A busy weekend for the WIA and much more to come

Many people in the WIA and the radio clubs have had a very busy week answering questions about the changes to the amateur service introduced on October 19. Many of those contacting the WIA were looking for information on the new Foundation Licence. The WIA phones and e-mails ran hot all week with many questions, and there is a lot more to come.

On Friday night, October 21 Michael Owen visits the Moorabbin & District Radio Club for a presentation of the first 9 band DXCC to David Mc Aualy, VK3EW. A 9 band DXCC is no small achievement. 100 stations in 100 countries 9 times over are, as the certificate says, 900 countries! To achieve this involves rare perseverance, equipment that really works, and special skills. Michael's presentation speech can be read below.

Bright and early on Saturday morning sees Director, Robert VK3KRB drive to Wagga for the Riverina Field Day. The Wagga Amateur Radio Club will be this year's host for the annual Riverina Field Day. Robert will spend the weekend answering the many questions Radio amateurs have regarding the new licensing arrangements.

Michael will be up early on Saturday, October 22 to travel to Queensland for the annual "Presidents Lunch", a gathering of many VK4 clubs. Then it's down to the Gold Coast for Sunday to Visit the Gold Coast Club. Michael will be discussing the first foundation licence training course and meeting several of the participants, include our first Foundation Licensee, Amanda, VK4FRST.

Reports on these evens will be posted to the WIA website early next week.

9 Band DXCC Presentation 21 October 2005

This has been a momentous week in amateur radio, with the coming into force of the statutory instrument, the ACMA Determination that created the Foundation Licence and effectively bundled up our existing licenses into the Standard and Advanced licences.

One of the great things of amateur radio is that it encompasses so many quite different aspects. One of those areas of special interest are the various awards, and the WIA is very lucky that our Awards Program is run by someone who is totally committed and very determined, and who has used the need to change the awards to reflect the new national WIA by not just removing the word Federal, but creating a whole range of new and exciting awards. That is, of course, our WIA Awards Manager, Mal Johnson, VK6LC.

Tonight I have the privilege of making a presentation on behalf of our WIA Awards program, presenting David McAulay, VK3EW with the very first WIA 9 Band DXCC Award, certificate number 1, which he achieved last May.

And, just saying that, compels we to say to David that I do hope that you don�t think that this presentation has been unreasonably delayed, but I have been away for some 6 weeks, and it was necessary to find a suitable time and place to make this important presentation.

A 9 band DXCC is no small achievement. 100 stations in 100 countries 9 times over are, as the certificate says, 900 countries! To achieve that involves rare perseverance, equipment that really works, and special skills.

Mal tells me that David would be our youngest top VK DXer all rounder, gaining his first DXCC Certificate in November 2000, his 5 Band DXCC in March this year, and only a few months later this award. Mal also acknowledges David�s help and contribution to the WIA Awards Program.

Mal has asked that I pass on to you, David, his personal message, which is:

"Congratulations David for your outstanding DXCC achievements. It�s been our pleasure processing them for you. Being as you are a "World Class DX operator", and a dedicated person, I hope you find our WIA awards memorable. We trust that this will not be the end and our invitation is for you to continue displaying your personality and special skills."

David, congratulations on this fantastic achievement.

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