Following our last meeting in Broome I was elected as President for the ABSO for the 2016-2017 period up to this meeting in Hamilton Island.

I have been very lucky that much work had already been done by the previous executive in planning and programming this meeting and my thanks to our Past President Pat Hannan and his executive of Simon Freezer and Darren Di Ilulio.

Registrations for the 51st ABSO Meeting in Hamilton Island—June 20 to 22, 2017 — are now open book now to ensure you secure a place and to take advantage of our early-bird pricing.

Planning is continuing for this project with a view to commencing regular visits in the first half of 2017.

Following the recent visit in July 2016, the first few patients for braces have been identified, and another 10 placed on review for future orthodontic management. There are many more patients who are yet to be seen, and who may potentially need orthodontic work.

When I was first asked to be the President of the Begg Society, I must admit I was a little surprised. At that time, I had only been to one meeting, and didn’t practice Begg or even Tip-Edge. But the logic made perfect sense. It was time for the Begg Society to “re-invent” itself. To make itself more relevant and offer more appeal in the busy landscape of orthodontic groups.

Paul was a wonderful character- born in Malaysia on the 21st September 1933, he was one of five children.

Paul came to Adelaide under the Colombo Plan in 1950 to complete his final two years of secondary education at Christian Brothers College. He then studied dentistry at The University of Adelaide, graduating with a BDS degree at the end of 1956.