[ASA] Astronomy Australia Ltd (AAL) seeks applications for the AAL Board

Tue Sep 15 11:20:57 AEST 2026

Internal

Dear all,

Astronomy Australia Ltd (AAL) seeks applications for one vacancy on the AAL Board and expressions of interest from candidates who may also meet the criteria for any future Board Appointed Director opportunities.

Astronomy Australia Ltd (AAL) is a not-for-profit company supported by members across Australian universities and research organisations with a significant astronomical research capability. AAL manages the Astronomy Program of the National Collaborative Research Infrastructure Strategy (NCRIS) and oversees management of the Anglo-Australian Telescope (AAT).

AAL’s purpose is to advance the science of astronomy in Australia by supporting achievement of the goals of the 2026-35 Astronomy Decadal Plan – the articulation of the highest priorities of the Australian astronomy community over the coming decade.

In particular, we seek to secure national access to groundbreaking astronomy facilities, build Australian capacity, and work with organisations in Australia which manage national astronomy facilities. We also seek to collaborate with partners to ensure astronomy enables a thriving community. Our vision is for Australian astronomy to have access to the world’s best research infrastructure to conduct groundbreaking science, support Australian industry and innovation, and deliver impact for society.

AAL is governed by an independent Board of Directors. At the conclusion of the AAL Annual General Meeting (AGM) on 26 November 2026, the term of Prof Paul Lasky will expire, creating one vacancy on the Board to be filled by election by the Members. Prof Paul Lasky is eligible to seek re-election. The AAL Constitution requires the Members to seek a Board that collectively has experience in astronomical research broadly consistent with the Astronomy Decadal Plan, along with a range of skills and experiences relevant to a company focused on national and international research infrastructure collaboration.

To complement the skills and expertise of the ongoing Directors, the AAL Nomination Committee is interested in candidates who possess at least a basic understanding of the Australian astronomy ecosystem and can demonstrate a depth of senior experience in one or more of the following areas:

  *   Gravitational wave detection and high-energy astrophysics;
  *   Government engagement and public policy experience;
  *   Data centres, artificial intelligence, machine learning, and software systems relevant to astronomy;
  *   Corporate governance, finance, audit, legal affairs, and risk and compliance; and
  *   Advancement, fundraising, and philanthropy within the scientific and research sectors.

As part of its succession planning, the Board may consider using the Board Appointed Director provisions in the Constitution to address any remaining skills or experience gaps following the 2026 AGM election.

This may include, for example, finance, audit and risk management expertise to support an orderly transition in the leadership of the Audit and Risk Management Committee ahead of the anticipated retirement of Sue Weston at the 2027 AGM.

Any such appointment would be considered separately by the Board in early 2027, but only in relation to a candidate who had applied through the 2026 Nomination Committee process, been approved by the Nomination Committee, and met the Constitutional criteria for appointment as a Board Appointed Director.

Commitments from AAL Board members
To be considered as a candidate for a position as a non-executive Director with AAL, you should be aware of the following criteria:

  *   Non-executive Directors elected by the Members are elected for a three-year term. The AAL Constitution also permits the Board to appoint up to two Board Appointed Directors for a term of up to three years where the Board has identified one or more deficiencies in its composition having regard to the skills and experience sought under the Constitution, and where the proposed Director’s skills and experience would appropriately address an identified deficiency. Board Appointed Directors must be approved by the Nomination Committee before appointment.

  *   Attendance is required at four Board meetings that take place each year, in February (one full day), May (one full day), August (two days, in conjunction with the annual strategy session) and November (one-and-a-half days, in conjunction with the AGM). Meetings are either face-to-face, held usually in Canberra or Melbourne, or virtual.

  *   In addition to Board meetings and other conference calls scheduled throughout the year as required, non-executive directors typically participate on one or two committees, and occasionally on overseas committees.

  *   Non-executive directors are remunerated on the basis of their anticipated time commitments and receive a fixed fee plus superannuation on a periodic basis (monthly) throughout each year. Most activity occurs around the quarterly Board meetings.

Applications
If you consider yourself well placed to contribute to the Board via your expertise and ideas, please email the Company Secretary, Catherine Andrews<mailto:catherine.andrews at astronomyaustralia.org.au> with a one-page letter and one-page CV demonstrating:

  *   An understanding of the Australian astronomy ecosystem and relevant expertise, including one or more of the areas listed above;
  *   an understanding of board functions, roles and responsibilities;
  *   why you want to join the Board of AAL; and,
  *   any relevant conflicts of interest.

AAL is committed to equity and diversity and encourages applications from under-represented groups.

The deadline for applications is Tuesday, 20 October at 9:00 AM AEDT.  Late applications will not be accepted.

Applications will be reviewed by the Nomination Committee. In accordance with the AAL Constitution, candidates must be approved by the Nomination Committee before they may be nominated for election by the Members or appointed by the Board. The outcome of the election for the single vacancy will be announced at the 2026 AAL AGM. Any future Board Appointed Director appointment would be considered separately by the Board, after Nomination Committee approval, and only where the Constitutional criteria for such an appointment are met.

Queries can be made to either Dr Alexander Cooke<mailto:alexander.cooke at astronomyaustralia.org.au>, Chief Executive Officer, or Prof Joss Bland-Hawthorn<mailto:jonathan.bland-hawthorn at sydney.edu.au>, Nomination Committee Chair.

Kind regards,
Catherine

______________________________________________
Catherine Andrews BA (Hons) AGIA ACG
Director of Administration/Company Secretary
Astronomy Australia Ltd

T: (03) 9214 5854
E: catherine.andrews at astronomyaustralia.org.au<mailto:catherine.andrews at astronomyaustralia.org.au>
W: astronomyaustralia.org.au
P: P.O. Box 2100  Hawthorn  VIC 3122

Please note that I do not work on Wednesdays

I respectfully acknowledge the Wurundjeri People of the Kulin Nation, who are the Traditional Owners of the land on which AAL’s Melbourne office is located, and pay my respect to their Elders past, present and emerging.
[cid:image001.png at 01DD4504.46E6CEE0]

-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://mailman.sydney.edu.au/pipermail/asa/attachments/20260915/ef72ed69/attachment.htm>
-------------- next part --------------
A non-text attachment was scrubbed...
Name: image001.png
Type: image/png
Size: 918296 bytes
Desc: image001.png
URL: <http://mailman.sydney.edu.au/pipermail/asa/attachments/20260915/ef72ed69/attachment.png>