Attended: Sara Baratchi, Anne Lagendijk, Maté Biro, Peter Newman, Melanie White, Sarah Boyle, Kathryn Stok, Qian Peter Su, Marco Enriquez, Murron Carroll, Boris Martinac, Charles Cox
Did not attend: Martin Fronius, Yu Suk Choi
President's Report
Sara Baratchi addressed the council as new President and welcomed the council and new council/office members: Murron Carroll, Marco Enriquez, Sarah Boyle, and Anne Lagendijk.
Treasurer's Report
Charles Cox reported:
- Bill for UQ meeting catering has been paid.
- Society currently has funds in PayPal and Westpac accounts; PayPal up and running.
- Self-reported obligations submitted to ATO.
- Currently available: $9,235
Secretary Handover
Anne Lagendijk has registered the society for 2026. Files now handed over to Sarah Boyle.
Boris Martinac moved acceptance of 2025 AGM minutes; Melanie White seconded.
Item 1: ISMB Meeting in Glasgow
As part of SynSci2026, 12–16 July.
Travel awards were initially not going to be awarded (held over for a possible NZ meeting). However, Marco Enriquez reported that several students/ECRs at IMB are looking for support. Possible IMB support is being explored but not yet confirmed.
Council discussed that AuSMB could support registration for 2 members (~$1,000/member, i.e. ~$2,000 total), after acceptance of an oral/poster abstract. Members would need to provide evidence of acceptance and financial need.
Action items:
- Charles Cox to confirm if $2,000 can be spent from AuSMB funds.
- Council to decide on criteria for awarding funding (pre- or post-conference).
- Peter Newman to add details to the website; Sarah Boyle to email members and set up JotForm.
Item 2: Alternate-Year AuSMB Workshop
Sara Baratchi proposed a 2–3 day Lab Head/PI workshop on years with no national meeting, for science, strategizing, writing grants, with the AGM held during.
Maté Biro recommended not restricting to lab heads/PIs. Boris Martinac discussed the possibility for the society to write a book together for Springer and asked for volunteers for Editor.
Action items:
- Sarah Boyle to circulate a spreadsheet for council to add conferences they are aware of, to determine timing.
- Sara Baratchi to draw up a firmer proposal (sessions, schedule, target grant schemes) and send to council.
- Boris Martinac to send further details on the Springer book.
Item 3: Website Updates
Council discussed adding Constitution, AGM minutes, Awards, News, and Events to the website.
Council discussed having publication awards for ECR (<5 years) and HDR, to be given at the national meeting every two years (best publication in last two years), with a monetary prize, advertised on the website and during meeting calls.
Action items:
- Peter Newman to add Constitution and AGM minutes (Society documents tab), plus Awards, News, and Events sections.
- Peter Newman to gather list of previous awardees and conference photos.
- Publication awards to be further discussed this time next year; national meeting likely towards end of 2027.
Item 4: Timing of Next AGM
Consensus to organise in November. 2026 meetings to be held every 3 months (start–middle May, August, and AGM in November).
Action items: Sarah Boyle to send poll in April for May meeting, and to organise AGM later in 2026.
Item 5: Additional Council Members
Currently missing state reps for SA and Tas. Low member numbers for Tas — decided not to pursue a rep for now. Sarah Boyle to continue representing SA in addition to Secretary role.
Maté Biro suggested the council consider a philanthropy or sponsorship representative.
Action items:
- Next member email to include a call for a new D&I representative.
- Remy Brynn to be reached out to about involvement as second ECR rep or D&I rep.
Matters Arising
Membership Fees
Boris Martinac proposed raising fees; Maté Biro concurred. Discussion resulted in possible fees:
- Student: $30/year, $75/3 years
- Postdoc: $100/year, $250/3 years
- Lab Head: $200/year, $400/3 years
Most 2026 fees already paid at Brisbane meeting (November 2025). Fee structure to be further discussed at next meeting.
Philanthropy
- Boris Martinac to speak to contacts and Springer for meeting support.
- Maté Biro to talk to Alpha Yap and Val Weaver about MBoC Journal support.