Dear Skålleagues,

First and foremost, our sincerest apologies for the delayed newsletter. We had hoped to send this out before the Easter weekend however, due to issues with the international website most of last week and being down over the Easter weekend we were unable to do so.

A heartfelt thank you to Skål International Broome for hosting the Skål Australia AGM & 111th National Assembly last month. It was a truly wonderful event, and the Broome club went above and beyond to make it unforgettable. From the warm welcome to the excellent organisation, they showcased the very best of our Skål spirit along with the unique charm of Broome.

I also want to thank everyone who attended the Assembly, including our international guests who traveled to join us. It was fantastic to see so many Skålleagues come together from across Australia and beyond. The spirit of camaraderie throughout the weekend was inspiring – you could genuinely feel the friendship and goodwill in every interaction.

During the National Assembly, we also celebrated some outstanding achievements within our community. Michael Collins from Skål International Perth was honored as Skålleague of the Year, a recognition of his exceptional dedication and leadership – congratulations, Michael! Additionally, Skål International Darwin was awarded Australian Club of the Year, reflecting the hard work and vibrant spirit of our Darwin club. Well done to all our Skålleagues in Darwin for this fantastic achievement.

On the international front, I want to express my gratitude to Director Melinda Brown for representing me at the Skål New Zealand Congress earlier this month. Due to both personal and work commitments I regretfully was unable to attend. Melinda did a fantastic job in my stead, and her representation of Skål Australia was deeply appreciated by our New Zealand counterparts. I’m very thankful to Mel for stepping in and doing us proud. On all accounts, the New Zealand Congress in Christchurch was a fantastic weekend and I certainly look forward to attending next year.

On a sad note, our Skål family lost a beloved member recently. Beverly Stafford from the Skål Port Vila club in Vanuatu – whom many of you knew – passed away following a tragic accident. Beverly had close ties with Skål Australia and participated in many of our events and congresses over the years. Those of us who had the pleasure of knowing her will always remember her kind, loving personality and the warmth she brought to every gathering. We will deeply miss Beverly. On behalf of all of Skål Australia, I extend our heartfelt condolences to her husband Mark, and to her family and friends during this difficult time.

Looking ahead, World Skål Day is coming up on 28th April. This special day is a chance for all Skålleagues around the world to celebrate friendship and the spirit of Skål together. I encourage each of you to mark the occasion in your own way – perhaps by gathering with your local club, sharing a Skål toast, or simply reaching out to fellow members. Let’s spread the Skål spirit far and wide on that day! 

Another exciting event on the horizon is the Skål Asia Area Congress, which will take place in Colombo, Sri Lanka in a couple of months. Sri Lanka is a stunning country, and I know our hosts in Colombo are preparing a fantastic experience for all attendees. If you are planning to attend this Asia Congress, please let me know. It would be wonderful to hear which Australian Skålleagues will be there, so we can connect beforehand and share information.

Looking further ahead, the Skål World Congress will be held in Peru later this year (in late September). This year’s World Congress is in the historic city of Cusco – an incredible destination in the heart of the Andes. It’s not too early to start planning your trip if you intend to go. If you have registered for the World Congress (or are planning to), please let me know as well. I will be setting up a chat group for all Australian delegates to share travel plans and ideas so we can help each other make the most of our journey to Peru, and of course it will be our official communication channel when attending.

We are doing another order for Skål Australia Polos for those attending the Asia Congress and don't have one. We will also do another order prior to the World Congress in Peru. The details and link to order your polos is in the newsletter.

Finally, I hope that you and your families had a very Happy Easter. May your holiday be filled with joy, peace, and some well-deserved rest. If you’re traveling or taking time off over the break, stay safe and enjoy. I look forward to seeing many of you in the coming months.

Yours in Skål,

Ash Munn

National President, Skål International Australia