As editor of Aurealis and on behalf of Chimaera Publications I'd like to publically thank all the people associated with Fantastic Queensland over the last six years for the hard work and effort they have put into organising and developing the Aurealis Awards.
All these volunteers associated with Fantastic Queensland have helped bring the wealth of Australian SF talent to the eyes of more and more local readers.
I've been representing Aurealis and Chimaera Publications at the Awards ceremony for the past four years. Over that time I've come to know how hard the organisers work. I'd like to especially like to thank the following: Lea Greenaway for being the first and friendliest face I met in 2007; Ron Serduik for being such an open, responsive and friendly co-ordinator, his unfailing work has been inclusive and supportive to all those eligible for the awards; Kate Eltham who in her quiet and efficient way has been instrumental in turning the Aurealis Awards into a professional event; and finally Damon Cavalchini is a quiet administrator whose dedication to the Awards whose skills are shown at the event, as the entertainment and delivery of the awards has always proceeded seemlessly.
Chimaera Publications is in detailed negotiations with a party to take over running the Aurealis Awards and hope to make public an announcement soon on the new hosting arrangements.
Stuart Mayne, Editor