School Manager's Update

Published in the RSAA Lunations
Vol1 Issue30 1–31 July 2022

Hello everyone and happy new financial year

June has been a fascinating month, due to my first trip to Siding Spring. What a truly amazing place, that cannot be described until you experience it! – While this is an isolated site, you always have the company of countless grasstrees and the odd  Astronomeroo more pictures here 

Credit Card Balances
Thank you to those who have submitted their credit card limit increases. We hope this will make conducting business a little easier. If you have not yet submitted your request, please reach out and respond to Michelle’s email. 

Invoice vs Receipt

As mentioned in the School meeting, for purchases in Australia over $75, we are required to obtain tax invoices (receipts are not sufficient). This applies to both purchase cards and reimbursements.

This allows us to claim the GST (if applicable), a saving to your grant and School of 10% off the base price.

At times, this requires an extra step such as following up with the supplier/company, specifically asking when making the payment or perhaps it will be provided when your goods are shipped.

For example if you using booking.com, you will need to obtain the tax invoice directly from your hotel when you check-in for your stay. 

Siding Spring Observatory (SSO)

It was eye opening to meet everyone, learn about your roles, as well as your tremendous contributions that keep this place running!

Thank you to everyone for your welcome and for taking the time out of your busy days to show me around (behind the scenes tour) and for taking me through your duties and experiences.

Before my trip, I had never realised the sheer scale of the AAT operation as well as the size of the building. Loading docks, workshops, offices, meetings rooms, countless instruments, a control room and a large telescope, all included like a city under one roof. 

We hope to keep reinforcing and strengthening the connections between SSO and MSO.

Mat Malzacher