EVOLVING TIMES

According to the dictionary, ‘evolution’ is a gradual directional change, especially one leading to a more advanced or complex form, growth or development, while ‘change’ is the process of becoming different.

Now that you have made it to this article, I am sure you have noticed some differences in this publication so far. We have been asking for member feedback, and we have been listening. Some of you prefer to read our articles during your morning commute on the train, others at the desktop in the spare room while ‘old schoolers’ like myself need a break from daily screen time and prefer the printed page. We have added more images throughout to brighten our pages as well as a bit more spacing between lines of text to make our articles easier to read from any device. As our image evolves, as it has done over the decades and will continue to do so into the future, we also embrace our members that prefer tradition and legacy.

We’ve maintained our content with favourite heroes that continue to appear, edition after edition: From the President to clarify any circulating queries as well as provide a sneak peek into exciting events on the horizon; Technical News to keep you up to date with important legislative changes; Q&A to help you deal with various circumstances you might encounter while witnessing documents; On a Lighter Note… to lighten the mood with a welcomed giggle; and the Regional Spotlight which will showcase a different area of the state and focus on what is so important to us: our Members.

Speaking of members, you may notice that our Role of Honour has evolved as well. Each edition we will congratulate members reaching the 25, 40, 50 and 60 year milestones by publishing their names in this listing. A full listing of all new members who have joined us during the year as well as other milestones reached will be included in our Spring Edition along with election details and our official reporting, to give them the full recognition they deserve.

The past year has been a trying time, and I am pleased to have observed many of our members re-thinking how we stay in touch. Many face-to-face gatherings have not been able to proceed as normal due to current world situations. The QJA has provided branches and contact groups with access to Zoom – an excellent, free of charge platform that has assisted us to feel less isolated. Many have embraced Zoom to maintain some level of visual contact. With this technology, distance is no longer a factor.

Members from Bundaberg, Hervey Bay and Mackay were easily able to join in on some of Townsville branch’s meetings and quiz nights. During lock-down periods members from Logan and Western Suburbs were still able to continue to engage with each other. For many members, our local branches are our second family. We have checked in on each other through text messages, emails and phone calls – I think this is a testament to how important we are to each other!

Other feedback we have received from members is that there has been difficulty navigating the QJA website. We hear you! Our office staff has been working tirelessly to not only update the overall look of our website, but also update the software that is used to maintain the information, merchandise shop, and professional development modules it contains. Updates like this will take significant time, so please consider this more of an evolution than a change. At the QJA, we understand the importance of our members. If it were not for you, we as an Association simply would not be! Ensuring that our resources are easily accessible, and easy to navigate, for all our members is of utmost importance.

Evolution does take time; and we do not want to alter things just for the sake of making things ‘look different’. Our goal for these adjustments is so you can find the information you need – easily. And that our publications can be read from any device – easily. And when you are seeking to refresh your skills, that you can register for any of our professional development courses – easily. Similar to how a caterpillar will not morph into a butterfly overnight, the look and feel of the QJA will continue to slowly evolve. A butterfly is a unique creature in that it cannot see its own wings, only its observers can. Please continue to email us your thoughts and constructive feedback, so the QJA can continue to evolve on this beautiful journey together.

WANT TO BE PART OF THE EVOLUTON?

If you are interested in contibuting to the QJA Quarterly as a project team member please let us know. Contact the editor, Andrea Reynolds, Director and Editor on editor@qja.com.au

Contibutor: Andrea Reynolds, Director & Editor JP(Qual)