Meeting:Board (2026-04-21)


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Board meeting

21 April 2026

See also the list of all meetings.


Meeting Details

Date and time: 21 Apr 2026 17:30 GMT+9:30 AEDT/18:00  AEST/17:00  ACDT/17:30  AWST/15:00

Meeting channel: Zoom

Meeting start time 06:08 pm AEDT

Meeting end time 07:51pm AEDT

Meeting objectives

Meeting objectives: Review WikiCon and Strategic Planning day, and make decisions regarding Wikimania, and AIATSIS Summit attendees

Record of attendance

Elliott Bledsoe, Kerry Raymond, Kassi Hays, Shravan Rao, Jeremy Ludlow, Mylee Joseph, Peter Niesh

Apologies:  

Emily Mierisch

Decision
Decision: That the minutes of the Board meeting held on Tuesday 17 March 2026 be accepted as an accurate record of that meeting.
Moved: Kassi Hays; seconded: Peter Neish; outcome: passed
Notes:

Executive Officer’s report

Please find below a summary of key activities and updates from the past month:

Programs and engagements

  • WikiCon Canberra 2026 was a success! There were some technical issues and unfortunately the Owl didn’t always work, but overall feedback has been very positive. Ali has collated responses so far and provided this WikiCon Canberra Feedback Summary, with links in it to the full response data.
  • Partner Projects 2025–2026. Projects progressing with updates expected later this week. AMaGA is behind schedule but Alice is visiting this weekend to run a workshop and check-in.
  • ICIP and IDSov Project: Terri Janke and Company (TJC) presented the draft Guide during WikiCon as part of three sessions outlining the project, how the Guide is intended to work, and gathering feedback from our community for inclusion in the Guide.  Any final feedback to be provided to TJC by 22 April.
  • Australian Wikimania bid: Belinda reached out to Business Events Sydney (equivalent of Melbourne Convention Bureau) and now waiting on response. In the meantime received an unsolicited email from Darwin Convention Centre requesting an opportunity to provide support to WMAU with a bid.  
  • APNIC / Ian Peter archive: On track with Caddie undertaking oral history interviews on 14 May. Considering new opportunities for an “Australian hosted archive” with the new orphan works legislation passed.

Operations and governance

Opportunities

Meetings

Met with:

  • Office for the Arts, including Bryna Bamberry , Lucie Folan, Patricia Adjei and Julia Balkwell
  • Rebecca Bateman, Assistant Director of Indigenous Engagement at NLA
  • David Hampton (Head of Exhibitions & Cultural Collections) regarding AMaGA partner project
  • Biyanto, Feliani, Curtis and Jacqueline regarding ESEAP Hub grant and plans
  • Dianne WM Aotearoa New Zealand
  • Haidee, a CSU 3rd year Librarianship student on placement with us
  • Jacquline Chen met with WMAU Board on Strategic Planning day
Grants
  • N/A

Communications

Social media - March analytics
Total network size by platform as of March 2026
Platform Metric This month Last month Monthly change March 2026 Annual change
X (formerly Twitter) Followers 4401 4424 -23 4137 +264
Facebook Followers 2290 2287 +3 2036 +254
Instagram Followers 864 848 +16 722 +142
Threads Followers 190 183 +8 157 +33
LinkedIn Followers 523 511 +12 401 +122
Mastodon Followers 309 301 +8 248 +61
YouTube Subscribers 318 312 +6 240 +78
Cumulative network size 8895 8866 +29 7830 +1065
Website - March analytics

3 news stories were published on the website in March 2026

Analytics gathered using Matomo (stats.wikimedia.org.au).

