fA people
During 2006, food Australia welcomed two new members to its team. In June, Louise Southcott joined us as Administration Assistant. At the same time Louise completed a Diploma in Business Management and has successfully embarked on a part-time degree in the same discipline at University of Western Sydney. Many of you will have already have spoken to or received assistance from Louise.

Unfortunately our long-time Advertising Manager Sally Khoury was unable to return from maternity leave due to family commitments. During her absence, her seat was kept warm, firstly by Dr Melissa Harvey then by Des Hadjimichael MAIFST. I acknowledge with grateful thanks Sally’s exceptional five year contribution and the highly professional support from both Melissa and Des.

In October we welcomed on board our new Advertising Manager Mark Whiskin MRACI. A chemist by training, Mark has many years sales and marketing experience with technical publications, events and trade fairs, and in other B2B marketing roles. Many will already have had contact with Mark, who is there to assist you with your marketing plans.

Mark and Louise join our Production Officer Ian Macdonald who is responsible for the design and production of food Australia and supports other AIFST publications and websites.

This issue is also a personal milestone, being my 100th issue as editor. February also represents a milestone of another type for our part-time Technical Editor Jack Kefford, who celebrates his 90th birthday. Jack has been continuously involved with food Australia since he was appointed a member of the journal’s Committee of Management in 1966, and editorially since Food Technology in Australia became Food Australia in 1988. His valuable contributions for more 40 years and his ongoing wise counsel continue to be greatly valued. Congratulations Jack!

We also acknowledge with thanks the contribution of the external reviewers of technical and research papers during 2006: Associate Professor Don Barnett, Dr Raj Bhula, Chris Chan, Stephen Crossley, Paul Feasey, Professor Graham Fleet, Dr Ciaran Forde, Dr Heather Greenfield, Assoc. Professor Jim Hourigan, Dr Jane Paton, Assoc. Professor Tom Ross, Professor Andy Sinclair, Professor Chuck Walker and Peter Wallner. Thank you also to those who contributed book reviews, and who are acknowledged at the end of each review.

As we commence Volume 59 2007, we also thank all of the advertisers, editorial contributors, AIFST members and subscribers who helped to make 2006 a great year for food Australia. The “new” food Australia team looks forward to working with you again this year.

fA product
In 2006, we brought to you 600 pages full of the latest information on a broad range of topics across the agrifood industry. This included industry and business news and trends, 27 features covering both industry and technical developments in 23 different topic areas; Updates on various aspects of Nutrition, Seafoood, Chicken and Eggs, and Food Innovation Grants; Special Reports on Challenges for Australian Food Manufacturers, Carbohydtates, Fats and Protein, Targets for Wholegrain Intake and the Allergen Forum, 19 technical, research and feature papers and five directories including our new on-line Food Ingredients Directory launched in December.

Did you miss out on any of this during the year? Most food Australia readers keep their copy for future reference, enabling them to go back and read in more depth articles or information as needed. Do you?

In 2007 we will continue to bring you comprehensive credible information in each issue so that you can both keep on top of the topics that impact directly on your day to day work, and just as importantly maintain a wide-ranging ‘general knowledge’ about your profession. Our Features for the year and our Guide for Authors are on our website www.foodaust.com.au.

fA promotion
Advertising in food Australia represents a unique opportunity to reach your target audience including senior technical and management decision makers. Other groups high on the list of readers are those involved in product development and innovation and quality assurance and control. Also well represented are those in marketing, sales and service, laboratory analysis and testing, education and training, production, regulatory and scientific affairs, and nutrition/dietetics as well as those involved in research and consulting.
The various combinations of Cover positions, monthly features and regular departments allow positioning to be optimised for each issue. Talk to our Advertising Manager now on (02) 8399 3996, to see what innovative marketing plan you can design together. Don’t forget to ask for our new Media Kit (also available on www.foodaust.com.au).

The food Australia glossy Front Cover package continues to be a sought after promotion opportunity. You will need to “get in quick” for the limited 2007 Front Covers still available. Bookings and expressions of interest for 2008 Front Cover positions are also now being taken.

Barbara Munce
Managing Editor