%20%20(14).png)
GTAV 2026 Annual Conference - From the President
We are so excited to invite you to the 2026 GTAV Annual Conference. For many Geography teachers working away by themselves or in small teams at their own school, this conference is the high point of the year, where we can come together, share our practice, learn from each other and leave inspired to get back to the classroom. Every year I leave the Annual Conference with so many ideas, resources and possibilities that I can’t wait to try out in class. We are thrilled to be able to bring you this event once again at the RACV City Club, with its unique views of the Melbourne CBD.
This year, global uncertainty and economic challenges have made Geography teaching more relevant than ever. It is certain that the Strait of Hormuz was not well known to many people before this year, but its geopolitical importance has certainly made itself known to all today! It is this type of interconnected world that showcases the unique vantage point of Geography in schools to engage students in world events, and understand the myriad ways in which we are interconnected to places far away. The Conference theme this year “People, Change and Interconnections” serves to reorient us to some of the key themes of Geography, and promises to spark many interesting discussions on Conference Day.
This year, we have flipped the script slightly and are going to hold the fieldwork day first. Fieldwork is a cherished and unique part of Geography teaching and learning, and I encourage you to sign up for one of our fieldwork sessions, which range from the coastlines of Port Phillip Bay to the Toolangi forests, from urban fringe land use change to using GIS at the Melbourne Zoo. Having been on several of the fieldwork trips across the years, I can highly recommend this as a powerful combination with the workshop sessions on Day 2.
Finally, thank you to all of those among you who have put your hand up to present a session at this year’s conference. Geographers learning from each other is at the core of what we want to facilitate at this year’s conference, and we are so grateful to have such expertise among our many presenters. They are ably supported by a wonderful array of industry and trade exhibitors who will provide you with many opportunities both in and out of the classroom to deepen your expertise and level up your teaching.
As they do every year, the GTAV staff have worked tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure everything runs smoothly. I thank them for everything they do to help ensure that we can all learn as much as possible and enjoy Annual Conference to the fullest.
Please come and say hello during the Conference. I enjoy meeting with members and look forward to this day all year. I hope you do too, and enjoy the Conference!
Steve Barrett
GTAV President