It's Spring-time again (although by the weather you'd almost think it had only just turned Winter ) and like so many new lambs being born into the world, it's time to welcome the latest batch of returnees to the fold.. Oh dear, here I am talking as though I'm a veteran ex-JET and I've only been back two years. (Has it been that long already?)

One of the great things about being on the JET Programme is not only being able to meet and understand Japanese people, but also people from all over the world, usually other programme participants. In the wake of New York, it is highly likely that we all have friends in the States and around the world who have been inadvertently caught up in this tragic events. I hope, however, that all of our friends and family remain safe.

While paling in significance to these recent events, we do have some good news in that our web-site is now up. While far from complete, Jennifer has been working very hard to get the basics done, and the result (in my humble opinion) is one of the best looking web-sites going around. Take a look at http://jet.org/Melbourne/ and let us know what you think.

The most obvious section to be worked upon is the members' section. This is where we intend to have information useful to departing JETs and, most importantly, information for returned JETs. If anyone feels they have something they can contribute, or if there is something you'd like to see on the site, please don't hesitate to contact the committee to get something done about it.

Speaking of which, in addition to our regular features in this addition, we also feature two interviews and other articles submitted by members. Thank you to all those who have helped make this edition significantly larger than those of late.

Finally, this is the last edition for 2001. I hope that many of you will be able to come to our next Dines' Club, but to those who will be unable to make it, I'd like to take this opportunity to wish you all a happy Christmas and a safe and prosperous new year.