Temporary shutdown of AWG and AWGACS office space in response to COVID-19

16 March, 2020

TEMPORARY SHUTDOWN OF AWG AND AWGACS OFFICE

During this time of uncertainty surrounding the spread of novel coronavirus (COVID-19), our priority is to ensure the health and safety of our members, our staff, and the wider community. 

We are closely monitoring advice issued by the Australian Government Department of Health, and the Boards and Management of the Australian Writers’ Guild and Australian Writers' Guild Authorship Collecting Society (AWGACS) have made the following decisions in response.
 
The AWG and AWGACS office is located on a busy part of Pitt Street in Sydney, and staff members transit each day via public transport. With this in mind, the Boards and Management of the Guild and AWGACS have decided that for the safety of staff and their families, all staff members will work remotely from Tuesday 17 March 2020 until further notice.
 
This means that the AWG and AWGACS office space located on Pitt Street, Sydney, will temporarily close and will not be accessible to AWG and AWGACS members or the public. It also means that the AWG and AWGACS phones will be unattended, and all initial correspondence will be conducted via email at admin@awg.com.au. 
 
All AWG and AWGACS staff will continue to work their normal business hours remotely, and we anticipate that all member services, including memberships, industrial advice, script services and professional development initiatives will continue to operate without disruption.
 
We ask that anyone seeking to contact the Australian Writers’ Guild do so by emailing admin@awg.com.au. Anyone seeking to contact AWGACS should email awgacs@awg.com.au.

Both inboxes will be attended between 9am-5pm (AEDT) Monday to Friday, and your message will be forwarded to the relevant staff member.
 
Over the coming days and weeks we will make decisions regarding upcoming AWG events, including our monthly state events and the 53rd Annual AWGIE Awards, so please keep an eye out for future correspondence.
 
This is a tough and uncertain time for all, and we thank you for your patience and understanding. We know many in our arts community are facing challenging times ahead, particularly those working in live performance. We will be monitoring the situation closely and will be seeking ways to support our members and the industry.
 
If you have any questions about the office shutdown, please do not hesitate to get in contact with us. Our phones will be in operation until 5pm (AEDT) today, Monday 16 March 2020, and following that we can be contacted Monday to Friday during normal business hours at admin@awg.com.au.

Sincerely, 
The Boards and Management of the Australian Writers' Guild and Australian Writers' Guild Authorship Collecting Society. 
 
For the latest information on novel coronavirus visit www.health.gov.au or call the Australian Government Department of Health Coronavirus Information Line at 1800 020 080. The line operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week.