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J W Flynn Oration

J W Flynn Orator Nominations – ANC 2026 

 From Coast to Country: Creating Ripples, Making Waves 

 

CALL FOR NOMINATIONS

 

ASLITA is calling for nominations for the presenter of the 2026 JW Flynn Oration, at the ASLITA National Conference in Geelong, VIC. The successful nominee will receive full registration, accommodation and travel expenses to attend the ANC.

 

Nominators should refer to the below ‘Background information and criteria for selecting candidates’ information’, in order to prepare their nomination.

 

Deadline:

Nominations for the 2026 JW Flynn Oration close on 29 March 2026

Responses regarding the outcome will be sent to nominators by 2 April 2026.

 

Nomination formats:

Submissions may be in written English or Auslan.

 

Submission of nominations:

All nominations must be submitted using the official nomination form. You can request an official nomination form at the bottom of this page

  • In written English: complete the form and email to Board Secretary lauren@aslita.au
  • In Auslan: upload your Auslan submission to YouTube and provide the URL link on the form provided, and email to lauren@aslita.au

 

Please state the following on your email: ‘Confidential JW Flynn Oration Submission’.

 

General queries regarding the JW Flynn Oration nomination process can be directed to ANC Convenor neil@aslita.au

 

 

BACKGROUND INFORMATION – JW FLYNN ORATION

 

The John W Flynn Oration is an ASLITA initiative, named in honour of an interpreter and welfare worker of many years’ experience, who was instrumental in establishing NAATI accreditation and training systems for Auslan interpreters. In 1977, NAATI was established, and in April 1979, it was mooted sign language interpreters be considered for accreditation, with Mr John W Flynn a driving force behind the proposal.

 

After several exchanges, John was successful in securing a meeting with NAATI in October 1981, submitting a strong case arguing the legitimacy of Australian Sign Language as a language, and the need for practitioners working in the deafness sector to be accredited to perform the task of interpreting. NAATI accepted the proposal with John becoming a member of the NAATI Board, and Chairman of the very first panel established to assess sign language interpreting candidates. On the 22nd November 1982, the initial NAATI test was conducted in Melbourne. Since that time, NAATI accreditation has become commonplace, with over 1,100 Auslan interpreters currently accredited. In addition to his role regarding NAATI accreditation of Auslan interpreters, John was pivotal in the push to establish a training course for sign language interpreters in Victoria in the mid to late 1980’s. He was a forerunner in the provision of theatre interpreting and is the author of several articles and a book about the history of the Victorian Deaf Society and interpreting services in Australia.

 

The Oration carries its name in recognition of John’s pioneering work in the field. Following his inaugural oration in 1996, many well-respected and influential practitioners of interpreting, consumers of interpreting services, interpreter educators and researchers have delivered the JW Flynn Oration. Describing the personal and professional journeys of the individuals concerned, the Oration also recognises the orators as pioneers in various ways, as very strong ambassadors of sign language interpreters and contributors to the professionalisation of the interpreting field.

 

On past occasions, the Oration has been delivered by:

 

1996 John W Flynn (VIC) presented in Hobart, TAS

2000 Marianne Bridge (VIC) presented in Sydney, NSW

2002 Peter Bonser (QLD, formerly NSW) presented in Melbourne, VIC

2003 Harry Blackmore (WA) presented in Sydney, NSW

2004 Amanda Dolejsi (ACT) presented in Launceston, TAS

2005 Andrew Wiltshire (NSW) presented in Cairns, QLD

2006 Jemina Napier (NSW) presented in Perth, WA

2007 Karen Bontempo (WA) presented in Sydney, NSW

2008 Patricia Levitzke-Gray (WA) presented in Darwin, NT

2009 Della Goswell (NSW) presented in Melbourne, VIC

2010 Merie Spring (QLD) presented in Brisbane, QLD

2011 Maree Madden (QLD) presented in Sydney, NSW

 

 

Those delivering the Oration are selected by the ASLITA Board Executive, and are confirmed in consultation with the state committee hosting the ASLITA National Conference, where possible and appropriate.

 

ASLITA will meet all direct costs associated with the orator’s attendance at, and participation in, the ASLITA National Conference. In 2026, the ASLITA National Conference will be held in Geelong, VIC, on the 9th – 11th October.

CRITERIA FOR SELECTING ORATORS:

 

Candidates under consideration for the presentation of the JW Flynn Oration should meet the following criteria, as determined by the ASLITA Board Executive.

 

The following, are examples for how to respond to each criterion:

 

1. Outstanding contribution to the field of Auslan interpreting:

 

Description: Please describe the contribution to the field of interpreting the nominee has demonstrated.

You could address the following criteria:

  • Nominee’s experience and length of involvement as a professional in the field of interpreting and/or interpreter education.
  • Examples of leadership demonstrated through participation in local, national and/or international activities, committees, tasks forces etc. that further the goals and mission of the interpreting profession.
  • Recognition of the nominee’s singular devotion of time and effort to interpreter education programs and development of the interpreting profession as a whole.

 

2. Current ASLITA membership and service (held for at least the past 3 years):

 

Description: Please describe the commitment to ASLITA the nominee has demonstrated.

You could address the following criteria:

  • Regular and sustained service to ASLITA and/or other interpreting organisations.
  • Evidence that the nominee has had regular and sustained service to ASLITA through the holding of various offices and positions within the organisation and that they have fulfilled specific responsibilities for the organisation.
  • Must been of good standing in the community.

 

3. Widely respected amongst peers and exemplifies dedication to the development of the professional of interpreting:

 

Description: Please describe what contributions the nominee has made to supporting student interpreters and colleagues.

You could address the following criteria:

  • A demonstrated willingness to share their time, expertise and abilities with other ASLITA members.
  • Advocates for professional development opportunities for all interpreters, regardless of skill level.
  • Advocates for the rights of interpreters to be treated as professionals.
  • Promotes the field in every way and supports organisations, such as ASLITA.

 

4. Australian citizen or permanent resident.

General

 

All ASLITA members are eligible to nominate a fellow deaf or hearing member to present the prestigious JW Flynn Oration, however greater weight will be given to collective and/or single nominations that are submitted and clearly endorsed directly by the local ASLITA State Committee (where applicable).

 

All nominations must be submitted using the official nomination form.

 

Submissions should address the above criteria in as much detail as possible, as the ASLITA Board Executive can only assess applications based on the information received, rather than on personal or professional knowledge of an applicant.

 

The ASLITA Board Executive decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into once the orator has been selected.

CLICK HERE TO REQUEST A NOMINATION FORM

Create ripples. Make Waves.