SAVES is not affiliated with Exit International / Dr Philip Nitschke and opposes the public availability of a 'peaceful pill'.

However, I didn't attend the conference to admire the views. I went to listen, to be informed, to be challenged, to be stimulated, to report on the news from South Australia and to interact with others of like minds. I had all of this in abundance.

There were eleven speakers. Each was most stimulating and searching questions were asked. Our very own Philip Nitschke played a very prominent part as did Kay Koetsier, former executive secretary of VES of Victoria and Libby Drake former committee member of SAVES. Libby was the delegate from the VES of NSW and is now a vital part of my support team as Secretary of the World Federation.

There were delegates from 18 of our 23 member societies and many other observers and participants. I listened with interest to the reports and wish lists from the various societies. A number at this stage can aim no further than Living Will legislation and it reminded me how fortunate we are in South Australia to have such an excellent law as our Consent to Medical Treatment and Palliative Care Act 1995. I am perplexed that so many SA citizens do not use what people in some countries and some Australian States would give their eye teeth to have. Have you made your Living Will (called an Anticip- atory Direction in the Act) yet?

I showed the video of the ABC documentary "Where angels fear to tread" which documents Philip's struggle to actually use the Northern Territory Rights of the Terminally Ill Act 1995. Kevin Andrews and the NT Australian Medical Association President also featured prominently in it, of course. It provided a real insight to delegates who have yet to be embroiled in the sort of fierce political fighting for VE legislation we have endured here and are still enduring. Many questions were asked about the struggle and the strategies used so that the other societies could learn from our experiences.

The reports by delegates to the Conference were all very positive. There has been a paradigm shift in thinking on VE across the world. Listening to the excitement and joy in the voice of the Vice President of the French Society gave me such pleasure because I vividly recalled her report to us at Bath in 1994. Then her voice expressed utter despair as she said "We will NEVER move forward because of the power of the Catholic Church". Now she was reporting on the seemingly impossible, a small but important move forward.

This story was repeated by most of the societies and I would say that many are now where we were about five years ago. Undoubtedly, the NT Act and its subsequent reprehensible overturning by Kevin Andrews, in cahoots with the Federal Politicians, has had a lot to do with our forward move. It came at a time when the ground had been prepared and leavened by the VE Societies in Australia over a fifteen year period. I wonder if Andrews has any idea that his actions have had such a positive effect for us?

Of course we still have a way to go before we are in the fortunate situation which the Netherlands, Switzerland and the USA state of Oregon enjoy today. But we will achieve it. Margaret Mead put it this way: "Never doubt that a small group of committed people can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has."

The personal interactions are what I take the most heart from. The calibre of our friends in this struggle against inhumanity and bigotry is marvellous to experience and I feel so proud to be involved with such decent and good human beings. In the same way I am so proud of each one of you - our members. Without your financial and moral support we would not be where we are today and we could not go on.

I was most fortunate that the Swiss Society, EXIT, offered to pay my air fare and hotel cost so that my bank balance has not had to be depleted except for personal expenses. Exit also covered all costs of the conference including excellent lunch and dinners for everyone. It paid the fares and hotel for all speakers and also for some delegates from other financially straitened societies. This was generosity over and above the call of duty.

Some of the wealthier societies paid for their delegates. However some did not and those delegates carried their costs personally thus showing their commitment and dedication to our cause.

As SAVES moves forward into our sixteenth year it is hard for me to find the words to describe how I feel about our committee members. Suffice it to say that I regard knowing and working with them as a privilege and not a chore. Knowing and being with them has enriched my life and without their unfailing hard work, cooperation and love we could not be as effective as we are.

I believe that it is in part SAVES' reputation within the World Federation that has enabled me to become the President of the world body. I know without any doubt that I will find the strength to lead the Federation for the next two years only because of the support I will receive unfailingly from my committee of loyal friends. I thank them on your behalf and mine from the bottom of my heart.

When you receive this Bulletin I will be overseas and I will have confidently left our affairs in the charge of Vice President Eric Gargett and the committee.

I have been invited to present a paper at the World Congress of the International Humanist and Ethical Union in Mumbai (Bombay) to be held on lO-l4 January. This is a fine opportunity for the World Federation to gain recognition in a large and influential body which has non-government organisation status at UNESCO, United Nations, World Health Organisation and others. Afterwards I will go to UK and stay with my sister while I engage in work for the World Federation. This will include a visit to the Netherlands VE society and I will take the opportunity to meet again with friends in the movement. I hope to return late February, well in time for our AGM and to share with you the very special treat of having Marshall Perron as our guest speaker. Please reward yourselves and come to be with us. You deserve it.