Total network size by platform as of March 2026
Metric This month Last month Monthly change March 2025 Annual change
Visits 3327 7515 -38.3% 2205   +50.9%
New visitors 2839 7174 -60.4% 1799 +57.8%
Returning visitors 488 341 +43.1% 406 +20.2%
Page views 4546 3571 3652 +24.5%
Average visit duration 2 min 26s 17s 3 min 31s -30.8%
Most visited page 434

Wikimedia Commons

(WMAU help/info page)

293

Wikimedia Commons

(WMAU help/info page)

292

Wikimedia Commons

(WMAU help/info page)

Email - March analytics - Announce newsletter
Total subscribers and unsubscribes to the Announce monthly newsletter in March 2026
Metric This month Last month Monthly change March 2025 Annual change
Subscribers 529 528 +1 507 +23
Ticketing
Total followers of Humanitix account in March 2026
Metric This month Last month Monthly change March 2025 Annual change
Followers 120 113 +7 77 +43

President’s report

WikiCon

  • Congratulations and huge thanks to the staff on delivering a successful WikiCon in Canberra. Early feedback indicates the event was well received, that the two-day format is supported and that attendees welcomed the event taking place at a cultural institution.

Open Heritage Statement event at UNESCO

Regulatory updates

  • The Copyright Amendment Act 2026 (Cth) has been in force since Thursday 2 April 2026. The Copyright Act 1968 (Cth) has been updated accordingly.
    • It introduces a limitation on remedies for the use of orphan works, clarification that classes can occur in-person, online or hybrid and other minor changes such as updating in the definition of archives to include the Commonwealth and State and Territory archival bodies and clarification that the copyright duration for Crown copyright does not apply to copyright material later acquired by the Commonwealth or a State or Territory.
    • I have written an overview of the orphan works scheme.
  • While the orphan works scheme is an important addition to the Australian copyright system, it will not have an immediate impact on the wiki platforms.
    • While Wikipedia accepts the use of material under fair use in US copyright law, it is unclear at this stage whether following the requirements of the Australian orphan works scheme would constitute a fair use under US copyright law.
    • Wikimedia Commons requires uploaded content to be free of copyright restrictions in both the country of origin and the US. Because the Australian orphan works scheme is a limitation on remedies use of material under the scheme cannot be said to be uninhibited by copyright.
  • The orphan works scheme will also have a significant impact on the quantum of material in the Ian Peter archive that can be made available.

Secretary’s report

Membership

March membership statistics
Total members of WMAU at 31 March 2026
Metric This month Last month Monthly change March 2025 Annual change
Financial members 96 100 -4 86 10
Lapsed memberships 4 0 -4 Not available Not available
Member applications 0 0 0 1 -1

Treasurer’s report

Financial statements

Financial statements tabled:

  • Profit and Loss Statement March 2026
  • Balance Sheet March 2026

Grant expenditure - high level summary

Total Approved Budget: $484,232

Total Expenditure to Date: $389,590

Total Remaining Funds: $94,642

Overall Position

  • Percentage of budget spent: 80.5%
  • Percentage remaining: 19.5%
Strategy/Category Budget allocated ($) Expended ($) Remaining ($) %  remaining
Strategy 1: Engagement (includes WikiCon Canberra) 76,000 61,075 14,925 19.6%
Strategy 2: Equity & Inclusion 24,800 14,385 10,415 42%
Strategy 3: Capacity Building 40,000 33,623 6,377 15%
Staff & Administration 343,432 280,507 62,925 18%
TOTAL $484,232 $389,590 $94,642 19.5%

Planning for Year 2

Jacqueline Chen has requested our Budget resourcing plan for Year 2 of our triennial grant by 30 April. A short extension can be given if necessary. Belinda will work on developing the budget later this week for circulation and approval by the Board.

Legal and Financial Considerations (Wind-up Scenario)

In response to questions during the Strategic Planning Day the following information is provided.  

If Wikimedia Australia were required to wind up, the organisation would firstly need to meet all outstanding liabilities in accordance with the Associations Incorporation Reform Act 2012 (Vic). This includes payment of employee entitlements (such as accrued leave and any applicable long service leave), and settlement of all creditors and contractual obligations. As WMAU has less than 15 employees, it is classified as a small business under the National Employment Standards (NES), which limits certain redundancy pay obligations.

