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1997 and 1998 were expansive years for CALLS. It was decided at the Annual General Meeting in December 1997 to pursue a new vision for the Centre, to broaden its activities by embracing all the disciplines which come under the heading of Australian Studies. Publication of the yearbook was postponed to take account of the likely transformation, which is why this current Yearbook covers the past two years. Throughout the first half of 1998 the CALLS Executive worked at developing new Guidelines for the Centre; and at a Special Meeting on Friday, 4 September, 1998, the following Motion was passed unanimously: "That the new 'Guidelines for the Centre' be adopted and the Centre re-named and relaunched as CALLS: The Australian Studies Centre of the University of New England." Finally, on Wednesday, 9 December 1998, at the New England Regional Art Museum, the new (or to be strictly accurate, the reconfigured) Centre was launched, to much fanfare. CALLS now is a name rather than an acronym. The former Centre for Australian Language and Literature Studies was founded in 1989. Since then, as you know, we have been active in promoting the research and teaching of Australian language and literature, and in encouraging Australian writing generally. Particular activities have included: • a strong publication program (seven books in nine years); • hosting two conferences, one on Henry Kendall and the other on Louisa and Henry Lawson, and several literary dinners attended by major Australian writers; • establishing close affiliations with Australian Studies organisations in Europe, Asia and North America. Through these activities the Centre has acquired a high profile regionally, nationally and internationally. W e remain committed to our publishing and conference programs. But in our new persona, as CALLS: The Australian Studies Centre, we want to extend a very warm invitation to all those people interested in different aspects of Australia's social, cultural, political and economic life and history to work together across the old boundaries, expanding our horizons creatively and productively as we move toward the new Millennium. |
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