Grant stage: grant in progress

Grantee: Wikimedia Australia

Amount granted: 33,750 AUD for 12 months (~US$25,500)

Funding period: 1 July 2018 to 30 June 2019

Final report due: 30 July 2019

Application

Background

These two requests are required of first-time applicants. In future years, you can use reports to substitute for these requirements.

Link to one program story that showcases your organization's achievements in the past year.
Wikimedia Australia 2017 Annual Report
Link to one learning story you have created or contributed to, that demonstrates how your organization documents and applies learning.
Wikidata Tour Down Under

Link to these documents only if you have them.

Link to your organization's staffing plan. This organization is not requesting staff.
Link to your annual plan. Wikimedia Australia Annual Plan 2018
Link to your strategic plan. (No Strategic Plan currently exists, but it is a priority for the face-to-face Committee workshop this year.)

Please add your global metrics to this sheet. Contact APG staff if you need access. Please visit this worksheet to view global metrics targets and progress.

Programs

Community support

Australia has many strong individual contributors to a diverse range of Wikimedia projects and content areas. Support for current and emerging editors is a key goal of Wikimedia Australia. The community support program uses a range of approaches to maximise contact with a geographically dispersed community, some of whom are interested in face-to-face activities, and others who engage in other ways.

Community capacity building and diversity are major elements of the community support program. Wikimedia Australia works to increase the diversity of participants participating in online and face to face activities, in terms of gender, region, language, and topics/sectors of interest, thus aligning with the strategic direction of knowledge equity.

A strong and capable local community also enables Wikimedia Australia to respond to requests from external organisations for assistance or presentations. As a volunteer organisation this capacity needs to be distributed so it is available in different cities and states without the cost and time restraints of travel.

WikiClubs

WikiClubs are based in and have a supportive positive relationship with their local State Libraries. Four WikiClubs will meet regularly in Australia during 2018. Each WikiClub has a level of independence from the chapter with WMAU provisioning them to undertake small activities like regular meet ups, workshops and edit-a-thons that bring the contributors for the local area into collaborate. Like user groups the WikiClubs are saved the burden of legal and financial administration which are provided under the umbrella of WMAU.

Volunteer support

The Volunteer Support Programme (VSP) is an initiative that supports Australian contributors to the projects to obtain resources or share their knowledge about the projects and WMAU. Funds involved are generally small amounts and designed for maximum flexibility and responsiveness. While most the VSP activities are ad hoc there are established VSP eligible activities. The Camera Equipment Program was started to help photographers maintain and improve their equipment. This was chosen over an equipment lending program which would be unable to support the needs of individuals due to logistics and costs. All VSP applicants are required to be in good standing as well as to have a demonstrated contribution history available for or in use in the projects.

Noongarpedia

The Noongarpedia project represents several areas of importance for Wikimedia Australia, and the Wikimedia movement. As an Indigenous language project promoting knowledge equity it involves partnerships with both the Noongar and the academic communities and is a tangible model for future Indigenous language partnerships in other states of Australia, and globally. The fact that this prestigious national research project is using the Wikimedia infrastructure also provides a powerful example of knowledge as service.

A significant project goal for the next period is to further develop Noongar Wikipedia and support the project team in moving from the incubator space to nys.wikipedia.org

Support for regional and global events

The Australian communities suffers from its isolation from the wider movement. Previously the ability to develop and maintain community connections relied on the same few people. Over the last couple of years WMAU has taken the approach that we should be enabling wider community involvement in global activities. As part of this we aim to fund two community members to share experiences and gain further knowledge of the global Wikimedia community along with one committee person to maintain the relationships WMAU has with WMF and other Affiliates and to gain additional experiences.

Given the uncertainty over Wikimedia sponsored events in the funding period we are signalling our intention as a chapter to take on the organisation of an Asia Pacific Oceania regional event in 2019. This has support from East, South East, Asia, Pacific (ESEAP) regional conference affiliates, and will include a focus on local partnerships. In the current period funding is required to secure the venue.

Australia has a wide and diverse population with unique regional identities. The aim of regional events is to engage locals with the community, to foster the development of GLAM projects in capital city and regional areas. The goal is to sponsor a successful meetup focused on community engagement in several capital cities during this period.

