Barber’s departure raises questions
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WHY would a vice-chancellor resign six months after accepting a new five year contract?
Much has happened over the last few years at UNE. Would the following have contributed to the resignation?
The disaster of the autocratically imposed Pearson agreement?
Failure to negotiate an EBA for academic staff after 18 months; still no offer on the table from the administration?
Imposition of trimesters without consultation on an unwilling staff and an unhappy town?
Or simply the conflict of saying the university’s future is with external students, while at the same time gouging an unfair fee from external students for undefined and unsupplied student services?
Hopefully the new chancellor with a new vice-chancellor will be able to turn the tide.
Colin Hargreaves
Armidale
Mayor and GM feud bad for finances
IN THE Sydney Morning Herald Tuesday, page 29 Business Section, Harvey Grennan wrote “About half a dozen council general managers resign or are sacked each year in NSW, usually because they do not get on with the mayor and the ruling bloc and usually with a big payout at ratepayers expense.”
With this in mind could Laurie Bishop please let the ratepayers of Armidale know approximately how much a payout to the current general manager would amount to if he was to be removed from office so we can decide if it is wise to put the council financials even further in the red?
I think Laurie Bishop might further consider the screed in The Herald in which Harvey Grennan writes “The argument that leads to this situation (the removal of the GM) is generally over who is the “real” chief executive.
Changes to the Local Government Act in 1993 gave general managers the right to hire, control and fire staff, and responsibility for day-to-day management. Mayors and councillors are sometimes accused of meddling in such operational matters. …”
No doubt some management changes are necessary – all businesses need constant review – but the squabbling and nastiness is underwhelming. How about some positive action from all?
Thea Harris
Armidale
Cultural night a big hit with community
OPERA New England held its second production La Boheme in Armidale over the Australia Day weekend.
The four performances were sold-out.
The model adopted by Opera New England to cast up and coming conservatorium singers is unique in Australia and perhaps the world. We have something very special here in Armidale and the community attended in droves. The opera drew audiences from across the New England region, Brisbane and Roma, NSW north coast, NSW central west, Newcastle, Sydney, Melbourne, Geelong and Hobart.
The performers, their families and ‘out-of towners’ to whom we spoke loved Armidale and were overwhelmed with the quality of production that could be achieved in our regional city.
Who will forget the stunning rendition of Advance Australia Fair sung in six part operatic harmony by the performers on the staircase of the White Bull Hotel at 10pm on Australia Day.
The Armidale School was again incredibly generous and subsidised the board and lodgings of the young singers and some of the interstate orchestra for their opera boot camp.
Both the University of New England and New England Community Mutual again supported the opera recognising the value and contribution of the arts to regional NSW.
The Armidillos Theatre Company was also very generous with sponsorship. Thank you to Brian and Gail Barrett from Armidale Pure Spring Water for keeping our singers hydrated and also to the Armidale Folk Museum and Michael Maratea Restorations for the loan of valuable antiques.
Finally a huge thank you to the local media and local radio for support and coverage of this event with special mention of Victoria Nugent at The Armidale Express and Extra.
Warren Bartik
Opera New England
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