As it is a new financial year, I would remind members that their membership renewal is due and that the AMMA conference and JHC Symposium is rapidly approaching. Please register as soon as possible to avoid the last minute hassles of registering and finding accommodation in Canberra. The organising committee, ably lead by the indomitable Dr Nader Abou-Seif, is well advanced in ensuring this conference will be one not to miss.
David Mearns has confirmed that he will be speaking on the search for the Hospital Ship CENTAUR which he directed late last year on behalf of the Queensland Government. He has a wonderful series of underwater images of the shipwreck, showing the Red Cross on the side of the ship and hospital beds on the seafloor, that would feature in his presentation and he would also use part of his talk to highlight the role of hospital ships during the war and the part played by key medical personnel.
Congratulations must go to Air Commodore Hugh Bartholomeusz OAM and, Colonel Craig Schramm CSC, AMMA members honoured in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List. I am sure all members of the Australian Military Medicine Association would like to offer them hearty congratulations on achieving these rare and richly deserved distinctions. It is pleasing to see that the efforts of outstanding health personnel are being recognised.
Finally, I would like to add that AMMA council is exploring ways in which we can improve the distribution, funding and look of the journal. We know that AMMA members are involved in areas of research and have experiences that are both of interest, and potentially of help to our membership and I take this opportunity once again to encourage you all to consider submitting an article to JMVH. As an association we can only benefit from your experiences and knowledge and your contribution will also help in the growth of the journal and the improvement of the association.
I look forward to seeing members and friends of AMMA at our spectacular conference of the 28th October.
