Hi All Below the latest newsletter from AFFHO. Some time ago the FPFHG commited to being part of the Congress 2012 - Adelaide so we thought members might like to be kept up to date with some details. Regards Vanessa Catterall Australasian Federation of Family History Organisations (AFFHO) Report on Council Meeting 5th August 2008 The Council met by Teleconference on the 5th August, the first meeting since the 4th February, the previous meeting being the AGM. A number of issues were discussed. National Family History Week The Week was launched by Mark Holden of popular music fame in Melbourne on the 1st August. I attended the launch, which was attended by about 50 people. The launch went well and Mark spoke on his own family history discoveries, a World War I casualty, three generations running a circus etc. 978 packages were posted out to family and local history societies. The Week was sponsored by the National Archives and Family Search for $10,000. There has been a good take up and promotion of the Week by archives and public libraries in particular. A number of societies have had open days, waiving visitor's fees for the day or week. Nick Vine Hall Award This Award is for the best journal submitted in two categories. The judging panel was Patricia Barth (widow of Nick) of The Family Scriptorium, chair; Michele Stephens of the Australian Family Tree Connection; and Andrew Peake. The winners were; Category A (societies with less than 200 members)- 5 journals submitted for judging. First, Links 'n Chains (Liverpool Genealogical Society); Second, Southern Suburbs Scroll (Southern Suburbs Branch, GSQ). Category B (societies with more than 200 members) - 7 journals submitted for judging. First, Western Ancestor (WA Genealogical Society); Queensland Family Historian (Queensland Family History Society). Complete details will appear in the next edition of the AFFHO Newsletter, together with some comments by the judges to assist editors to improve their journal's as this is an important aspect of the Award. Treasurer's Report The Treasurer has some $37,000 in hand, although expenses for the Nick Vine Hall Award and National Family History Week have still to be received. New Members The Secretary reported that a number of new societies have joined AFFHO. Congress 2009 - Auckland Registration is open and to date about 120 registrations have been received. They are hoping for between 450 and 600 delegates for the 16-20 January, 2009 Congress. More details including the program available on their website. www.affhocongress2009.org Congress 2012 - Adelaide A logo has been accepted and planning is currently focused on promoting the Congress in Auckland in January. A website and email address has been acquired and will be developed in the next few months. Other Business Federation of Family History Societies (England) - they have closed their publishing arm, after over-reaching themselves financially. Genealogical Society of Utah (the family history arm of the LDS Church) has renamed itself Family Search (the name of their website). Triennial AFFHO Award -Nominations for this three yearly award - these close on the 30th October. Andrew Peake, Vice President & SA Representative