As we come to the end of the year, it is often a time of reflection, of collating learnings on which to build for the New Year, of celebration and, dare we say, a touch of video conference fatigue. So many of us, including myself, have been separated from family and loved ones for the majority of the year and it has certainly proven an emotional challenge for so many, on top of the economic uncertainty and health crisis.

2020 has been a year like no other, and through it, I have been incredibly proud of our API team and the amount of work we have achieved to improve our Member value proposition, our contribution to our Members’ career journey and our Member experience, Covid-19 notwithstanding. The end of the year is also a time for family, and it is with our API family that we like to share our successes and shout out to the incredible group of Volunteers who provide so much market intelligence, subject matter expertise and contribute to successful outcomes in the best interests of every one of our Members.

I am extremely grateful for all the support we have had from our very important extended family Members, the API volunteers who have donated their time, gone over and above and been there to answer our call, to help us grow and succeed through the year. Our State Committees have helped us as we consult on new and upcoming products, initiatives and projects, providing valuable feedback and helping maintain our Member first focus. The YPP committees who jumped into action to help develop new and innovative content to support those new incoming Members of our profession when our face to face events shut down. To our pilot projects Committees and Review panels around Admissions, Report Writing and Professional Interviews,  you have helped us create more streamlined and uniform ways to handle these important steps to the profession, so that our firms are able to understand that consistency across the country and our junior Members are able to be admitted faster, with greater transparency and improved quality skillsets.

These are just some of the contributions our volunteers have made during an immensely difficult year! So as we start to wind down for the year my thoughts are with the API and our extended family who continue to deliver in the face of extraordinary circumstances. Thank you for your ongoing commitment, support, advice, and patience as we continue to refine and improve our offerings and service.

2021 will be a year of consolidation at the API, to embed the important work of 2020.

Sadly this year we were not able to hold the usual end of year celebrations due to the uncertainty presented by Covid-19, so I wanted to find another way to recognise our extraordinary supporters and volunteers. So to you all, I raise a glass and say a big thank you and much appreciation for all of your behind the scenes work. For those who are not sure who these amazing people are, please look to our committees page where you can find your local committee Members. I also encourage you to give them a shout out on LinkedIn, or in person if you know them, as these are the people supporting our industry to be bigger and better over the years.

Thank you again to our amazing volunteers and to the whole of API, staff, volunteers and Members alike!

Here’s to the next exciting chapter of 2021! But first, a restful holiday with family, friends, books and the beach…

Kind regards,

Amelia Hodge
CEO, Australian Property Institute