Contact Us
You are welcome to contact the IIM Secretariat Robert Goode.
Phone: 03 95363155 or 03 95363116
Fax 03 925 3656
Email: admin@solaustralia.org or iim@iim.org.au
Postal: PO Box 6328, St Kilda Road Central, Melbourne, Victoria, 8008
solA Special Interest Group - IIM Board Members
Dick White
Dick is an economics graduate and trained teacher with over 20 years experience in public sector manager and director positions in which he has established and managed governance arrangements, corporate and business area planning, budgeting and reporting processes and undertaken significant projects and business improvement initiatives. He has facilitated and led planning processes for a wide range of public sector, university and specialist education and community groups.
He says: "My enthusiasm for solAustralia relates to its focus on collaboration by people with technically different backgrounds and expertise, providing powerful ways to create viable futures and, at the same time, deal with intractable issues. I see solAustralia as a vital influence in enabling organizations, groups and individuals to adapt, change and transform to succeed in an ever changing world by connecting diverse understandings, effective work behaviours, creativity and technology - formulating futures more than just solving particular problems."
Dick has also contributed to community groups' projects including the establishment of a family group home for girls, funding of a high school chaplain and supporting high school education and village industry in East Timor. He supports the Australian wine industry by selective consumption, with matching food, in the company of provocative friends and colleagues. His tennis friends identify him as a competent player with some cunning shots.
Dr Elyssebeth Leigh
Elyssebeth has been a member of SoLA since 2001. Elyssebeth became a Diector of IIM in July 2010.
In her academic guise Elyssebeth has worked with adult learners at the University of Technology, Sydney since 1988. Her primary focus is the design and management of simulations and games for learning. Her favourite simulation is XB - Manual for a Learning Organisation, a longer role play based simulation, where participants create ‘their own learning' through engagement with key management theories, action learning and adult learning. She also works as a consultant on action learning projects for workplace development and change.
"In 2001 I was intrigued by the idea of creating a global event to link people from different cultures and perspectives, and accepted an invitation to travel to Paris to ‘advise' (as I thought). Once there I realised that it was ‘all or nothing' and became involved in creating the First Global SoL Forum (Espoo, Finland 2003) - an adventure that demonstrated the potential of living and working SoL principles in action.
When SoL Austria was selected to host the second Global Forum in 2007 I could not help myself and was again on the team. And - most recently - I helped Gulf SoL presented a hugely successful Third Global SoL Forum in Muscat, Oman in 2008.
Each of these events has enabled a community of people to share ideas, grow capabilities and enjoy the spirit of SoL in amazing surroundings. The most amazing setting was - for me - the huge tent which took 24 hours to erect in the grounds of the Intercontinental Hotel in Muscat.
Being part of the team that brought together a singularly coherent community determined to bridge the gulf between east and west, business and education, teaching and learning was a highlight of my life."
SolAustralia provides a place to collaborate on activities and ideas that are new and different. We are able to be flexible in our plans and united in enjoying the creativity of collaborative efforts of people from disparate professions and with different perspectives on ‘what works best'.
For me solAustralia is a place to go when I want to be challenged. It can be daunting to attempt complex and innovative tasks alone, solAustralia provides backup in the form of like minds who will be critical friends and enjoy the challenge with you.'
Elyssebeth has been described as a ‘great teacher' who creates fabulous learning environments and lives her advice on how to teach. Now in an ‘altered state of employment' she loves travel and has no plans to slow down.