Join us at Hassell’s Sydney studio or online for the DIA Annual General Meeting (AGM) as we celebrate the achievements of 2026, reflect on a year of transformation and look ahead to the Institute’s next chapter.
DIA Members only, registration essential. If you cannot attend, please lodge your Proxy Form by 4.00 pm (AEDT) on Tuesday 10 November 2026.
Date:
Thursday 12 November 2026, 4 – 5 pm AEDT
Followed by drinks 5 – 6 pm
Please arrive 3.30pm for 4.00pm start
Venue:
Hassell Studio, Level 2, Pier 8/9, 23 Hickson Road, Sydney NSW
Online:
Zoom (link to Zoom will be sent out the day before the AGM)
• Minutes + Agenda
Prior to attendance, we encourage you to review the 2026 Notice of Annual General Meeting and Explanatory Statement and the 2025 AGM Minutes.
• Reports
The National President's Report and Finance Report will be presented for review and adoption at this meeting.
• Announcement
Under the DIA Constitutional arrangements, Branch Council appointments to the National Advisory Council and all representative roles will be announced at this meeting. The announcement of the new DIA Directors will also be made.
• Financial Members Only
Only financial DIA Members are entitled to vote. Others are welcome to attend but are not entitled to vote in terms of the Constitution clause 4.11. If you are unsure of your financial status, please contact admin@design.org.au.
• Proposed Amendments to the Constitution
At the Annual General Meeting on Thursday 12 November 2026, the Board will ask Members to approve changes to the DIA Constitution as a special resolution (Resolution 2). The changes allow the Board to have up to nine Directors instead of seven. Up to five Directors would be elected by the National Advisory Council and up to four appointed by the Board for their skills and experience, with Member-elected Directors always holding the majority. Up to two Directors would continue to be elected each year, and the National Advisory Council would be able to fill a vacant elected position at any of its meetings rather than waiting for the next AGM. Together, these changes give the Board the flexibility to bring on the skills it needs and to respond quickly when a Director steps down, while keeping it accountable to Members. No other part of the Constitution changes. Available here are the The Table of Amendments, and the marked-up DIA Constitution.
To pass, Resolution 2 needs votes in favour from at least 75% of the Members present at the meeting in person, online, by proxy or by Representative. An abstention has the same effect as a vote against.
Your vote matters. If you cannot attend, please lodge your Proxy Form by 4.00 pm (AEDT) on Tuesday 10 November 2026.
THAT, for the purpose of section 136(2) of the Corporations Act and for all other purposes, approval is given for the Company to amend the Constitution in the manner set out in the accompanying Explanatory Statement and in the form as signed by the Chair of the Meeting for identification purposes, with effect from the close of the Meeting.
Proposed amendments to the Constitution are as follows:
(a) In clause 5.1(a)(ii), replace ‘seven’ with ‘nine’.
(b) After clause 5.1(a)(ii), insert: ‘(iii) Elected Directors must at all times be a majority of the Directors. The Board must not appoint a Director under clause 5.2 if Elected Directors would then not be a majority.’
(c) In clause 5.2, replace ‘up to three Directors’ with ‘up to four Directors’.
(d) In clause 5.3, replace ‘shall include four elected members’ with ‘shall include up to five elected members’.
(e) Replace clause 5.3(j) with: ‘(j) The term of Elected Directors shall be two years, with up to two Directors elected each year under clause 5.3(h).’
(f) After clause 5.3(j), insert: ‘(k) If the office of an Elected Director is vacant, including a position not filled at an election under clause 5.3(h), the National Advisory Council may elect a Director to fill the vacancy at any of its meetings. A Director elected under this clause takes office immediately, will be announced at the next Annual General Meeting, and holds office for the remainder of the term of the vacated position or, if the position was not filled at the last election, until the end of the second Annual General Meeting after their election. If Elected Directors cease to be a majority because of a vacancy, the remaining Directors may continue to act and the National Advisory Council must fill the vacancy under this clause as soon as practicable.’
• New Business
All new business items must be tabled for discussion to admin@design.org.au by COB Friday 6 November 2026.
• Proxies
Members may appoint another Member to attend and vote on the Member’s behalf by completing a Proxy Form. All proxies must be received by COB Friday 6 November 2026.
We look forward to receiving your registration to attend the DIA’s 2026 AGM in person or online, or your completed proxy form if you are unable to join us.