ITA - 25 years since incorporation in November 1984

Yes, its hard to believe, particularly those who have served for many years on the committee. It has come a long way from the early days of having a hand typed newsletter that a handful of people received by mail. There was a thread (which is no longer visible) proposing an alternative awards body be set up. I am not proposing this, but have another proposition. Perhaps it may be time for a meeting of members, in a "thinktank" session for want of a better word, to see where the organisation has been, where it is now, and perhaps to examine new directions for the future. I am not proposing an overthrow, or to raise peoples hackles, but I think that all organisations need to revisit their origins and aims, and examine if, over time, some of those aims or goals are still valid or viable. This thread is to put that thought out there, to evoke discussion that may lead to discovering a new sense of purpose, and perhaps some new directions. I would be interested what others may think of this idea...and please keep it polite and constructive, we have had far too much petty and spiteful behaviour on on this site of late. I would be interested in others constructive thoughts. Regards Robert.

....Couldn't the AGM be the perfect time for something like that or at least kick-start the idea?

Yes, you have a point Murray, it appears a reasoned and well thought out thread does not warrant a response, because it obviously isn't as important as responding to people slagging off Finley results and Finley adjudicators, and the ITA in general. Someone wanted to start a second ITA and/or Awards...getting anyone to give a damn would be the biggest hurdle it seems! AGM it is then! Thankyou for your response Murray. Cheers Robert.

When is the AGM again??? www.meltheco.org.au

February 15

"There was a thread (which is no longer visible) proposing an alternative awards body be set up." WHY WAS THIS THREAD REMOVED?

Paul J, the whole thing is explained (mainly at the bottom) here: http://www.theatre.asn.au/billboard_bulletins/2008_finley_award_winners The thread wasn't so much 'removed' as moderated out of existence. Seahorse shadow puppet for sale at Puppets in Melbourne

AGM would be the best place to discuss I would certainly support a new or second organisation Would be happy to co-produce or seek corporate sponsorship if required.

Well said Robert - will also be there to vote Make sure your thread doesn't get deleted! People don't like to be challenged or faced with change on this site. Regards DW

"Make sure your thread doesn't get deleted! People don't like to be challenged or faced with change on this site." That, quite frankly, is bullshit. We have had any number of discussions on this site about making changes and improvements, and it always comes back to one thing: the people who like to complain never actually do anything to instigate or make the changes themselves and everyone else is left to take the blame for figuring out what those ambiguous changes refer to (I note you have done just that). Those of us who do have the time and inclination actually do make changes and contribute positively to the site. If, however, you are referring to the ITA, which is a slightly different concept, then yes, you might face a different hill to climb. (I won't make comments about your suggestion for a new ITA; frankly that's not my arena) If you're referring to the fact that the community voted your thread away, then I'm sorry, but democracy won out and you lost. (Frankly, I don't understand why so many people voted it down, but then I have no ties or dealings with the ITA) Seahorse shadow puppet for sale at Puppets in Melbourne

Great - would be very interested in hearing how you will source your sponsors for these alternative awards.

"AGM would be the best place to discuss I would certainly support a new or second organisation Would be happy to co-produce or seek corporate sponsorship if required." Really? You want the ITA to discuss the possibility of setting up an award structure, in direct competition with the Finley's, at the AGM? Really? Melissa

Hi Melissa Long time no hear - hope you are well? Yeah thik it would make the AGM exciting if we discussed alternatives :o)

I dont think people are opposed to being challenged or change that is constructively proposed "Dave". Its when you attack a very valuable member of the Perth Theatre community without any proof, evidence or rational, sane thought. That's what people don't like. When you attack a person who literally has done more for the Perth theatre community than your spitefull, narrow, judgemental mind could possibly comprehend. That's about the time people pipe up. You're a clown. May the seed of your loin lay fruitfull in the belly of your woman. Alex.

