March 2021 Newsletter

Dear Members and Friends Since our last newsletter, the UK vaccination programme has accelerated at pace and the British government has published its roadmap for easing restrictions. Although we are not out of the woods yet, we have been busily planning many exciting events for you when things open up more, as well as continuing to provide exciting and topical online events and other offers. We cannot thank you enough for your continued and valued support over this last year. With light now at the end of the tunnel, we are continuing to plan our 50th anniversary events, the first of which is our President's Reception on 23 June. We have a very special outdoor venue planned so that this will be an "in person event". More details on this will follow shortly. Numbers will be limited so early booking is advised. Please save this date and watch out for our invitation! As well as our regular newsletters, we have also re-launched our social media platforms to keep you updated on all the exciting things we have coming up. Please follow us on Instagram, Facebook and Linkedin - live links below. Last night saw a world exclusive with our B-AS charity partner, The Royal Flying Doctor Service - a live webinar and panel discussion called "On the Front Line with the Royal Flying Doctors". RFDS Friends in the UK Chairperson, Peter Box, interviewed a key team from the RFDS who provided a fascinating first-hand insight into the remarkable work done every day in Australia's remote communities. For those who missed the live broadcast, the RFDS has very kindly agreed to provide a copy which will be available later this month on the Members' only section of our website. A huge thank you to our sponsor, bdhSterling, who helped us stage this event. In fact, in recent discussions with bdhSterling (a financial advisory firm with offices both here and in Australia as well as being a B-AS corporate partner), we started exploring ways in which the world might change post-Covid and Brexit for those wishing to split their time between Britain and another base, particularly Australia. To this end we are pleased to announce a new webinar on 13 April at 8am in conjunction with bdhSterling called "Living the Transatlantic Life". Booking details will follow shortly so please look out for those. With so much time at home, I also had the great fortune to view the excellent webinar hosted by the Cook Society last month with leading epidemiologist, Dr Geoffery Porges - "What Next for Covid-19". The Cook Society has again very kindly provided us with a copy of this extremely interesting presentation which explores issues surrounding the current pandemic. It certainly provides food for thought and will be available for viewing this week on the Members' only section of our website. Our "Meet the B-AS" initiative continues apace, this month with Member Kate O'Neill. To read more about Kate, please see below. So many of our Members have done fascinating things. Please do get in touch with Louise and Marina in the office if you have a story you would like to share. Finally, we have another book giveaway for you this month! First time author of his own book at 75 (he has previously published academic works only), Allan Krosch, has 3 copies of his excellent book "Little Things That Stick in the Mind" to give away to Members. Read this while enjoying our fabulous discount offer from Winedelivered.co.uk which is available until the end of this month. Please do read on or contact the office for further details. If you are not already a Member, please click here to access our Membership page and sign up now to support the work we do and to take advantage of our "Members Only" offers and events. Best wishes, Damian J. Walsh Chairman