Event:Wikicon Australia 2024/Reports/Canley
Questions to be addressed
[edit]- Things learned at the conference
- How the participant hopes to use his/her new learnings/skills
- Comments about the conference
- Suggestions for future Wikicons
Response
[edit]Apologies for the late submission of the report, I have been extremely busy for the last few weeks. I very much enjoyed WikiCon 2024 in Adelaide, and am very grateful to Wikimedia Australia for the scholarship which enabled me to attend.
What surprised me most was that even though I had seen previous presentations on some of the topics before (such as Ingrid and Jennie on Noongarpedia and Jack on STARDIT), as I was not presenting myself at this conference and wasn't involved in organising or facilitation (other than some minor AV assistance!), I was able to really relax and take in the presentations in a way I hadn't really before, and found I learned quite a lot even for areas that were not new to me. That is not to say I would not want to be involved in organising or presenting in future, I absolutely would, but it was really nice to not have to stress over responsibilities or my own presentation.
I have not been to Adelaide for around 25 years, so it was wonderful to be back. While it is convenient for me to attend Wiki events in Melbourne, it's great to host WikiCons outside of Melbourne and Sydney, and as with this one the attendees are a really diverse group of Wikimedia contributors and interested parties which is really helped by holding these events in different cities and states/territories around the country as it makes it easier for some people to attend and gives others an opportunity to travel.
The turnout was really good, higher than I expected, and it was great to meet some people in real life who I had only interacted with on-wiki. As always, it was a great opportunity to catch up with fellow Wikimedians who I know well and consider dear friends. And of course, I am grateful I was able to see, chat and joke with Tom / JarrahTree just days before his sad and untimely passing, but I am glad he went peacefully and after having such a enjoyable and productive time with fellow Wikimedia participants in what was such a big part of his life.
Well done to the Wikimedia Australia team and all the presenters and participants in what was a thoroughly enjoyable and well-organised WikiCon. I would love to see and attend events held in other cities such as Canberra, Perth, Hobart, Newcastle, anywhere really!