By Nancy Hill Beluk, R.T.(R), 2020-2021 SMRT President

We all know the feeling that overtakes us as we welcome in a new family member. Whether it is by marriage, birth, adoption or even a pet. The lead up to the big event is filled with great anticipation which is quickly replaced with excitement when the big day arrives.
So, you can imagine my excitement as we welcome two new Chapters into the SMRT family. And I have the pleasure of spreading the good news!
The SMRT would like to officially announce the formation of the Australian National Chapter and the New Zealand National Chapter. While these 2 countries had previously joined forces as the ANZ Chapter, their dedication to MR education and rapid growth has led to the need to become two autonomous entities.
But instead of me explaining things, let’s have Kate Negus, the President of the Australian National Chapter, explain things in her own words
. And the same for Sarah Green, the acting-President of the New Zealand National Chapter. Let’s hear her thoughts and vision
for leading this energetic group of Radiographers and Technologists into the new year.
Through the formation of Divisions and Chapters, and with the advent of virtual meetings, the SMRT has the potential to reach more members than ever before. And as our on-line education materials continue to grow, we prove to be the premiere provider for MR education.
Happiest of Holidays to All,
Nancy
Kate Negus
The first SMRT ANZ meeting was held in Brisbane in 2006, organised by Wendy Strugnell, Ben Kennedy and Dominic Kennedy, and we invited our cousins “across the ditch” in New Zealand.
Since then, 14 annual, 2-day SMRT ANZ chapter meetings have been held, rotating locations on the east coast of Australia and in Auckland, New Zealand. We have had between 250-400 people at these meetings and they have been sponsored by the major MRI scanner and contrast vendors in Australia and New Zealand, to enable us to engage high quality international and local speakers. Meetings have been held at the major convention centres in each city and include a Saturday night catered function to enable convivial networking.
While Australia and New Zealand will still hold a joint annual meeting, we have “cut the apron strings” now that New Zealand has a mature and dedicated group of people to run their own chapter, demonstrated by their recent excellent series of virtual meetings. Australia has followed their lead, redesigning the Australian National Chapter and having our first virtual meeting, hosted by the Queensland Division, on December 2nd which was attended by Australians, New Zealanders and people from more than 10 other countries.
The ANC Board meetings are now attended by the NZNC President and the NZNC Board meetings are attended by the ANC President. We have many things in common such as MRI safety and a love of MRI education, but our Medicare, insurance and accreditation requirements are different, which will be addressed by the 2 separate national chapters. Now, over to Sarah.
Kate
Sarah Green

Kia ora koutou
Hi, I am Sarah Green and I am the Acting President of the newly formed SMRT New Zealand National Chapter (NZNC). I am very lucky to have the support of our Secretary – Anna Lyndon, Treasurer – Sandra Winsor, Executive Member – Kirsty Campbell, Safety Leed – James Whittaker and our Division Representatives, Lexie Nelson (North Island) and Jacob Cameron (South Island).
For many years New Zealand has been part of the very successful ANZ Chapter and will continue to work with the Australian Chapter (ANC). The relationship between Australia and New Zealand has been and still is very strong. The differences in educational, professional accreditation and registration requirements between the two countries mean that both countries would benefit from an autonomous National Chapter working with the support of an international society.
Both countries will continue to support each other to provide high quality education to their MRI Technologists and will continue to do so. The joint ANZ meeting usually held in November will continue to be a joint venture between the Australia and New Zealand Chapters. Together we feel that the establishment of the New Zealand National Chapter demonstrates the strength of the SMRT community in ANZ. To continue this support, both the ANC and NZNC presidents will serve on each other’s National Chapter boards.
For the last two years, the North Island and South Island Divisions have worked together to run two very successful Joint Division meetings. The inaugural joint Division meeting was held in Auckland in 2019 with over 100 attendees. The second meeting planned to be held in Christchurch in July 2020, proved to be a little challenging with the constraints that COVID-19 placed on us. The committee very quickly changed the format of this meeting to a virtual meeting, held over 3 sessions. This format allowed us to host international speakers who are leaders in their fields.
A conversation with our South Carolina friends at the Montreal SMRT meeting led us to organising a joint international division virtual meeting in October 2019. In March, we also provided education not only to the NZ MRI community but also our Veterinary associates by running a global virtual meeting on Veterinary MRI.
Currently, the NZNC programme committee are busy preparing for the 1st Annual NZNC meeting to be held in Queenstown on Saturday 20th March 2021.
On behalf of the New Zealand National Chapter (NZNC) Committee, it is a pleasure to deliver education to our MRI Community and associates.
Kia pai tō koutou rā