Any surplus assets remaining after liabilities are discharged must be distributed in accordance with the constitution, and cannot be paid to members, but instead transferred to another organisation with similar purposes. Based on current staffing levels and liabilities, no significant additional wind-up costs are anticipated beyond these standard obligations. Employee accrued leave would be the major obligation and we will regularly monitor leave balances to ensure that this is covered.

Useful links

Decision
Decision: That the Treasurer’s report be accepted by the Board.
Moved: Peter Neish; seconded: Kerry Raymond; outcome: Passed
Notes:

Out-of-session decisions

Documenting out-of-session decisions (sometimes called flying minutes).

MOTION BY EMAIL: Support for First Nations participant travel to WikiCon Canberra (20 March 2026)

I propose that Wikimedia Australia fund the purchase of a return flight for Ingrid Cumming, travelling from Perth to Canberra to attend WikiCon Australia 2026.  While the cost of flights falls within my financial delegation, I am bringing this to the Board due to the unique circumstances, budget alterations and strategic importance.

Ingrid is a valued Wikimedia contributor who has been involved in the Noongarpedia project for many years and previously presented as a keynote at WikiCon Adelaide 2024. Her participation will bring important First Nations perspectives to the conference and community, particularly in the context of sessions led by Terri Janke and the broader ICIP and Indigenous Data Sovereignty project. Ensuring First Nations voices are present is critical to the depth and relevance of these discussions.

The Wikimedia Australia budget currently holds an Indigenous Residency budget line (approximately AUD $10,000). As there are no immediate plans to progress an Indigenous Residency until the ICIP & IDSov project is further advanced, I propose that these funds be temporarily redirected for financial year 2025/26, to support this activity under our Indigenous Engagement budget line and priorities. Travel support for Terri Janke at Wikimania (if our proposal for a First Nations panel session on our ICIP Project is accepted) is expected to be covered separately through her own project funding.

Decision
Decision: That Wikimedia Australia approve funding for the purchase of return flights for Ingrid Cumming from Perth to attend WikiCon Australia 2026, to be covered from a redirection of funds to the Indigenous Engagement budget (Equity and Inclusion stream). I recommend approval, noting the strong alignment with our strategic priorities around Indigenous engagement and inclusion.  Very happy to discuss and answer questions.
Moved: Elliott Bledsoe; seconded: Jeremy Ludlow; outcome: passed
Notes:

NOTE: While the motion was passed, Ingrid was unable to attend WikiCon Canberra, so the money was not expended.

Matters for discussion

AIATSIS Summit 2026 -  Board representation

The AIATSIS Summit 2026 will be held from 1–5 June 2026 on the Gold Coast. The Summit is a major national gathering focused on Indigenous knowledge systems, research, and policy.

Terri Janke and Shevaun Wright will be presenting on the ICIP & IDSov Guide for WMAU. Attendance would provide an important opportunity to engage with national First Nations research and policy leaders, strengthen relationships, and support the ongoing development and application of the TJC and Wikimedia Australia project.

It is proposed that Kassi attend as a WMAU Board representative.

Indicative Costs

Conference registration: $2,120 – $2,765 (3 day or 5 day)

Flights (return Canberra–Gold Coast, economy): $450 – $750

Accommodation (5 nights): approx $800 - 1,000

Travel allowance / incidentals: $300

Total estimated cost: $3,670 – $4,815

Decision
Decision: That the Board approve conference registration fee and associated travel costs for Kassi to attend AIATSIS Summit 2026.
Moved: Mylee Joseph; seconded: Shraven Rao; outcome: passed (abstain: Kassi)
Notes:
Action
Action: Belinda and team will work with Kassi to arrange travel and accommodation, and confirm registration. Also ensure alignment with potential First Nations WiR at NGA / NLA, and other future projects.
Assigned to Belinda Spry.

Potential First Nations Wikimedian in Residence joint project NGA / NLA / WMAU

From conversations during WikiCon Canberra, I am in initial discussions with NGA and NLA on a project for a First Nations Wikimedian in Residence located at NGA (and potential support from NLA) using the ICIP &IDSov Guide to support. It will be difficult to undertake this in time remaining this financial year so looking to set this up for the next financial year.  The budget line for Indigenous Residency was reallocated to Indigenous Engagement during March Board meeting, however this remains unspent at $10,000 as Ingrid was unable to attend WikiCon.

