From aljeffrey83 at gmail.com  Thu Jun 25 22:11:00 2026
From: aljeffrey83 at gmail.com (Andrew Jeffrey)
Date: Fri, 26 Jun 2026 15:11:00 +1000
Subject: [OSGeo Oceania] Geospatial industry representation
Message-ID: <CADTxF6b=VroVbn9aevjc2Ud9PbhSNxnbsUKWAiriN0t8c_LSnw@mail.gmail.com>

Hi,

Does anyone here intend to join any of these geospatial industry
representation bodies that are popping up?

I noticed one announced today in Victoria for Victorians but it's probably
too early to tell what their intention is -
https://www.spatialsource.com.au/new-state-based-geospatial-body-launches/

So far all three have indicated they are filling the void left by GCA, but
I'm not clear what void that left? I'm sure they existed for a reason, but
them not being around hasn't had a visible impact from my perspective.

Recently, I attended the first Locus Alliance webinar; about 30 people were
present. They conducted a poll at the start asking about professions, and
over half chose "GIS professional". However, their presentation focused on
surveyors and recognisining national accreditation for surveyors........so
Locus Alliance is a no from me.

Getting to my point: I remember the early OO conversations focused on it
existing to support the local FOSS4G conference. It's since done other
great things supporting grassroots events and other activities in the
region. More recently with the "Map the Mappers" project it looks to be
promoting and advocating for open source professionals and businesses in
the region. I know it's incredibly hard finding the time for anything else
in life as a volunteer and that OO runs on volunteer power. But would OO
have the capacity to represent the open source community if we needed an
industry voice? Not as a fulltime business like GCA was, but as a vehicle
for rallying the troops if we collectively need a voice on an issue? Or is
joining one of these new bodies beneficial for that purpose?

Thanks
Andrew
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From oscar.so at outlook.com  Tue Jun 30 01:41:07 2026
From: oscar.so at outlook.com (Oscar So)
Date: Tue, 30 Jun 2026 08:41:07 +0000
Subject: [OSGeo Oceania] Geospatial industry representation
In-Reply-To: <CADTxF6b=VroVbn9aevjc2Ud9PbhSNxnbsUKWAiriN0t8c_LSnw@mail.gmail.com>
References: <CADTxF6b=VroVbn9aevjc2Ud9PbhSNxnbsUKWAiriN0t8c_LSnw@mail.gmail.com>
Message-ID: <SY7P300MB0067B00035812D4FBDC9BA8E82F72@SY7P300MB0067.AUSP300.PROD.OUTLOOK.COM>

Hi Andrew,

To your first question, maybe - depends if I want to buy what they are offering.

To your second question, A lot of things I imagine. Off the top of my head: sense of community, belonging, professional development, networking. Things like the Economic impact of geospatial services in Australia study. Certification. There's more, but to your point about it not being clear what the void is left, that's something that never goes away with industry associations in general is what the value of them are? Personally my views on associations have been if they don't offer value to you, are you going to want to change that? If not, then are you missing out not being involved with them?

To your third question, its a good question and I imagine that was the void that GCA and its predecessors filled. Unsure on whether OO should fill that role or not. Its a good question though.

All of this is to say I see and hear where you are coming from Andrew. You've asked good questions, I don't have the answers for you, but appreciate you starting a discussion on it.

Kind Regards,
Oscar
________________________________
From: Oceania <oceania-bounces at lists.osgeo.org> on behalf of Andrew Jeffrey via Oceania <oceania at lists.osgeo.org>
Sent: 26 June 2026 15:11
To: OSgeo - Oceania <oceania at lists.osgeo.org>
Subject: [OSGeo Oceania] Geospatial industry representation

Hi,

Does anyone here intend to join any of these geospatial industry representation bodies that are popping up?

I noticed one announced today in Victoria for Victorians but it's probably too early to tell what their intention is - https://www.spatialsource.com.au/new-state-based-geospatial-body-launches/

So far all three have indicated they are filling the void left by GCA, but I'm not clear what void that left? I'm sure they existed for a reason, but them not being around hasn't had a visible impact from my perspective.

Recently, I attended the first Locus Alliance webinar; about 30 people were present. They conducted a poll at the start asking about professions, and over half chose "GIS professional". However, their presentation focused on surveyors and recognisining national accreditation for surveyors........so Locus Alliance is a no from me.

Getting to my point: I remember the early OO conversations focused on it existing to support the local FOSS4G conference. It's since done other great things supporting grassroots events and other activities in the region. More recently with the "Map the Mappers" project it looks to be promoting and advocating for open source professionals and businesses in the region. I know it's incredibly hard finding the time for anything else in life as a volunteer and that OO runs on volunteer power. But would OO have the capacity to represent the open source community if we needed an industry voice? Not as a fulltime business like GCA was, but as a vehicle for rallying the troops if we collectively need a voice on an issue? Or is joining one of these new bodies beneficial for that purpose?

Thanks
Andrew
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From adam.d.steer at gmail.com  Tue Jun 30 13:06:54 2026
From: adam.d.steer at gmail.com (Adam Steer)
Date: Wed, 1 Jul 2026 06:06:54 +1000
Subject: [OSGeo Oceania] Geospatial industry representation
In-Reply-To: <CADTxF6b=VroVbn9aevjc2Ud9PbhSNxnbsUKWAiriN0t8c_LSnw@mail.gmail.com>
References: <CADTxF6b=VroVbn9aevjc2Ud9PbhSNxnbsUKWAiriN0t8c_LSnw@mail.gmail.com>
Message-ID: <CAFORoyi-GYM6jnXSid-5=+N8MdLmdsdYN6gnjuowzx6zJXkh=g@mail.gmail.com>

Hey Andrew

Personally, no. Like you, my general feeling has been "void? what void?"

...and from 20 000 feet away / outside the walls, all these new
organisations look like people who want to keep gates busily building new
gates to keep.

Yes, OSGeo Oceania was formed largely to function as a bank for FOSS4G SotM
Oceania. With some side effects! Because it was (is?) a community
supporting organisation rather than membership service organisation, the
value proposition was "what am I prepared to put in to this system of
things that I value?" rather than "what is OSGeo doing personally for me?".

While it's been a hot minute, I'd expect there's already representation
across geospatial things in the region in the OO board or people
identifying as OO supporters. A thing discussed way back at the start was
how to manage representation at events, and one idea was "well lets reach
out, find an OO identifying person already going, and ask them if they're
comfortable to say some things..." - rather than fly around the same few
people. That approach may still work?

I think a lot of people are going to see the SSSI/GCA/?? mess in a new way
now, and more or less sign up only if they have to for some surveying
registration or other. We're dealing with a pretty switched on sector in
the population. I don't think OO needs to spend energy on deliberate
engagement - rather focus on supporting its already vast and distributed
community. However, its hard to see the lay of the land from so far away...

With regards

--
Dr Adam Steer
https://iamadamsteer.com
https://spatialised.net
Open for consulting / hire
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