ASOV AGM Committee Elections 2025/2026 – Candidate Statements

As we prepare for the ASOV AGM & Committee Elections for 2025/2026, we are pleased to share the statements provided by all nominees.

The past year has marked a major turning point for the Aquarium Society of Victoria. With modernisation, teamwork, and a strong member-first approach, the club has achieved:

• Record membership growth — from 83 to over 240 members
• A far more positive and welcoming culture
• Improved communication, including the highly successful Member Jungle platform
• Stronger events, higher attendance, and greater community engagement

These results were only possible because the majority of the committee embraced change, worked collaboratively, supported innovation, and remained open to new ideas, qualities that have undeniably moved the society forward.

We are fortunate this year to have several excellent new nominees, along with returning nominees who have actively contributed to the club’s progress and positive culture. Their values and approach align strongly with the direction the society has taken over the past year.

For full transparency, statements from all returning and new nominees are included below in alphabetical order by surname. As members consider their vote, we encourage everyone to reflect on which candidates:

• supported the systems and improvements that delivered our strongest year ever
• contributed positively to member engagement
• helped drive the growth, stability, and momentum of 2024–2025
• embody the collaborative, forward-thinking culture that has strengthened the ASOV

Your vote will determine whether the society continues to build on this progress, or risks returning to approaches that previously limited growth and member involvement.

Thank you for taking the time to review each nominee and for supporting the continued development of our club.

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NOMINEE STATEMENTS (Alphabetical by Surname)

(All bios unedited and reproduced exactly as submitted)

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Nevil Amos

I’ve been passionate about aquaria and aquatic life for over 50 years, actively involved in aquarium clubs both in the UK and here in Australia. For the past decade, I’ve proudly served on the ASV committee, including nine years as treasurer, where I managed receipt of the Paton bequest, the source of the club’s financial future.

My love for the hobby centres on breeding fish, low maintenance planted tanks. Killifish, Rainbowfish, shell-dwelling cichlids, and wild-type angelfish are favourites, though I enjoy exploring other species too.

As past treasurer and committee member, I’ve encouraged strategies to secure the club’s sustainability well into its second century. I’ve also advocated for funding international guest speakers and supporting research and conservation projects—because our hobby thrives when we give back. Proper governance matters to a well-run club, so I’m committed to maintaining high standards in decision-making and record-keeping.

Looking ahead, my vision is for ASV to remain a vibrant and welcoming community for all members with growth that respects our resources. I’d love to see more members share their knowledge in presentations at meetings and participate in the relaunched Breeders’ Award Scheme—whether you’re a novice or an expert. As we consider relocation to a new venue, I’m excited about the possibility of hosting conferences and workshops featuring top speakers, while tapping into the incredible expertise within our own ranks. Together, we can keep the club thriving and inspire the next generation of aquarium hobbyists.

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Paul Byham

My name is Paul Byham and I have been a member of ASoV since 2000. My main interests are planted aquariums, aquatic plants and freshwater shrimp. I am the owner of Reservoir Aquatics plant tissue culture laboratory.

I am re-standing as a member of the committee in 2025/2026.

I first joined the ASoV committee in 2019 and for the last 18 months have been the Vice President and was the acting president for 2 months up until the AGM in 2024.

Since 2021 I have worked to hold 2 fish fairs each year for members to sell their fish, plants or equipment.

In 2023 I worked to upgrade the AV system in the hall.

For the last 2 years I have worked with Greg Walker on the Shrimp Keepers of Vic sub club.

I ran the ASoV Photo competition in 2024 and arranged the Xmas party at the Studley Park boat house.

I am proposing term limits are implemented for both the President & Secretary roles in the new constitution, as in the current constitution this only applies to the President.

In the following year I will be working on some new local and international speakers, holding more fish fairs, having the club magazine (Fishtales) produced quarterly and working on re-establishing the Aquatic plant study group which ran for over 35 yrs in EDAS, growing the shrimp club and growing the club to be the best in Australia.

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Frank Di Giorgio

My passion for aquarium keeping began as a kid when our family got a 2 foot fish tank in our living room. Years later I got my own aquarium, starting with the basics and soon after began breeding angelfish. After a break, I returned to the hobby and discovered the beauty of planted tanks. I’m currently enjoying breeding Apistogramma and keeping a variety of smaller fish species that bring colour and personality to my planted tanks.

What I value most about this hobby is the community it builds. I’ve met so many great people and formed friendships I never would have imagined, all through a shared love of aquariums. There’s so much experience held by many hobbyists that I’m grateful for. I also enjoy talking with new members, especially the young ones. Hearing their excitement and enthusiasm breathes new life into the hobby.

As a member of the Aquarium Society of Victoria, I’ve seen how much the society contributes to learning, connecting like minded people and responsible fishkeeping.

If elected to, I’d like to help strengthen that by listening to current members, making our monthly meetings even more enjoyable, sharing information, increasing our social media presence, engaging more with local aquarium shops, and running special events that bring members together and attract new hobbyists.

Through ASOV, I’ve truly found my people, so my vision is to continue building an inspiring community that celebrates the creativity and fun of fishkeeping.

