For many years, Amateur Radio assessments and licensing administration has been provided via a signed Deed between the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) and the Wireless Institute of Australia (WIA). Scout Radio and Electronics team (SRESU) had a number of WIA approved assessors and this arrangement permitted SRESU to run amateur radio training and assessments.
So what has changed? Following a public tender in 2018 and the outcomes becoming known in early 2019, we now know that the WIA was not successful in continuing the services provided, the Deed between the ACMA and WIA has expired as of the 1st Feb 2019. Changes are in the wind and we congratulate Australian Maritime Collage, part of the University of Tasmania who will provide the services including Amateur Radio Assessments and call sign administration.
On behalf of Scouts both in Victoria (and across Australia) we sincerely thank the WIA and affiliated radio clubs for supporting Scouts to undertake many radio related activities including Jamboree on the Air and Amateur Radio training and assessment activities. We hope to continue our working relationship with the WIA and affiliated clubs. We look forward to positive future activities that may come out of this significant change. This is not the end of a wonderful relationship between Amateur Radio and Scouting.
I also thank all amateur radio operators who have supported radio Scouting activities, including JOTA, Jamboree Amateur Radio stations, activities, training and assessments. We look forward to your ongoing support both though this transition and beyond.
We anticipate several further public announcements in the coming weeks as the work will begin to develop new relationships. We will seek to clarify the future of our Amateur Radio training and assessment.
For the time being, we must postpone our planned Amateur Radio training and assessment activities until the dust settles and we find our way forward. We will however continue to provide our Marine Radio training and various radio related activities. I thank you for your support and understanding while we work through this transition.
Philip Adams
State Leader – Radio.
PA – 3 Feb 2019