Anyone could get themselves voted into the committee so any change is possible. I would be very interested to hear an alternate perspective. If there is truly a realistic way of seriously improving the ITA (or present a workable alternative that could build on whats in place) why would anyone not listen? You'd want workable ideas, a ton of energy, and a diplomatic nature and you may well get support. Sounds good. Should be an interesting meeting. Hope David's over his illness and can attend ;)

sounds exciting

DavidWilding39 said "People don't like to be challenged or faced with change on this site." You want to be faced with change? My challenge to you is for you to redeem your social standing on this website. Feel free to continue to present your challenging ideas and proposals, or resubmit previous ideas you feel passionate about, into the forum of intelligent debate. It's not your new ideas that people found so challenging, as your unfortunate and unfounded negative slurs on people who did not deserve it. The landslide of support for them fell on you and crushed anything else you may have been trying to say. If you want to be taken seriously, you don't have to conform, but you do have to accept responsibility for your words and have consideration for your audience. Might take a bit of rebuilding - are you up to it? Cheers, Craig ~<8>-/====\---------

Yep an old Donne Warwick song, dig it up and have listen to the words Peter, it might plant a seed or two.

Thankyou to those people that contributed constructively to this thread. It would appear that a couple of members on this thread have proved they are all talk and no action, given their non attendance at the ITA AGM. It would appear that on the whole people are happy with things as they are. That being the case, no further effort will be made on my part. Cheers Robert.

So was this Lawson Productions joker a no-show or what?

A No-Show

Put it this way,there is more chance of seeing a flock of flying pigs peeing champagne and pooping caviar, than an alternative awards being started.

I'd bite my thumb at David Wilding and co IF it weren't for the fact that their absence from the ITA AGM was matched equally by a number of clubs and their presidents/committee. I had rehearsal and I'm not even a member of the ITA (member of three clubs though) but I at least went to demonstrate my interest in community theatre. As Rowan Atkinson so eloquently put it in one of his pre-Bean sketches "Where were you bastards last Sunday?????". Seriously. Very disillusioned. If thats the best we can muster then perhaps David Wilding has a point in so far as some of (the majority?) the ITA member clubs are either INCREDIBLY apathetic or just not supportive of the ITA. I hope I (and David & Co) are wrong but I wouldn't be getting smug about David's absence Robert - the turnout was very very poor. I mean no disrespect to Robert or Norma or any of this years committee by posting this - I just feel that if you want to be a part of the ITA as a member club and enjoy the benefits - have the bloody common decency to have someone from your club attend!!! Make it a point to be in attendance. I am wholly unashamedly disillusioned that some clubs think it's their god-given right to simply send cheques for Finley entries and rescind their responsibility to making Perth theatre better by providing their input for a committee to work with and work on. Louie from the online Green Room was there and I hope his footage never makes the light of day because it would be embarassing to show the number of empty seats. Had my rant - feel better for it.

Maybe people didn't attend because they're that disillusioned with the ITA in the first place?

Or apathetic, which I think is the most likely. Remember WA stands for Wait Awhile.

...I think that would be a very weak argument if any club mounted that as a defence. Given the ITA committee last year put in a lot of work with regard assisting clubs securing those grants, I woulda thought the least they could do was attend and thank the outgoing committee.

Ummm, scuse me Jeff, why weren't you there? Just wondering. Maybe you did turn up, but I certainly didn't see or hear you. Sue.

25 years and 25 responses says it all. Out of 14,500+ registered memebers and inumerable Walters.

Misguided Walter wrote:
> 25 years and 25 responses says it all.
> Out of 14,500+ registered memebers and inumerable Walters.>

The Independent Theatre Association of WA is irrelevant to the majority of people using this website.

Less than 2,400 members are registered with western australian postcodes. Many of them will have no direct or indirect relationship with the ITA.

Theatre Australia has had a broader national focus for more than nine years.

While some people persist in calling this the "ITA website" saying it does not make it so.  

Your notion that all members of this site owe the ITA something is entirely misplaced.

Cheers
Grant

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Director, actor and administrator of this website