PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE

Thank you one and all for your contribution to the success of the International YL2000 gathering. My thanks apply equally to the DXers who came from far and wide and travelled great distances to be with us.

The YL2000 Organising Committee did the groundwork, and this was a commitment on their part, but it was the extra voluntary input that I wish to acknowledge.
The sending of gifts and well wishes by those YLs who were not able to be present, the unhesitating input by Radio Spectrum Management in Hamilton to get blanket approval for DX operators, the YLs/OMs who hosted our visitors or shared accommodation with them, and the unending hours put in by our `meet and greet' hosts at the airport, which included 5.00 am arrivals. The meets and greetings were in Wellington and Christchurch as well as in Auckland.

The fabulous `Teddy Bear' grab bags and their contents - a special thank you to Lee-Ann ZL2TLO for her efforts - and then there were those who accomplished a mass assembly of the goodies at the Hamilton Radio Club rooms and then conveyed them to the registration venue.

Local YLs gave of their time to staff the Hamilton Gardens Pavilion so that it was kept open for anyone `floating around'. Professional signage to, from and within the Hamilton Pavilion was provided by Merv Holland ZL3AHU who brought the finished artwork with him on the aeroplane from Christchurch. J's Backpackers made a room available for radio operation, courtesy Rob Parr who also lent his trailer for the collection of potted plants from the Hamilton Nursery.

Branch 40 OMs assisted in collecting these shrubs, setting up the sound system, and installing Win ZLlBBN's radio at J's Backpackers. Gavin Petrie ZLlUAB made himself available at all hours at the Hamilton Club rooms for any DXer who wanted to use their equipment.

Jenny ZL2TFF took on the task of selling raffle tickets and the New Plymouth YLs produced them, congregating as one to produce the perforations required for the stubs by using a sewing machine needle minus its thread.

There were those YLs who automatically pitched in and worked on the various desks at the Opening venue and then there were those who took on the responsibility of tour operators for the buses, making sure that no-one got lost, and that those destined for a flight on the Catalina were duly delivered.

Pat ZLlLD is to be congratulated for the hours of work on assembling the embroidered squares for the Quilt. The final production of two quilts and one wall hanging spoke volumes. YLs from throughout New Zealand had made these 14 inch squares over a period of time and in some cases it was XYLs as well.

Trish ZLlVTC is another YL skilled at handcraft, She worked on producing the WAR0 Banner and embroidered New Zealand icons as well as a special WAR0 emblem. Dennis ZL2BFI gave a very moving