Southern Tasmanian Association for Respiratory Support & Friends meets in North Hobart on the 1st Monday of each month.

President:- Gael Bradney 62292982

S.T.A.R.S. & Friends had a very sad loss last September, Our member Peg Every was the unfortunate lady who died of a Heart Attack after being mistakenly administered an increased dose of epidural medication, the inquest is currently being held.

Peg was a very dedicated, bright and enthusiastic member of S.T.A.R.S. and with her husband of 50+ years Vic would arrive and brighten up our meeting every month. At our Christmas Lunch Peg would arrive in her Christmas Dress, she had the ability of brightening any event, and is very sadly missed.

As a result of the launching in Hobart in June 1997 of the Tasmanian branch of LungNet, our group was formed. We were lucky enough to have a clever member at the time who was a computer literate gentleman, he came up with our name and Logo to match, hence our name "STARS & FRIENDS" (Southern Tasmanian Association for Respiratory Support a Friends), a set of 3 Stars and a Pair of Lungs above our name and you have our Group.

We meet once a month 1st Thursday of each month, we start with a small 15 minute meeting, followed by a Guest Speaker (chosen by the members), who would talk approximately ~ hour and then we have questions if they have not been covered in the talk. Last part of our time and the favourite part is afternoon tea, members bring along food to share as well as information to share and enjoy ourselves. Our age groups range from Mid 40's to extremely active Mid 90's, (who attends a Gymnasium). We currently have 40 members, the numbers per meeting vary of course due to illness or weather, however, in general our average attendance would be 28 people, approximately ~ of those present are patients and the other ~ present are carers and friends. We start at 1-00pm and the finishing time is open to whenever people have to leave or if we have lost our voices whichever comes first.

Our last Guest Speaker, a Natural Therapist made an interesting cement of our group, that is to say he came along thinking we may be a somewhat subdued group due to the nature of our illness, instead we kept him on his toes, with our fun antics and our broadminds and laughter, we certainly put the notion of a quiet group to rest, his parting cements were "I feel all the better for having come along today to meet all of you and to share in your laughter and fun".

Everyone is looking forward to this years Seminar in Launceston, we all enjoyed last years so much we had a great time. On that topic on behalf of "STARS & FRIENDS", I would like to say a thankyou to Dr Jim Markos, Respiratory Physician LGH, members of both LIPS & LUST Groups and others associated with the organising committee you do a fantastic job, we certainly appreciate your precious time and effort that goes into running a Seminar.

Take Care to stay Healthy from Gael Bradney - STARS & FRIENDS On behalf of the members we would like to wish everyone all the best!