Vertical Transmission

I will begin this Vertical Transmission by highlighting the links between the ASM National Executive and our State branches, and the steps we are taking to strengthen interactions between these important ASM groups. I recently spent a few days visiting with our South Australian/Northern Territory branch representatives. We discussed matters that are important to local members, and new initiatives that the national executive is implementing. I am visiting our Queensland branch in November and our Western Australian branch in December for similar discussions, and we continue to hold National-State tele-meetings four times a year. At this important time of change in our discipline ASM wants to provide members with the strongest possible support, and we welcome new ideas about how ASM can serve you better.

While in Adelaide I also met with members of the local organising committee for our national meeting in Adelaide in 2019. The conference venue is magnificent and excellent for our meeting, and the scientific program is equally excellent. The meeting will be held from 30 June to 3 July 2019 – please add the dates to your diary.

I am always impressed by the generosity of our members and how much time and effort they expend in promoting Microbiology. On 4 July I visited Science Alive! at the Adelaide showgrounds. The Microbiology stand, which was sponsored by ASM, was fantastic and drew tremendous public interest – children had great fun with some very imaginative activities. I include a few photos below of the Microbiology stand. I am delighted to have attended, it was a terrific event and I would like to personally thank all of our members who give their time to organise and participate in events such as this one.

Finally, I draw your attention to the AusMe (Australian Microbial Ecology) conference being held 11–13 February 2019 in Western Australia. AusMe is an ASM initiative, and the first meeting in 2017 was a wonderful success. The meeting next year is sure to be even better than the first one, so please do attend if you have an interest in any aspect of microbial ecology.

Please visit our website: www.theasm.org.au to access information regarding upcoming meetings and awards. Do look at all of our new awards, and encourage your colleagues to apply for them, or nominate others; most are due in late March. We have increased the number and range of our awards, and are committed to inclusion and promoting diversity; our awards embrace these ideals.

You may also like to follow, and contribute to ASM on Twitter, @AUSSOCMIC, or on Facebook to make sure you keep up with the latest news, trends and developments in Microbiology in Australia and around the world.