Gianna:

"I’ve worked in strategy planning, management and communication roles across the public and private sectors, and in the ADR industry, for over 25 years. Although I’m not a practitioner, I’ve had the privilege to work closely and in partnership with some of the best people in international dispute resolution, and working at Ciarb has been the most rewarding.

Working alongside Geoff, the Branch has delivered a record number of in-person events and courses, and launched initiatives that create opportunities for our members and stakeholders. 

In 2015, we celebrated our 20th anniversary, which coincided with Ciarb’s 100-year anniversary. Our 30th anniversary year holds many highlights, including the masterclass from Doug and Janet Walker CM C.Arb FCIArb, with Professor Dr. Mohamed Abdel Wahab C.Arb FCIArb as guest speaker. This was a dazzling learning experience for all participants and observers.

The Annual Lecture, another highlight, attracted extensive commentary from the global arbitration community. No one has advanced Australia’s position in the international arbitration space more than Doug, nor contributed as significantly in his leadership roles. 

Looking ahead, arbitration is expected to be profoundly influenced by the integration of AI, alongside increasing specialisation in new areas of dispute, such as space mining. The new frontier? Perhaps because I’ve read Samantha Harvey’s Booker Prize-winning novel, Orbital, multiple times, it fascinates. For our Branch in particular, the launch of the Australian Space Agency’s Moon to Mars initiative is an exciting prospect.

Will it be a space oddity or odyssey? At this point, who knows? As usual, Ciarb will meet the challenges and adapt, innovate and thrive.”   

Geoff:

“I’ve been involved in leading several key initiatives and events that focus on enhancing the Branch’s visibility, expanding its network, and promoting dialogue on the future of arbitration.

The anniversary provided an opportunity to reflect on significant milestones over the last 30 years. It provided me with the privilege of meeting a diverse range of non-members and members - students, Associates, members and Fellows - from across Australia, emphasising the value of membership and our high standards. These activities expand the Branch’s national reach, and drive discussions on the evolving landscape of arbitration both in Australia and overseas.   

My personal highlights of the anniversary year have been: 

• Meeting and engaging with members and other stakeholders across Australia 
• Engaging with other Branches 
• Representing the Branch at major gatherings, like London Arbitration Week 
• Participating in panel discussions, course delivery and the masterclass by Doug and Janet
• The Branch’s expansion 

Over the next 30 years, I’d like to see Ciarb Australia Branch maintain its position as the leader in training and accreditation, and expand its membership in Australia and Australasia.

Though we currently run the Asia-Pacific (APAC) Diploma in International Commercial Arbitration with Singapore Branch and East Asia Branch, fostering dialogue and partnerships with other Branches would be an exciting development.” 

Doug:

“While Ciarb Australia Branch is having its 30th anniversary, the Australian Centre for International Commercial Arbitration is having its 40th anniversary, and the Resolution Institute its 50th anniversary. I've been fairly active in all three organisations, so I’m contributing to events and historical reviews of these organisations in Australia. Ciarb Australia Branch is the youngest, but is the most significant for me because I was a member of Ciarb long before the Australia Branch was formed.  

In terms of my highlights, two things stand out in which I've been personally involved. One was a masterclass that my wife Janet (one of the founders of Ciarb Canada Branch) and I ran for invited members to discuss how to solve endemic problems in the arbitration process. As an outcome, we agreed on the steps needed to reform areas of arbitration that aren't doing as well as they could be. This was a unique experience for me, an experiment, and an exercise in real thinking among people who want to have open minds, and Gianna's keen to continue this in Australia.   

In the last few years there has been this energy, driven by Gianna. She has reinvigorated Ciarb Australia Branch, and this anniversary year has been a useful exercise in reinvigoration. And my second highlight was, of course, my lecture. 

What do I want the Branch to look like in 30 years? It will look like what the Australian members want it to look like. I would like to see Ciarb continuing to contribute to holding the ADR community in Australia together nationally, as opposed to geographically disparate. That involves a high level of co-operation between the various organisations. It’s easy for organisations to seek to promote their own interests without regard to a broader picture, and I think that, so far, we have managed to do that.  

Every organisation needs to respect the niche of the other and work together in the national interest of the development of ADR, and domestic and international arbitration. I've always said in my international role that Ciarb should think globally, but act locally. Without acting locally, you suffer the depredations of central management not understanding what can be done locally. It’s a critical aspect of the success of Ciarb to empower, but not control, the activities of the Branches.”