crossings vol 7.1, 2002

From the Editor

David Carter
Australian Studies Centre
The University of Queensland

In this, the first edition of Crossings for 2002 (Volume 7), we begin a new feature that we hope to continue in the first edition of each year – a special focus on Australian Studies in one particular country. We begin with France, perhaps because it is a country of particular interest to the editor! What we publish below is by no means a complete picture of Australian Studies in France but it certainly gives an indication of some of the key institutions and individuals who are involved. We would be happy to publish follow-up articles in our next edition by those who have missed out this time.

We are also delighted to be able to publish a number of significant essays, particularly a series on Indigenous issues by Christine Nicholls, arguing for an Indigenous Languages Act; Les Malezer, arguing against reconciliation; and Sue Anderson, arguing the significance of Indigenous oral history. Tim O'Dwyer, a Brisbane lawyer, regular media commentator and Australian Studies graduate, contributes a meditation on war and memory.

Gus Worby, the President of the International Australian Studies Association, reports on the Associations activities, particularly in the light of statements from Australia's new Federal Minister for Education, Brendan Nelson. InASA will lobby the new Minister on behalf of Australian Studies wherever it can. 		In Reports and News we have notices of a new research project on 'Radical Brisbane', new issues of the Australian Women's Book Review and Hecate, a report on the 2002 conference of the American Association for Australian Literary Studies, and a report from the Australian Scholarly Editions Centre.

In the Conferences section, we carry notices of two upcoming InASA conferences. First, Sharing the Space, a unique collaboration between Australian Studies and Indigenous Studies, InASA's annual conference, to be held at Flinders University in South Australia (11-13 July). The InASA AGM will also be held during this conference. Second, a conference on the past and future of Australian Studies, in honour of the late Kay Daniels: The Pasts and Futures of Australian Studies to be held at the University of Newcastle, Ourimbah (Central Coast) Campus, 11-12 October.

In addition, there are notices and Calls for Papers from conferences of interest to Australianists both nationally and internationally, including the Australian Historical Association conference, the British Australian Studies Association conference and the Chinese Australian Studies Association conference.

So once again we have managed to define Australian Studies as that space between the Indigenous and the international but overlapping with both! 'Sharing the Space', as the InASA conference theme puts it.

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Approaching storm clouds near Cooma,
New South Wales. Photo by David Carter