ANNUAL REPORT: Several members contributed to the presentation of the Annual report. First the President drew attention to the 70th Anniversary Luncheon which was most successful and to the history that had been distributed at that function. He acknowledged the role of Roma Wood as Coordinator of Teachers; and the services rendered by, among others, Gordon Love as Resource Officer, Mike Smith especially in relation to the front garden and by the Editors of “Whispers”, “WOJJSAY” and “Listening Post”.

Roma Wood mentioned the progress of the group at Batemans Bay and the Short Course being conducted by the Audiology Department of Macquarie University, and expressed thanks to Louise Kelly for her assistance. She also mentioned that as a result of an advertisement placed by Volunteering NSW in the “Sydney Morning Herald” there were now more people training to be teachers than for many years.

Sue Daw, Convenor of the Canberra Group, especially mentioned their fund raising activities, and also Hearing Awareness Week, 2005.

NOMINATIONS: The President advised that nominations had been received as follows:
President, Mary Silk; Vice-President, David James; Secretary, Judy Walton; Treasurer, John Steel; 3 members of the Committee of Management, Louise Kelly, Peter Perry, Leone Sperling.
These were elected for the year 2006/2007. The President acknowledged the services of Ruth Fotheringham who had decided not to stand again for the Committee.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS: The President then expressed appreciation to Gordon Love for installation of the audio loop both for this function and on other occasions, and to all the teachers, office volunteers and those who helped with funding raising activities and in many other ways that assisted the work of Better Hearing Australia.

Sr Mary Silk as incoming President, then expressed appreciation to Peter Perry OAM for the tremendous amount of effort expended on behalf of the Branch since his appointment nearly five years ago, and then presented an Appreciation Award to Peter.

Sr Mary then showed a PowerPoint presentation covering the 70th Anniversary Luncheon in June, the Open Day in July and the 60th National Conference in September.

MEDALLIONS: Presentation of Clear Speech medallions were then made to Joe O’Brien (winner of the Award in 2005) and Roger Climpson, OAM (winner on eight occasions). In response Joe O’Brien briefly spoke of his bicycle trip of Italy during June/July and Roger Climpson related a number of amusing anecdotes from his career in the entertainment industry over the past fifty-plus years. Both previous winners spoke of the importance of the Clear Speech Award. A vote of thanks was carried by acclamation.