The year of 2006 was the seventh year of active operations by the Hong Kong Branch, and turned out to be by far our busiest year, yet.

The branch supports numerous charities, in Hong Kong and throughout the Commonwealth. For example, it arranges visits to places of interest for members of the Hong Kong Federation of the Blind. The Federation kindly bestowed an Award on the Branch in January, "Hero of a Barrier-Free City" in recognition of that support.

It was my pleasure to give a talk (about Hong Kong) to the Western Australia Branch of the League in Perth, when I visited there in January.

Hong Kong's Commissioner of Police, Mr. Dick Lee, gave the Branch a fascinating lunchtime speech in February. He impressed all present, when he afterwards handled a number of rather tricky questions in an adept and charming manner.

Commonwealth Day was celebrated in March, at a now-annual gathering in Hong Kong, instigated when this Branch was formed. In 2006, this cocktail reception was held at the China Club. The speakers included the Consul-General of Nigeria, Britain and South Africa: all of them Brach Patrons.

The largest pan-Commonwealth gathering in Hong Kong for years was arranged by the Branch in April. A cathedral service was held to celebrate the 80th birthday of H. M. The Queen. Messages from Her Majesty, from the Commonwealth Secretary-General, and from the British Consul-General were read out to the 500 members of the congregation. The collection was for a Commonwealth educational charity.

In the lunch at the nearby China Club which followed, about 120 guests heard an address by Branch Patron David Tang. These functions were by far the largest the Branch has arranged since the 2002 Queen's Jubilee Garden party, a charity-fundraising event held in the presence of T. R. Hs, the Earl and Countess of Wessex (i.e. the Queen's son Prince Edward), with some 950 guests. These "80th birthday" celebrations were reported extensively in the local Press and on radio, and global Press coverage followed.

In May, the Hong Kong Government's Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr. Rafael Hui, gave the Branch an interesting lunchtime address, at the Hong Kong Club.

Before the Summer break, the newly-appointed Artistic Director of the Hong Kong Ballet, Mr. John Meehan, gave the Branch an interesting talk at the China Club, on his plans for the development of the Hong Kong Ballet.

In September, the well-known politician and Legislative Council member, Ms. Emily Lau, gave a lively lunchtime speech to the Branch. Ms. Lau also attended several other Branch functions, later during the year.

In October, members completed a strenuous hike over the hilly trails of Lantau Island, as guests of the South African Association. This was followed by a South African barbeque at a beachside South African restaurant.

Members were again privileged to be invited to the Australian Consulate in November, to join the happy hour gathering of our sister Commonwealth club, the Australian Association.

Hong Kong's "Minister for Finance" (Mr. Henry Tang, the Financial Secretary of the Hong Kong S.A.R. Government) gave the Branch an interesting lunchtime address at the China Club in early December. His talk was introduced by Branch Patron Mr. Stephen Bradley, the British Consul-General.

In late December the Branch arranged a Christmas cocktail reception in the Library of the China Club, at which members enjoyed mulled wine and mince pies.

The last gathering of the year was the Committee Christmas lunch, held in an English restaurant in Central, Hong Kong, with a traditional menu.

Committee members were pleased to meet with a number of famous visitors to Hong Kong, during the year. These included H.R.H. The Duke of York (Prince Andrew); Lord Patten, Hong Kong's last Governor; the Rt. Hon. Helen Clarke, Prime Minister of New Zealand; and the Duchess of York.

The New Zealand Prime Minister visited Hong Kong in 2006 and met Branch President Paul Surtees.

In addition, there were many meetings with Government Ministers from Hong Kong; with the consular representatives of numerous countries to Hong Kong; and with our sister royal, loyal and Commonwealth associations in Hong Kong.

The Branch's busy and successful year of 2006 was made possible only by the sustained efforts of our very supportive Branch Patrons and Committee members, all of whom serve in a voluntary capacity, in their limited free time from their busy jobs. Members from Hong Kong join me in thanking them for all they do in support of this Branch.