Here's a Happy New Year to our listeners all over Queensland and beyond - coming to you from the Darling Downs Radio Club in Toowoomba. I'm John VK4JPM, secretary of the Club, and welcome to 2025. It's Sunday 5th of January, and time for a good look forward to what's coming up this year - all of which you can check on our website.

Hello, I’m Geoff Emery, VK4ZPP, and I’ve been thinking. It seemed a happy coincidence that our Sun joined in the earthly celebrations by providing not one but two solar storms to mark our arbitrary New Year. The fireworks looked spectacular on the TV and the solar winds must have provided entertainment and frustration to radio users around the world. The significance of the New Year is not whether it is correct by the laws of physics and mathematics but the mental prompt it gives us humans to refocus and align our thoughts and actions to priorities that may have slipped from view. For each of us, it marks a new beginning to a new period and the mental stimulus can guide us in new directions and away from patterns that have become routine, is another way of putting it. This small segment, in the weekly news service, is primarily aimed at the club environment but of course, it must also speak to the individuals who make up those clubs. Those of you who have watched the video posted by Hayden, VK7HH, (Ham Radio DX is the channel name) on YouTube, and using material from the recent REAST Conference in Tasmania will be either understanding or shocked at the statements from the WIA members on the panel. Clubs have largely been left to develop their strategies for growth without the support of the peak body for amateur radio. Sadly this merely confirms the impression that many have shared that the Board doesn't have an effective working committee structure. Past years have seen much effort given to aiding clubs and hopefully, we can see a resurgence of activity in this area. Here in VK4, we no longer have any state hierarchy between members, clubs and the WIA. How much is shared in the online video meetings with club presidents and ultimately with club members seems to be an unknown quantity. There is a ballot for WIA Directors coming up shortly and I hope we see some inspiring presentations and enthusiasm for growing our hobby and our clubs. It is not usually advised that the flaws in our activities are published. Still, we take part in a “communications” activity which is largely done over the air and person to person. I hope that more amateurs can contribute to the discussions and that more clubs can evaluate their situation regardless of the leadership we once valued. It is a new year and the calendar has been marked with activities to be addressed. Is this too much to hope and expect that the Board, which carries the legal responsibility of supporting and developing amateur radio in VK-land, might shine a light on itself so that we all can see the efforts being made to fulfil the duties of being Director? I’m Geoff Emery VK4ZPP and that’s what I think….how about you?