School Manager's Report

Published in the RSAA Lunations
Vol1 Issue22 1–30 November 2021

RSAA’s 2022 ‘recurrent budget’ has been allocated to us last week. We have received an allocation of approximately $6.5M recurrent funding for 2022. We do have significant risks with finances as we maintain an economy of about $27M with this recurrent budget. We are confident that we will be able to run the school efficiently in 2022 with this allocation. Although it is less than we have lobbied for, the good news is that ANU central and the College of Science have not reduced our recurrent budget. At present we are working on ensuring that all our strategic plans requiring significant funding can be supported. 

The RSAA administration team recently have lost (or will shortly lose) three staff members who were critical to managing the professional services provided to the RSAA community. However we now have three new staff joining us in November, which will ensure smooth operation of the RSAA machinery. While we transition to the new way of doing things, I ask you all to be patient and accommodating. I am confident that the new administrative structure will enhance the support you receive complying with the ANU protocols. I have already received a lot of encouraging comments from key stakeholders about the enhanced services provided to the RSAA community. 

In the next year, we expect to see further development at the Stromlo campus. We are finalising the expansion of the solar panels, working collaboratively with the ACT government to set up a 'telescope farm’ (thanks to Tony and Brad!), and resolving the challenges of building an Optical Ground Station (a project led by Francis Bennet). This is truly an exciting time to be part of RSAA!

Rafat Alam

_{Image: 50" dome the site of the proposed telescope farm}