Message from the President.

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Peter Maher It's hard to believe that 2008 is nearly over. The world continues in turmoil made somewhat worse this year by the collapse of global markets. Not long before composing this message I,like millions of others, was horrified to watch on television the devastation as a result of terrorism in India.I had the pleasure of staying in the famous Taj Mahal in happier times. I understand that some of our members were intimately involved in this mayhem but I am pleased to report that all has turned out safely for them at least.

The ISGE at least has moved forward this year. Through excellent efforts from some of our members I am pleased to announce that we have secured platinum sponsorship from Olympus and Covidien. Together with the ongoing support the Society has received from Storz ,we can now boast three platinum sponsors which has given the Society a good financial base to enable it to move forward.

The Society has hosted two excellent meetings this year, the first in Bari, Italy and the regional meeting in Mexico City. President-elect, Stefano Bertocchi promised us that he would host a successful meeting and he was true to his word. For those of you unable to attend , 1100 delegates were treated to an amazing scientific program matched only by an excellent social program.

My personal experience of my time in Italy only confirmed that if Australia "closes" I am relocating to Italy. In September we packed the bags again and all met in Mexico City.

Yves LeRoy and his committee treated attendees to an excellent meeting which culminated in a charming afternoon as his guests at his home for a very intimate and memorable occasion.

We are now preparing for the annual meeting in Thailand in March,2009.

The training of surgeons, an ISGE institution, has continued through 2008.Professor Ray Valle has been magnificient in his endeavours in Mexico and South America. He has also served the Society admirably in his role as Treasurer over the last half a dozen years for which we are all eternally grateful. In March 2009 he will hand the mantle to Dr.Duncan Turner who has generously agreed to take on the role.

In March it will also be time for many officers of the Society to stand down and a new brigade to take command-that includes me-your president. It has been a brief but exciting time at the helm of the Society and I am grateful for all the support I have received from various officers in particular our Secretary Robert O'Shea and his girl Friday, Lydia Lacey-the power behind the throne. The work behind the scenes of this Society only becomes apparent the closer you are to it.

Hopefully as the Society gets stronger we will move to a permanent Secretariat but,I add with caution, we should not be too hasty or at least wait until the Society is financially very secure.

During my stewardship, I have initiated a panel of international advisors, doctors recognised for their enormous contribution to our Society and gynaecological endoscopy and also an affiliated Societies membership which recognises other societies close relationship with ISGE. Both these groups will be displayed on our website with,I hope,links with in the case of the affiliates the home societies.

I would like to take this opportunity to remember my dear friend Dr.W. Adiyono who passed away this year. He was a great leader and teacher of endoscopy in Indonesia and was a regular attendee at ISGE and also AAGL meetings. He will be sadly missed in national and international circles.

From the southern hemisphere, where the sun is now shining for many long hours of the day and the Festive season is upon us ,I would like to wish all the very best for the last few days of this 2008 and the best of everything for 2009.See you in Thailand,

Peter J. Maher, President ISGE

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Message from the President.

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