New IARU R3 Chairman

Following the surprise passing away last month of Michael Owen VK3KI, the Directors of IARU Region 3, as required by the Constitution, have appointed Peter Lake ZL2AZ as the new Chairman.

In view of the short time remaining before the next conference in Vietnam, when a new set of directors will be elected, the Directors have decided not to co-opt anyone else to fill the vacancy.

Peter ZL2AZ said he was extremely grateful to the fellow Directors for their support in this difficult time, and for the procedural work by our Secretary Ken Yamamoto JA1CJP to formalise an appointment.

He said he would do his best to carry through all the work in progress, much of it due to items and ideas put in place by the late Michael VK3KI who had served as the IARU R3 Chairman since 2006.

Peter ZL2AZ said his style will probably be different from Michael's in some ways - but our goals are the same - to ensure a growing and successful IARU Region 3.

He said it was a privilege to have the opportunity to serve the member societies and fellow radio amateurs in Region 3.

His background includes a career in telecommunications as a professional engineer in the New Zealand Post Office and then in Telecom New Zealand.

This was followed by 14 years in a small and specialised telecommunications consulting company with a wide variety of assignments including projects in the Pacific, Asia and South East Asia.

He has been an active radio amateur since high school over 50 years ago.

His involvement in IARU activities dates back to before 1986 and has been a Director of Region 3 from February 2005.

(Source : Jim Linton VK3PC via Southgate Amateur Radio News)