05 December 2009:

It is hard to believe that on 12th December we hold our last OGM of 2009. One significant achievement is the production of the first AAQ Calendar for 2010. This has been largely due to the efforts of Tony Dutton, David O'Driscoll and Terry Cuttle, with images provided by AAQ members. For those members who did not attend the November OGM and therefore did not place orders for the calendar, you can still place orders by contacting the General Secretary or by attending the December OGM in person. So far, over 50 copies were ordered by members at the previous OGM.

Astronomy 2010

In theory, at the December OGM, the new Astronomy 2010 Guide to the Night Sky should be available for distribution to those who ordered them.

December 12th OGM & End-of-Year Dinner

The December OGM starts at 3pm at the STBP on the 12th December; This month, the Main Item consists of contributions from the members attending; any member is invited to present their favourite astronomical gadget (home made or off the shelf), or a brief précis of recent astronomical experiences. This ‘once a year' opportunity is usually an interesting event with often surprising presentations. You do not have to be an expert to contribute.

There will be no observing scheduled after the meeting, however, many members will be enjoying an end-of-year dinner at the Ruan Thai restaurant (BYO, 1^st Floor, 6a Sherwood Road) in Toowong. I shall make a booking for about 20 people, but if you were not at the November OGM and would like to attend, please contact me before the December meeting, so I can advise the restaurant of numbers.

February AGM & Annual Lunch

An early reminder that the 2010 AGM will be held at Wordsmith's Cafe at the University of Queensland St Lucia campus at 12:30pm on 13^th February 2010. Any nominations for office bearers of the AAQ should have been submitted by now. Should no nominations from the membership be submitted, the AAQ Council will ensure all positions are filled.

Related to the February AGM is the production and distribution of the AAQ Annual Proceedings. All office bearers should submit a brief report on their activities during 2009; members with observatories can submit observatory activity reports. Refer to the Annual Proceedings for 2008 (distributed in February 2009) for help in preparing your report. All members are invited to submit personal astronomical activity reports.

Membership

There were no new memberships ratified since the last Council meeting. However, it is timely to remind members to pay their membership fees directly to the treasurer, Peter Culshaw, or online using the AAQ account details: BSB 014274, Acc 598680257 . Remember to identify your payment online so Peter knows which member has paid.

I wish all members and their families a Happy, Safe and Peaceful Christmas and New Year season and hope to see all of you at the February AGM. I shall be travelling to Adelaide for my traditional family re-union, returning to Cleveland before the New Year.