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Adam Heppenstall

A bit about me:
Originally from the UK, I moved to Australia in 2011 and settled in Melbourne in 2016. I’ve been attending ASOV club events since 2018. My main hobby is fishkeeping, though I’ve also kept and bred reptiles in the past.

Experience and favourite part of the hobby:
Over the years, I’ve kept most of the species available in the hobby, but for the last decade my main focus has been on wild species of Betta. I’d also love to work with other anabantoids such as Ctenopoma and Channa, but unfortunately these are restricted in Australia.

My relationship with the hobby has always been something of an obsession. Many people find fishkeeping relaxing. I’ve never really understood that! For me, maintaining a fish room (the infamous “multiple tank syndrome”) isn’t relaxing, but it’s deeply stimulating in a way that’s hard to put into words.

Vision for ASOV moving forward:
One of my main interests is promoting diversity within the hobby. Freshwater fish make up about a quarter of all known vertebrates on Earth, yet only around 2.5% of the planet’s water is freshwater. As a child, I was fascinated by the sheer variety of species, every shape and colour imaginable. With so many habitats under threat and species disappearing, I sometimes wonder if that sense of discovery will still be possible for future generations.

Nowadays, many aquarium shops stock the same limited range, and as online content replaces books and magazines many of the channels repeat the same content. I believe ASOV is in a unique position to help change that. While many clubs around the world are struggling, ASOV has the potential to thrive and with that comes the responsibility to promote diversity. With the strict biosecurity laws in Australia, diversity is already limited, often fish enter the country and disappear without a trace, there’s so much more to the hobby than guppies and the profit fueled mass-produced species. Yes many of these are not financially viable to mass produce, but that doesn't mean they aren't as beautiful or interesting, most of them probably more so.

I’d love to see ASOV introduce annual competitions that encourage members to keep and breed unique or overlooked species. This would not only enrich our club’s diversity but also inspire curiosity and conservation-minded fishkeeping in our community.

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Jan Kleyn

I’m pleased to nominate for a position on the committee. Many of you know me already, and I hope my contributions so far have reflected my commitment to the club.

Having served on the committee at EDAS and for many years at ASofV—including a few years as President and as trading table steward—I bring a solid understanding of how the club operates. I’m passionate about freshwater fish keeping and enjoy exploring the diversity and care of different species. I’d also love to see our fish auctions evolve and thrive again, and I’m keen to help revamp them at some stage to better serve our members and attract wider interest.

With this background and enthusiasm, I hope to support ASofV’s continued growth and success, and foster a collaborative, inclusive environment within the committee and across our membership.

Thank you for considering my nomination. I look forward to the opportunity to serve again and contribute positively to our shared hobby and community.

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Alex Leong

A bit about me

Background: I’m a problem-solver with a passion for making complex topics approachable. I enjoy exploring how hobby communities like ASOV can share knowledge, support new hobbyists, and celebrate biodiversity. My approach is collaborative, evidence-based, and community-oriented.

Interests: In addition to aquariums, I’m into ecosystem thinking, sustainable hobby practices, and connecting people across ages and skill levels to learn from one another. I’m especially drawn to how small, practical improvements can have meaningful positive impacts in hobbyist communities.

My experienced in aquarium keeping / favourite part of the hobby since 2016. ( Multiblog.com.au)
Experience: I’ve kept a range of freshwater setups. I enjoy culturing most live fish food culture ( In house Phytoplankton for adulthood brine shrimps full cycle generation.)

I’m particularly fond of small fish (e.g., tetras and betta).
Favourite part of the hobby: Providing live fish food culture to fishes and seeing the beautiful colour as they grow.

Vision for ASOV moving forward

What I’d like to contribute: A focus on practical education, accessible guides, and robust Q&A resources. I’d love to help organise beginner-friendly pathways (starter tanks, common pitfalls, basic water chemistry), case studies from members, and a searchable repository of reliable species care information.
Also actively invite Guest Speakers to ASOV ( subject to approval by ASOV)
 

Ideas I’d like to see developed:
A member-led mentorship program pairing newcomers with experienced keepers.

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Natalie "Nat" Wilkinson

Hi there! My name is Nat, and I’ve been keeping and breeding freshwater fish for a number of years now, with a particular passion for nano species, angelfish and plecos. I enjoy being an active part of the local fish community both offline and online, and I really love the way this hobby constantly evolves, teaches patience, and encourages curiosity. I proudly call myself an underwater weirdo, and I wear that with joy.

I produce aquarium content and educational videos, and I believe strongly in helping make good information easier to access, especially for newer keepers who don’t always know where to start or who to trust.

The species I enjoy working with most are community fish, danios, plecos and angelfish and I’m currently doing more species focused breeding projects.

My hope in joining the committee is to help bring greater diversity to the club — diversity of voices, backgrounds, and experience. I also want to ensure ASOV remains a safe and welcoming space for all fishkeepers, whether you’re young or old, brand new or decades into the hobby. Everyone deserves to feel like they belong here.

Moving forward I’d love to help build more educational pathways, more collaboration between members, and more hands-on shared learning so we can keep growing together… and not just flounder around or tank our potential.