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<p class="xmsonormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:black">Dear colleagues,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="xmsonormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="xmsonormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:black">The National Committee for Astronomy (NCA) at the Australian Academy of Science is currently engaged in formal strategic planning for the 2026–2035 Decadal Plan for Australian Astronomy. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="xmsonormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="xmsonormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:black">We now invite individuals who are part of the Australian astronomical community and are keen to actively contribute to the comprehensive planning of the next decadal plan
<b>to submit expressions of interest for joining and/or leading working groups</b>.<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>This is a valuable opportunity to shape the future of Australian astronomy.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="xmsonormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="xmsonormal"><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:black;background:white"> </span></span><span class="contentpasted0"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:black;background:white">Please read the attached document,
which outlines the expectations and details of working groups, and the timeline for developing the whitepapers. </span></span><span class="contentpasted1"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:black;background:white">We have taken on board the valuable feedback
from the community in determining the working group structure. </span></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:black"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="xmsonormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="xmsonormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:black">The <b>deadline for submitting your expressions of interest is<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>4:00 p.m. AEDT on Friday, 20 October</b>. You can complete this process<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><a href="https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/6t7UCmO5glupVj36kuGpfEv?domain=science.org.au">online</a>.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="xmsonormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:black"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="xmsonormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:black">For any </span><span style="font-size:12.0pt">e<span style="color:black">nquiries or clarifications, please do not hesitate to reach out to the Chair of the National Committee for Astronomy, Professor
Virginia Kilborn (<a href="mailto:vkilborn@swin.edu.au">vkilborn@swin.edu.au</a>).<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="xmsonormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:black"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="xmsonormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:black">We appreciate your interest and commitment to the advancement of Australian astronomy. Your input and expertise are instrumental in crafting the forthcoming decadal plan.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="xmsonormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:black"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="xmsonormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:black">Kind regards<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="xmsonormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:black">Professor Virginia Kilborn<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="xmsonormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:black">Chair, National Committee for Astronomy<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="xmsonormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
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