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Report from the ChairThe 2009-10 reporting period was particularly challenging for the Board. For most of that time, the Boardoperated without the contribution of the Office of Titles licensed surveyor member, following the retirementof Mr Barrie Bremner in March 2009.Consequently, in order to maintain the optimum delivery of the Board’s business functions, particularlythose associated with professional training agreements, Further Professional Education or Training (FPET)and disciplinary matters, the remaining seven members took on additional responsibilities.Since the commencement of the Surveying Act 2004 on 1 January 2005, the Board has progressivelyidentified a number of improvements to that legislation. It was therefore a major highlight of the year whenthe Surveying Act 2004 was amended via the Land Legislation Amendment Act 2009 that came intooperation on 1 May 2010. While the improvements included administrative enhancements to Boardoperations and licensed surveyor registration issues raised by the profession, a key amendment was thecreation of the Board member position of a licensed surveyor employed by the Department of Sustainabilityand Environment. The Deputy Surveyor-General, Mr David Boyle, was subsequently appointed by theMinister to perform this role with effect from 5 May 2010.In keeping with the Board’s focus on continuous improvement, particularly in relation to the sustainability ofthe land surveying profession, there has been significant effort expended in this reporting period tostreamline the training processes undertaken by graduate surveyors to achieve registration as licensedsurveyors.Apart from internally reviewing the Board’s Guidelines for Examinations and Projects, the members whomoderate projects also attended a special meeting of chief examiners from all jurisdictions that comprisethe Council of Reciprocating Surveyors Boards of Australia and New Zealand (CRSBANZ). This usefulbenchmarking exercise and ensuing observation of NSW practice, provide the scope for identifyingimprovements to Victorian processes.The Board’s support of the sustainability of the profession is also demonstrated through its leadership andadministrative support of the Surveying Task Force Inc. It is pleasing to note that the marketing initiativesimplemented by the Task Force are likely to have contributed to the increased university surveying courseenrolments in 2010.To achieve the Board’s objectives, there is a strong reliance on the support and cooperation received fromthe academic, professional and industry bodies, together with that from the Department of Sustainabilityand Environment, which merits acknowledgment.Also, I especially acknowledge the contribution of all Board members and the Secretariat staff for thededicated manner in which they have performed their respective roles.John E. TullochChairSurveyors Registration Board of VictoriaPage 5 of 52