It's hard to believe that the SAA is now 35 years old. It seems that it just keeps rolling along.

In June last year our "Founding Father", Cameron Greig died, having lasted longer than anyone expected, himself included. Many of the SAA attended the funeral, which featured some lovely Glenn Miller music (chosen by Cameron in advance, as you'd expect) and an address - toned down, I'm told - written and delivered by his son Erland. If you're of that inclination, you may believe that he's now studying the stars and planets at a closer proximity - and driving everyone daft as he tries to figure out his co-ordinates. Part of his legacy to the world is the SAA, otherwise we would not be gathered here tonight.

Here is an appreciation link which also appeared in "Transit".

Anyway, in 2008/09, despite the SAA having Saturn opposing radical Mercury in Pisces, we managed a good and splendid programme, compiled partly by Mark, which featured guest speakers such as Claire Chandler, Kate Czerny, Maggi Wilson, Steve Owens and Derek Walters. We also continued what proved to be the popular themed discussion evenings, as well as welcoming back our many local and talented speakers. I've had a preview of Mark's next programme and I know you're going to like this one too!

Later this year the SAA will experience the Jupiter/ Neptune conjunction over its radical Jupiter/ MC/ Sun (also trining our Uranus and Saturn and sextiling our Moon), and perhaps I haven't the foggiest idea what this means. The natal Jupiter/ MC/ Sun conjunction, within 2 degree of orb, does tend us to believe that we're the bee's knees - justifiably, of course! Presumably our delusions can only amplify, but if we all turn up to lots of talks, then we'll be right, won't we?

However, one result is that the current Chair is being "liberated"! The committee's choice of candidate is Sarah Stone, and perhaps the Neptunian transits will manifest as bewilderment at someone charming and polite chairing meetings from now on. When I first proposed Sarah as Chair, there was a scramble amongst the committee members to second her. I thought at first that Christine had won, but Mark challenged this on a Constitutional technicality, so he's got his name in instead. As we're a democratic organisation, you are entitled to propose someone else from the floor tonight, in which case we'll resort to our Mercury in Pisces and adopt temporary selective deafness. As she'll be elected on the same day that Morgan Richard Tsvangerai was sworn in as Prime Minister of Zimbabwe, things should be looking up.

I'd like to thank all committee members of the past 4 years for their help and support, and also the membership for supporting the SAA. The SAA is its membership: what the committee does is for the members and can't be done without the members.

Look forward to seeing you many times before our next birthday party!

Caroline Gerard, Chair
11th February 2009