On Saturday, August 21 1999, at the Amiga Downunder 1999 Amiga Show in Canberra (Australia) a new Amiga User Group, catering for all Amiga users in Australasia (Australia and New Zealand) was officially launched by Petro Tyschtschenko, the new Vice-President of AMIGA.

The major launch speech was delivered by the Secretary, with introductory welcoming speeches from the President and, in absentia, the Vice-President.

As most of you probably know, Petro Tyschtschenko - Mr T. as many of us affectionately refer to him - visited Australia last January.

So far, three important steps in the revival of the Amiga in this part of the world have eventuated from that visit:

1. This Show;
2. The re-establishment of the Australian Amiga Developers Association (AADA); and
3. The formation of the Amiga Downunder User Group, or ADUG, which will be known as Amiga Downunder UG Incorporated once its application for incorporation has been approved.

Why was ADUG formed?
And what is it all about?

As Coordinator of Petro's visit to Australia, I was impressed by the following:

1. From the emails I received concerning that visit, it is clear that there are still many people in this part of the world, both here in Australia and in New Zealand, who want to know what's going on in the world of Amiga (one email asked "why couldn't Petro visit New Zealand?" and another, also from NZ, said "why should Australia have all the fun?").
2. Not only had these people remained faithful to the Amiga, they were showing a keen interest in the NG Amigas.
3. Because most of these Amiga enthusiasts, scattered as they are throughout the two countries, are no longer able to associate with, or belong to, an Amiga User Group, the one message that came across loud and clear was their sense of isolation from the Amiga community, and
4. Now that the Amiga is making a comeback:
   • There is an urgent need for them to be able to access and communicate with a centralised source of information about the Amiga.
   • They want an opportunity to be part of the Amiga community again.

The idea for an Australasian-wide User Group came out of all these factors.

An organisation which would give individuals in Australia and New Zealand, as well as individuals from any of our neighbouring countries (because our Constitution allows for it) the opportunity to become members of the Amiga User Group community... ... and at the same time serve to coordinate all User Groups in this region.

Today, that vision has become a reality...
... and following its official launch shortly, an exciting new stage in the revival of the Amiga `downunder' will have taken place.

So just what is ADUG?

Our Constitution's Statement of Purpose says that ADUG "is a regionally oriented Internet-based association serving a virtual community and dedicated to the fostering and advancement of the Amiga computer and the Amiga computing platform within the geographical region of Australasia."

ADUG's objects include the following:

• To provide individuals who reside in Australasia an opportunity to become Members of an Amiga User Group.
• To encourage the formation of Amiga-oriented User Groups within Australasia.
• To encourage Amiga-oriented User Groups within Australasia to become affiliated to ADUG.

ADUG will be managed by a Committee of 14, spread throughout Australia and New Zealand, all of whom have extensive experience of the Amiga and Amiga User Groups.

What exactly does Membership of ADUG involve?
... and why should you join?

Because ADUG is Internet-based and all business will normally be conducted by email and via the Internet, it is essential that all Members have an email address and Internet access.

If you live in Australia, it will cost you AU$25 (a one off Entry Fee of AU$15 plus the first year's subscription of AU$10).
For New Zealand residents, the Entry Fee is NZ$18, and the total cost is NZ$30.

A single Membership can include up to six individuals, provided that all six individuals are related, live at the same address, and share a single email address.

How can you join?

Normally, you would email me, as Secretary (flinter@taen.org) with the subject "SEEKING ADUG MEMBERSHIP" and nothing in the text...
... but those who are attending this Show can join at the ADUG desk any time after the launch, where your Membership ID will be entered for a draw for an Amiga 1200, courtesy of Mr T. and the Show organisers.

Why should you join ADUG?

If you were to ask me "What can ADUG do for me?"...
... I'd have to say "At this stage, not very much."

That's because ADUG has no resources.

If, however, you were to ask me what ADUG would like to do for you
- well, that's a different story.

I could point you to the list of objects in ADUG's Constitution...
... objects which include:

• Encouraging the formation and affiliation of Amiga User Groups within Australasia.
• Establishing an Australasian communication network for its Members and affiliated User Groups, and acting as a central resource for the dissemination of information (including the publishing of newsletters) relating to the Amiga.
• Trying to build and maintain a database of Amiga users and Amiga User Groups within Australasia, and
• Assisting in the establishment of Amiga-oriented SIGs and the promotion of Amiga shows and gatherings of any kind...

... just to name a few.

This is why we need your support
- and why we need every individual within the Australasian Amiga community to become a Member of ADUG.

And it is why I would add, in reply to your question "What can ADUG do for me?" (with apologies to a certain famous politician)...