Objectives:

To support and strengthen the engagement of the Wikimedia community in Australia
To increase the diversity of participants participating in online and face to face activities, in terms of gender, region, language, and topics/sectors of interest.
To build community capacity

Metrics:

Number of events increased over 2017 total: Total of 20 event reports in 12 months
Details on attendees at those reports - names, number of attendees, interests in the Wikimedia projects which can be utilised later for future programs, details of their participation.
Increased diversity of attendees and applicants for scholarships
At least one successful Australian presentation

Assigned to: State-based WikiClub leaders and WMAU committee Vice-President, and one general committee member

Outreach and engagement

Outreach to the wider Australian population is a priority in order to increase engagement. Wikimedia seeks to increase the number of people who know about Wikimedia, who understand how it works and who are attracted to contributing. Specific target audiences include educators, the GLAM sector, and rural and Indigenous communities.

The outreach and engagement program for this period includes continuation of successful activities, identified new opportunities and some capacity for responding to partnership requests

WikiTowns

WikiTowns are collaborative projects between local councils, historical societies and other interested partners, supported by Wikimedia Australia. They focus on supporting locals to contribute quality content about their town and heritage, and then use QR code technology to promote and educate about their place. It is another example of knowledge as service.

Australia has two mature WikiTowns projects and a proposal for at least one new project. With developments in Wikidata and QR code integration there is exciting work to be done across this project.

Toodyay - expand the number of articles and increase the number of QR codes within the area
Fremantle - re-engage community following the loss of a partner organisation, expand content on Fremantle
create the foundations for a new WikiTown
establish permanent QR codes using Wikidata, and create a new Wikitown QR reader that expands across more Wikimedia projects

Content competitions

Competitions generate new Australian content on a particular theme from a broad range of contributors, many of whom are new to Wikimedia. The competitions raise awareness of open licences in the broader Australian community and provide Wikimedia with media opportunities. High quality images, datasets, and textual content can be promoted locally and globally, and there is an opportunity for email conversations with winning contributors.

WikiSource competition:
In the month before the Wikisource conference (date t.b.d.) a proofreading competition will be run. Focusing on a predefined set of Australian source materials, it will aim to get 1000 pages proofread across 10 works. All metadata will also be added to Wikidata.
Wiki Loves Monuments
During the month of Wiki Loves Monuments, 1,000 images will be uploaded and 100 in use on Wikimedia pages. 10 new members will be brought in through this contest who will continue contributing 3 months after creating a new account.
Wiki Loves Science
Attempts will be made to increase participation in Wiki Loves Science, which attracted around 90 entries in its inaugural year 2017, involving publicity for the 2017 winners, clarification of guidelines and perhaps targeting of scientific organisations in the GLAM sector to invite entries. 2017 winners
Wiki Loves Earth
During the month of Wiki Loves Earth, 1,000 images will be uploaded and 100 in use on Wikimedia pages. 10 new members will be brought in through this contest who will continue contributing 3 months after creating a new account.

Engagement with GLAMs

Wikimedia Australia has a long history of GLAM-Wiki projects and continues to look for opportunities to build awareness of the benefits of partnering with Wikimedia. As well as collaboration with large GLAMs, particularly State libraries, there are opportunities this year to present to small to medium regional libraries, historical societies, museums and galleries

GLAM Peak workshops
Wikimedia Australia will participate as a technology partner for the GLAM Peak Digital Access to Collections workshops during 2018. This free two-day workshop focusses on digitisation and the provision of digital access to collections in small to medium GLAM organisations around Australia.
During the ten GLAM Peak workshops Wikimedia Australia will engage with 300 staff and volunteers from Australian GLAM organisations. 10 new members will join, 20 participants will create accounts and contribute a photo, reference or fact about their local area. Lists and content about regional Australian GLAMs will be updated.
As an ongoing initiative following up on interest and expertise developed during GLAM Peak workshops, a portable digitisation kit will be established and work with regional GLAMs will continue.
Wikimedia Australia invited speaker at Australian GLAM conference
An effective way to influence national thinking and policy in the Australian GLAM sector is a keynote presentation at one of the large national conferences for GLAM professionals. Wikimedia Australia will use its networks to recommend high calibre speakers from the movement, and then attend the conference to deepen the local knowledge and networks.
Wikimedia Australia invited speaker Indigenous Conference
Noongarpedia provides a platform to extend the GLAM conference strategy to one of the key Indigenous language, education or equity conferences.

