patron. Tim has a long standing interest in the promotion of geography as a key part of the curriculum in developing active citizens who are willing to strive against inequality in any level. You can read more about Tim here along with some of the articles he has contributed in support of geography.

Don Biddle Award — Wayne Sutton

The Don Biddle Friend of Geography Award is named in honour of the founding president of AGTA, Dr Don Biddle. The Award is made by the AGTA Board based on the recommendation of a selection committee comprising three members of the Board. Current serving members of the AGTA Board are not eligible to receive the award. It was awarded posthumously to Wayne Sutton in recognition of the enormous contribution he made to AGTA and to the consolidation of geography within Tasmania.