"Now is not the time to ask what ADUG or AMIGA can do for you, but rather, what can you do for ADUG and the Amiga in Australasia."

Some of us are familar with the expression: "No honey, no money."

The reverse, of course, is equally true.

No money, no honey.

Unless ADUG is financially strong, it cannot hope to achieve anything.

It cannot, for example, hope to underwrite Amiga shows...
... shows like Amiga Downunder 1999 which has brought us, and Amiga VIPs from overseas, here today.

And just in case some people might get the wrong impression because of the similarity in names, I'd like to point out that ADUG has not been involved in any way with the organisation of this Show.

Amiga Downunder 1999 has been organised and financed by a group of individuals in Canberra whose dedication to the Amiga is typical of the spirit of the Amiga community worldwide, a spirit that has kept the Amiga dream alive.

Amiga Downunder 1999 is the first important step in the revival of the Amiga in this region, and for this I believe the organisers, and in particular the Show's coordinator, James McPhee, are deserving of the gratitude of all Amigans "downunder".

I expect that Amiga Downunder '99 will set the pattern for what will become an annual event, and I sincerely hope that ADUG will be able to support these future annual Amiga Downunder Shows.

The second important step in the revival of the Amiga in this region is the formation, and launch, which will be taking place shortly, of the Amiga Downunder User Group.

Before that happens, however, and before our President, Steve Kennedy, asks Petro Tyschtschenko to accept this Certificate of Patronage on Jim Collas' behalf...
... I would like to revert back to a couple of points that need clarification.

1. What effect will ADUG have on existing User Groups?

2. What if I already belong to a User Group?

ADUG is not meant to replace, control or interfere with any User Group.

Not only would this be contrary to the stated objects of ADUG, namely to encourage the formation of User Groups in this region...
...the fact that ADUG serves a virtual community means that it could never provide the physical association that is such a vital part of a real-world User Group meeting.

What if you already belong to a User Group?

Why not do what most of ADUG's Committee has done?
Join ADUG, and be a Member of two User Groups!

By doing that, you'll be helping all those Amiga users in this part of the world who aren't as fortunate as you are.

ADUG has the potential to breathe life back into the Amiga community "downunder."

It needs all Amigans "downunder" to make it happen.

Basil Flinter
Secretary
Amiga Downunder UG Inc. (ADUG)

"Hello everybody. My name is Steve Kennedy.

Welcome to this section of the Amiga Downunder 1999 Show, which is the official launch by Petro Tyschtschenko of the newly formed Amiga Downunder User Group, of which I am President.

Basil Flinter, who is Secretary of ADUG, will be giving some background detail as to why ADUG was formed, what it is all about, and what ADUG hopes to achieve...
...and he will be inviting you to join ADUG while you are here, which I hope you will do, as ADUG is an exciting concept which deserves all our support.

By joining ADUG today you will not only be helping to support the revival of the Amiga in this part of the world, you will also be helping Amiga users and Amiga User Groups here.

Steve Kennedy
President, ADUG

"I am sorry that I am unable to be present for the launch of ADUG, of which I have the honour to be its Vice-President.

Now that ADUG is constituted and under way, I believe it is well positioned to carry out the important mission of reaching and maintaining contact with isolated and independent Amigans throughout this vast Australasian region.

As a strictly electronic organisation, ADUG has the potential to keep these scattered Australasian Amigans informed and in touch with each other.

It also has the ability to mobilise events promoting the dreams, concepts and products of AMIGA, and the hopes and aspirations of this region's Amiga users.

It is my fervent hope that, by rallying the last vestiges of a once proud Amiga community, ADUG can be a major player in the restoration of that vibrant community within Australasia.

I send my best wishes for ADUG's launch, and for its future."

Keith Rutherford
Vice-President, ADUG

Following the speeches, ADUG's President presented a Certificate of Patronage to Petro Tyschtschenko (who accepted it on Jim Collas' behalf) with the words:

"It now gives me great pleasure to ask Petro Tyschtschenko to accept this Certificate on behalf of Jim Collas, officially appointing him as Patron of ADUG."

"We hope this Certificate of Patronage will have a prominent place at AMIGA's headquarters as a constant reminder that there is a very dedicated Amiga community `downunder' in Australia and New Zealand."

Petro Tyschtschenko then announced that he would donate AU$500 to ADUG to establish its own website, a gesture which was widely acclaimed by those present, is gratefully acknowledged by ADUG, and which has made this website possible.

The launch concluded with a Question and Answer session.

To the question:
"How important are Amiga User Groups to AMIGA?"

Petro Tyschtschenko replied:
"The Amiga community is AMIGA's greatest asset."

- the Amiga User Group for all Australasians -