A committee was not able to be formed at the recent AGM on October 14.

The current committee members retired and it was hoped that others would step forward at the AGM but it was not to be.

Unfortunately, as one of our members said this problem is not unusual throughout many organisations now, much to the detriment of our local communities.

The committee valued the Chapter, the fellowship and friendships, the many happy times but circumstances change and so for many reasons we had to call it a day.

Covid-19 did not cause the Chapter to close, but it did cause the cessation of the wonderful program we had planned for the year.

We have so much to look back upon - 93 meetings, numerous outings and events, community involvement through displays in the Berrima Museum, Harper's Mansion, The Foyer Gallery in the Wingecarribee Shire Council Chambers, Anzac Day Services, Australia Day in Berrima and our outstandingly successful convict bonnet project "Stitched with Love" displayed not only here in the Highlands but also at The Courthouse Museum in Batemans Bay.

We have had contact with over 150 descendants of First Fleeters living here in the Highlands.

We are incredibly grateful to community members who supported the Chapter in so many ways.

Many friendships have formed since 2004. We hope that some time in the future younger members will emerge and the Chapter will be reformed.

Any enquires about the Fellowship can be made at First Fleet House,105 Cathedral St, Woolloomooloo, Sydney, NSW, 2011 Phone: 9360 3788 Email: fffaus@optusnet.com.au or visit http://www.fellowshipfirstfleeters.org.au