We also have what I was told was "an illustrated history", which I took to mean the bit on the old biplanes accompanied by some pictures I had scanned from some of my aviation library.

As noted on the front page the big news is that we are now on the Internet and we are connected to other organisations with the same interests as ourselves - aviation and persons and units who served in the 1939-45 conflict in Europe, North Africa and the Middle East.

Members will also note that we have a new printer - see the back page. When the Committee re-organised the publication sub-committee, it was found that the members were involved in a considerable amount of travelling and to rationalize these matters a new printer was sought nearer to the persons involved.

Our Secretary had some discussions with Mr Warren Tanner, the proprietor of the Minuteman Press in the eastern suburb of Heathmont and, following a meeting with the Vice-President, Secretary and the Editor, a satisfactory financial arrangement was concluded which will mean a reduction in the cost of publishing the newsletter 4 times per year.

The content of the newsletter has been set at a 16 page issue for the January/February issue; 4 pages for the March/April issue and 12 pages for the July and October issues.

Under the new publishing arrangements it is anticipated that photographs of interest will continue to be printed and members are requested, if they have any old pictures they feel may be of interest to our readers, to forward them to either the Secretary or the Editor. After being scanned, they will be returned to their owners.

Also in this issue we have what is considered a definitive article on the Empire Air Training Scheme - EATS, which is better known overseas as the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan - BCATP.

I first spotted it in the newsletter published by a group of ex-air force amateur radio operators who served in various air forces called the Air Forces Amateur Radio Net, or AFARN.

Following contact with the Editor of the AFAR News, Mr Geoff Neville, a former 635 Squadron Navigator, permission to reprint was granted. The source of the article was Mr Ken Stone who served in the RAAF as a WAG, training with 36 Course and the material was forwarded to Mr Neville by another ex-air force radio type, Mr Kevin Dickson, amateur radio call sign VK4 IW. To all these gentlemen we offer our sincere thanks for a most informative and comprehensive article.

As one of the many who started a WAG course at Parkes in 1943, the history of the EATS and the WAGS was most interesting, although the reference to a 4 weeks gunnery course raised a smile. Vice President, Don Ridgeway, and I both did our gunnery at 2 BAGS, Port Pirie, in November/December, 1943, and our course lasted just 19 days, from 20 November to 9 December, as on that
day 2 BAGS was closed and then re-opened as 2 AOS. My arrival in the UK with just 8 ½ hours flying time on Fairey Battles in the log book did not impress my gunnery instructors at OTU.

Members should note the insert in this issue. It concerns the Association's Millenium/Federation Luncheon to be held at the Victoria Hotel, Little Collins Street., Melbourne, on Friday, 16 November, 2001. This is our BIG effort for the year, in scope it may be said to eclipse even our very successful 2001 Reunion and we want as many members, their families and friends to come along and make this occasion a roaring success.

We include, in this issue, a photograph of a Bristol Beaufighter, Mk X. This is to carry on a tradition (that means we have done it at least twice before!) of including a photo of the aircraft in which the President of the Association actually flew on operations.

Wally Eacott flew in a Mk X, with 603 Squadron, in North Africa until he decided to learn to swim the hard way and to mark the occasion of his being the first RAF member to be our president, we availed ourselves of the opportunity.

The bit about the biplanes arose from a TV show I viewed regarding the early war-time history of the RAF and the sight of these aircraft from another age engaging in what we have come to think of as "our war". It was the incentive needed to look at some of the early unit histories. Well, this is the last issue for 2001. On behalf of the President and the Committee may I extend to all our members, their families and friends a sincere wish for a Merry Christmas and a safe, and hopefully, Peaceful New Year.

C.B.M.
Hon. Editor.