There was unanimous agreement at a meeting today (held at the AUUG96 & Asia Pacific World Wide Web Conference and Exhibition at World Congress Centre Melbourne) to form an Australian chapter of the Internet Society.
The proposed Society would be a chapter of the international Internet Society (based in the USA) and members of the Australian group will be full members of the international society.
Aims of the proposed society are to be an advocate for the broad range of internet users. To foster increased understanding of the internet and further its development.
Services to members will include all benefits of membership of the Internet Society such as its journal and discounts for conferences and services.
The Internet Society of Australia expects to attract as many as 1000 members in the first year of operation.
The founding board of directors will consist of Hugh Irvine (director, Connect.com), Associate Professor Bob Kummerfeld (University of Sydney) and Geoff Huston (secretary of the Internet Society and manager Telstra Internet). It is expected that a larger board will elected at the initial meeting of the society scheduled for November in Sydney.
Expressions of support have been received from a range of organisations with an interest in the Internet.
For further information contact