Read a roundup of activities around the AILA-NZILA branches

South Australia

AILA SA has a new committee for 2018.

Members are: Nigel Wilson (president), Barrie Datson (treasurer), Scott Duell (secretary) and committee members Anthony Hillary, Mark Keam, Tara Maschotta, Adam O'Reilly, Dylan Steel, Hayley Towers, Eveline Rygorowicz, Leanne Larosa, Bill Conor, Kimberley Miller-Owen, Lani Carter and Marianna Papalouca.

Thank you to retiring committee members for their services – Craig Lind, Lucille Stewart and Julie Kinnear.

AILA SA congratulates Julie Kinnear for her award of AILA life membership. Julie is recognised as a leading professional indemnity insurance lawyer and in 2012 she was named Adelaide's Insurance Lawyer of the Year by the Australian Financial Review's Best Lawyers. In 2015 she was recommended by Doyle's Guide as a leading professional indemnity lawyer in Adelaide.

Julie has been a longstanding, dedicated AILA member. She has held roles as SA secretary (2005-2012) and then president (2012-2015). Her involvement in AILA national conferences was also extensive. She was a committee member on two national conference committees before chairing the 2016 AILA National Conference in Adelaide.

The Adelaide conference was one of AILA's most successful. While she has only just retired from the committee, her legacy, influence and conscientious approach have endured in its work. Congratulations to Julie.

2018 events

For 2018, the SA committee has organised a series of interesting seminars and events. Here are the highlights (SA members please diarise the dates):

Please go to aila.com.au for confirmation of events (dates and venues are subject to change).

Victoria

AILA Victoria held 12 successful events in 2017 – nine educational seminars, two social occasions and, for the third consecutive year, the Ron Shorter Memorial Award.

Thank you to everyone who supported AILA Victoria in 2017 and, in particular, the chapter committee that worked extremely hard to put the program together.

A new committee was appointed at the annual dinner and annual general meetingon 21 February at the RACV Club. The event was a success and well attended. Guest speaker Mick Colliss provided a laugh-out-loud true story about mateship, having a go and never giving up.
           
The annual dinner has been the social calendar's highlight for many years in Victoria and you are invited to attend in February 2019.  

The 2018 educational program began on 28 February with the Annual General Insurance Law Review, a half-day seminar presented by Matt Ellis, from Norton Rose Fulbright; Paul Lamb, Victorian Bar; Rob Minc, Meridian Lawyers; and I  represented Minter Ellison on the panel.

New South Wales

Insurers in court: A mock trial is scheduled for Thursday 1 March from 5.30pm to 8.30pm at the Banco Court, Law Courts Building, Queens Square, Sydney, followed by networking at The Rabbit Hole, 82 Elizabeth Street (in the basement).

The event is in association with the Lloyd's Development Group (LDG), an informal start-up group looking to provide targeted education and networking opportunities for industry participants.

It is modelled on the success of the Lloyd's and London Market U35s groups and will run original and informative seminars and educational trips to provide professional development opportunities.

Underwriters, brokers and claims personnel are likely, at some point in their careers, to end up in a courtroom. The mock trial, with counsel presenting and "arguing" an insurance non-disclosure dispute, will enable AILA and LDG members to witness first-hand what it is like being in such a setting.

Another event will cover cyber insurance. Go to www.aila.com.au for more details.

The chapter is also planning a function to celebrate AILA's 35th birthday. Keep an eye on the AILA website for details.