Welcome to the first newsletter of 2025, and welcome to the new year (albeit one we’re already a fair way through – how does this keep happening?).

It was great to see so many of you at the ALS conference in Canberra at the end of last year. Attendance numbers were very strong, and there were many really interesting papers… and some nice merch – in the end, and there’s still some left if anyone wants to order a mug, t-shirt or tote bag. Congratulations and thanks to the organisers for their splendid work, and to AIATSIS for their financial and administrative support in facilitating the involvement of First Nations linguists.

Don’t forget that the ALS Research Grants scheme, along with the Laves, Jalwang and Kaldor Scholarships and the Michael Clyne Prize and Barb Kelly Prize are all currently open for applications, so hurry and get your applications in.

On a different note, most of you will be aware of the recent passing of Emeritus Professor Jeff Siegel. Many of us have first-hand experience of Jeff’s outstanding research, generosity and support as a colleague, and all-round status as a great and decent human being. We send our condolences to his family, and all his friends and colleagues at UNE and beyond.

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