Election as President of Linux Australia
Mon, Jan 17 2005
Linux Australia is the national association for Linux developers and users, and is a high-profile organisation which runs the annual Australian Linux Technical Conference: one of three major, international grass-roots Open Source conferences worldwide.
Linux Australia is active in political lobbying on issues directly affecting the Australian software development industry, such as the recent US Free Trade Agreement and the legality of software patents.
Linux Australia also financially contributes to a number of local projects and initiatives such as Computerbank, which collects unwanted computers and reconfigures them with Open Source software before distributing them to underprivileged families. Computerbank aims to reduce the effects of the "digital divide" that is developing in Australia as children in underprivileged families grow up without the opportunity to learn about computers. While immediate needs such as jobs, housing, food and medical treatment dominate most social improvement initiatives, Computerbank sees lack of access to computers to be a critical long-term factor in future employability and aims to assist families gain access to a computer when it would otherwise be beyond their reach.
Linux Australia is managed by an executive committee who are voted in annually by association members. In early January the elections were held and in a very strange twist of fate and to my total surprise I was elected President!
When I step into the new role in early February I will become responsible for overseeing the direction of the organisation and acting as spokesman for the Linux community within Australia.
I'm honoured to be entrusted with such an important position within a community that is so well endowed with outstanding over-achievers.