Note: Kassi had to leave at 7:00pm AEST

WMAU Wikimania Paris 2026 travel funding support

Registration for Wikimania 2026 sold out within 24 hours with many people on the waitlist. However, the Wikimania COT has advised that they are allocating two places for Australia, which can be allocated to either WMAU Travel Fund recipients or other nominees that we select.

WMAU currently has approximately $5,000 remaining in the Wikimania budget line, which could support one community member to attend Wikimania Paris 2026. If WMAU offers a travel scholarship, proposed conditions should include:

  • Travel routed via Asia (avoiding the Middle East), where feasible
  • Requirement to purchase appropriate travel insurance
  • Consideration of cost variability due to ongoing flight price and availability volatility

WMAU has received the list of Australian applicants who have passed Trust & Safety checks from the Wikimania COT. A small WMAU Travel Funds Selection sub-committee will therefore need to be established to assess and select the recipient. It is proposed that the committee comprise:

  • Two Board members
  • One staff member  (Note: Ali has received a scholarship, and Alice will not attend this year.)  

Additional considerations

Belinda has been advised she will be funded by the ESEAP Hub in her capacity as Chair of the Steering Committee. Her registration will be counted under the ESEAP allocation and not in Australia’s allocation.

If Belinda’s proposed First Nations panel session in the Equity stream is accepted by the Wikimania Program team (expected early May), there may be an opportunity to allocate some Indigenous Engagement funding to support Shevaun Wright (TJC) to attend. This would enable support for Terri Janke in presenting, build relationships within the Wikimedia movement, and support engagement and discussion around the ICIP & IDSov Guide.

If this year is particularly difficult due to travel concerns then we should keep next year, Wikimania Santiago 2027 in Chile in mind and plan for attendance there noting the direct flights from Sydney and Melbourne to Santiago and that Australians don’t need Visas to enter Chile.

Action
Action: subcommittee will be Kerry, Mylee and a staff member.  Will send a Motion by Email to Board for approval of selected Travel funds recipient to expedite process.  Belinda will also keep a watching a brief and prepare a Motion by Email if the First Nations panel proposal is selected for inclusion in the Wikimania program, ready for WMAU Board.
Assigned to Alice Woods.

Park remaining items til next Board meeting in May.

Company Limited by Guarantee (CLG) update

Elliott will provide an update on the Creative Commons proposal and CLG.

WMAU Safe Spaces Policy / WMF Universal Code of Conduct (UCoC)

To progress discussions during the Strategic Planning Day on taking a more proactive approach with training and implementation considerations.  Some free WMF UCoC Training is now available:

  • Overview
  • Module 1: Establish a shared understanding of the UCoC
  • Module 2: Identification and Reporting (UCoC - Violations)
  • Module 3: Complex cases, appeals and closing - DRAFT

Another idea is to fund any of our members who wish to undertake the AIATSIS Core Cultural Learning course (recognising some will have already completed through their workplace) and that WMAU purchase a number of seats/licenses for 2026/27 financial year. Costs are approximately $100-150 per participant, depending on which level of the course they select.

ICIP & IDSov Project with Terri Janke and Company

Key learnings and next steps for WMAU after WikiCon Canberra.

While Terri and her team are incorporating feedback into the Guide and developing the Issues Paper, I have also asked them to look ahead to what Phase 2 might look like.  This could cover short term assistance with strategies in using and promoting the Guide in the immediate future, through to a potential large scale project involving national consultation. I will seek quotes for both of these work packages to inform our budget and resourcing submission to Jacqueline/ ESEAP Regional Funds Committee.  

WikiCon Canberra and Strategic Planning Day reflections

Any final comments or feedback are welcome, and it would be great to hear each Board member's key takeaways.

Policy and procedures

N/A

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