Objectives:

Increase awareness and participation of new individuals and organisations
Establishment of two new collaborative partnerships
Participation in global content competitions and wide promotion in Australia

Metrics:

Number of new accounts generated through outreach events
Two new collaborative partnerships
Speaker requests to WMAU
Success of content competitions

Assigned to: Communications officer, and general committee members. Individual content competition coordinators.

Operational activities

Chapter governance

WMAU Committee of Management takes seriously its role to control and manage the business and affairs of the association, in order to realise the goals of WMAU, and to enhance the reputation of both the association and the movement. WMAU is an incorporated association registered in Victoria, and a charity registered with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC). As such WMAU has ongoing legal, financial and reporting responsibilities to Consumer Affairs Victoria, the Australian Taxation Office and the ACNC.

Communication and management tools are required for effective management of the association, and regular communication with members and the wider community requires infrastructure such as WMAU and committee websites, member management software, mailing lists, and email, calendar and event services.

The budget for this area covers fixed cost items that are incurred to ensure legal and effective running of the chapter. The expenses are based on known, regular (usually annual) payments. These include:

Costs of financial management: audit and bank fees
Regulatory bodies registration
Insurance
Software for member management, finance, email, committee management and communication
Mailbox, printing and stationery
Committee travel and accommodation costs for meetings and representing the chapter
Registration fees for office bearer and committee training
Contingency fund

Objectives:

To ensure WMAU is legally and efficiently managed
To communicate effectively about Wikimedia activities within Australia to build positive engagement with members and the wider community
To provide the necessary legal and financial framework to enable regional based groups to operate, without duplicating costs
To develop community capacity in depth and breath

Metrics:

Financial and legislative reporting is up-to-date
Regular newsletters, updates to WMAU website and social media are published
At least 80% of members renew each year

Assigned to: WMAU committee President, Secretary and Treasurer

Staff

This organization is not requesting staff.

Budget and resource plan

Link to a detailed budget (that also includes a plan for raising the resources you need). Wikimedia Australia budget 2018

Midpoint report

This is a brief report on the grantee's progress during the midpoint reporting period: *This is Wikimedia Australia’s first mid-term report related to engagement in the Simple Annual Plan Grant process. It covers the period of 1 July to 31 December 2018. At the six-month stage, there is some activity to report against our annual plan, with strong metrics in some areas, and financial outlay running slightly below budget at this stage. Major achievements relate to outreach and engagement events, many of which have also involved community members. Targeted community support has seen less activity. Governance is well-established, with financial management a strong point. Reporting and collection of metrics is an area requiring development within the committee and the community..

Program story

Please link to one program story that showcases your organization's achievements during the reporting period.

Here is the text you may use to add a story or link!

WikiShootMe Tennant Creek

Progress

Please add text or a link to a page with details on your program progress. This should including reporting against each of the SMART objectives from your proposal.

Midterm progress report

Spending

Please report your organization's total spending during the reporting period, or link to a financial document showing your total spending.

Link to financial document

Here is where your spending notes/explanations are.

Final report

This is the final report for your grant, describing your outcomes from the period {{{reportingperiodfinal}}}.

Program story

Please link to one program story that showcases your organization's achievements during the reporting period.

Wikimedia Australia Community Conference

Learning story

Please link to one learning story that shows how your organization documents lessons learned and adapts its programs accordingly.

Programs and Events Dashboard campaign

Results

Please add text or a link to a page with details on your program results. You should report on each of the objectives you included in your Simple APG application.

Please visit this worksheet to view global metrics targets and results

Final Report Outcomes

Spending

Please link to a detailed financial report for your spending during the grant period. This should be in the same format as your detailed budget from your Simple APG application.

Link to final financial report

Please include the total amount of Simple APG funds you spent during the grant period.

AUD$30,199