AUSTFHU Year book 2022/2023

From the President

NSW Friends Division

Phillip Joel

(Note this Report relates to the year-end 30 June 2022)

First and foremost, I would like to thank the outgoing NSW President Mr Barry Joseph for his outstanding contribution over the last few years.

I am delighted to have been appointed earlier this year as the NSW President and assure you that we will continue to add to the already good work that has been done in the past.

Hopefully with Covid-19 slowly burning itself out we will be able to move forward and have many more events in the near future.

The last few years as has been mentioned took its toll on the community and made it very difficult put-on meaningful events, but this is set to change.

I am very happy to advise that in December the President of the Hebrew University, Professor Asher Cohen and Professor Ya’akov (Koby) Nahmias, Director of the Alexander Grass Centre for Bioengineering at the Hebrew University, one of the world’s leading innovators in ethical drug production and sustainable food production will be visiting us in Sydney. I hope that you will join us to hear how Koby, the Hebrew University and Israel are paving the way for a better future for all of us.

This will be the first visitor we have had from overseas since the lifting of the travel bans earlier this year.

We have continued with the Honours Club meetings. However, as a result of the Covid -19 restrictions we are struggling to get back to the pre covid -19 numbers we were used to.

Special mention must be made of the outstanding work that our CEO Mr Rob Schneider has achieved under what can only be described as a very difficult and trying time.

Mr Schneider together with his support team have kept the lights on and have worked through this period with purpose and dedication, as mentioned in previous reports to continue the outstanding work of the University

We welcome two new members of staff, Linda Kugel and Esther Berggrun and wish them luck in their new roles.

The new year is going to bring new challenges and I have no doubt under Mr Schneider’s guidance with his new team, we will be up to the challenge of bigger and better things.

PHILLIP JOEL NSW PRESIDENT