New president at Linux Australia

Linux Australia's treasurer John Ferlito has become president of the organisation, following former president James Turnbull's resignation from the post this month.

Sydney-based Ferlito was appointed unanimously at a council meeting on 12 May, and assumes his new role today. He is replaced as treasurer by council newcomer Josh Hesketh.

Turnbull is moving from Melbourne to Portland, Oregon to become operations director for open source data centre software development house Puppet Labs.

He said it would be "unfeasible" to continue his involvement with Linux Australia from the U.S., and did not anticipate significant differences in the U.S. and Australian open source communities, besides the fact that the U.S. community is larger.

"It's a community that inspires a lot of enthusiasm," he told iTnews today. "I think there's probably a broader church in the U.S."

Turnbull was first appointed to the Linux Australia council as an ordinary member in 2008. After a hiatus in 2009, he rejoined the council as president in January this year.

He highlighted his involvement in various linux.conf.au (LCA) events as the fondest memories of his tenure, and hoped to return to Australia for next year's event in Brisbane.

Hesketh was "delighted" to join the council, having first become active in the Linux Australia community when home state of Tasmania was bidding to host linux.conf.au 2009.

He has been on the conference papers committee for the past two years. In the long term, he hoped to see Linux Australia grow its national footprint.

"I hope to get the council more involved in community activities," he told iTnews, hoping for direction from the outcomes of a Linux Australia community survey that closed tonight.

John Ferlito could not be reached for comment today.