Earlier this year, we decided to hold ANZIIS jointly with DICTA to allow us to reduce costs by sharing infrastructure and prominent invited speakers. We also thought that this would encourage the sharing of ideas and the latest research in a wider community. As the year progressed, we were asked to handle the papers which had been submitted to MEDSIP when this conference was cancelled. As a result of this three-way consolidation, I am certain that the combined conference will be the largest of its kind ever held in Australia.

The organisation of the joint conference itself and the electronic reviewing and submission of papers has been something of a challenge, but I am certain that we now have an exciting technical program embracing the latest international research. Indeed, the number of international participants at ANZIIS 2003 is extremely high by historical standards with participants flying in from Asia, Europe, and North America.

All technical papers were peer refereed by up to four members of our international program committee. We had 110 submissions to ANZIIS, but have accepted only 78 for the proceedings. There are two parallel oral streams and two poster sessions — the oral and poster papers receive equal prominence in the proceedings. Finally, participants at ANZIIS will receive free membership of the Australian Pattern Recognition Society for one year including newsletter subscription and discounts to coming technical events.

I would like to thank Anthony Maeder, Duncan Campbell, and Clinton Fookes for their marvellous organisational and technical support at the Brisbane node. I must also thank the DICTA team in Sydney who have performed remarkably considering the size and complexity of the event.

Hope to catch up with all of you at some stage. Please enjoy ANZIIS 2003.

Brian Lovell
Technical Chair ANZIIS 2003
President of the Australian Pattern Recognition Society