Congratulations to Brian Walley who celebrated his 100th birthday on July 2nd 2022. Brian is a long-time member of the Welsh Society and a keen writer. Brian is the author of "Sole Survivor: A life on Borrowed Time" which recounts his life from his early years in Cheshire, bomber pilot in the RAF, prisoner of war, farming in Anglesey, migration to Australia, farming and prospecting in Australia, and retirement. Brian's war years are recounted in the book "Silk and Barbed Wire" which he also edited. Sadly Brian lost Mair, his wife of 76 years, recently, and who hailed from Anglesey. Brian and Mair's contribution to the Welsh Society is greatly valued.

July 16 2022 "Christmas in July" lunch at the Greenwood Hotel, 349 Warwick Rd, Greenwood, WA 6024 at 12.00pm. Two course lunch including Roast Turkey and Christmas Pudding plus other menu choices. Contact Hugh Bevan email here.

September 17 2022 Noson Lawen, at the Uniting Church Hall, 121 Northstead St Scarborough, WA 6019, at 2.00pm, including afternoon tea with Welsh cakes and bara brith.

November 2022, a pub get-together, details to be advised later.

December 3 2022 Christmas lunch at the Uniting Church Hall, 121 Northstead St Scarborough, WA 6019 at 12.00pm. Father Christmas, Christmas carols, and crackers.

February 25 2023 St David's celebration, details later.

April 16 2023 Picnic / BBQ at Shelter P2, Mussel Pool, Whiteman Park, WA 6068 from 10.00am.

Mark Bayliss, writing as JM Bayliss, recently published his second and third books.

'Rare Earth' is a dark, high concept thriller, set mainly in Blaenavon, Wales, but has a strong Australian influence. The main protagonist is a young woman called Lauren, from Westonia, in Western Australia.

'Valley Noir Valley Blanc' is an anthology of Mr. Bayliss' Wales inspired short stories. This book includes "Taste the Darkness", the "Henshaw International Short Story Competition" winner from December 2020. A poignant story about two young children trapped in a Welsh coal mine 150 years ago. https://www.henshawpress.co.uk/december-2020/ 

Mr. Bayliss' debut novel, published in November 2020, is called "The Lucidity Programme", and is also set in Wales. All three books are available on Amazon globally as paperback and Kindle, or obtainable from good bookshops in Australia.

Mr. Bayliss says that he has adopted the Welsh Valley Noir theme for all his books, and appears to be the first to use that term in the Welsh sense. He grew up in the historic iron and coal mining town of Blaenavon, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and now lives in Pontypool, Wales. He is secretary of the Hay Writers Circle, in Hay-On-Wye, https://thehaywriters.wordpress.com/welcome/ , and will be performing one of his stories at the Hay Festival this June. More information about Mark and his books can be found on his website: https://www.jmbayliss.com/

The Welsh Society of WA will hold a lunch to celebrate St David's Day on Saturday 26th February, 2022, at 12.00pm at The Herdsman Lake Tavern, Wembley. To book contact Hugh Bevan, President email here.

Nadolig Llawen a Blwyddyn Newydd Dda i chi gyd.

Wishing all members of the Welsh Society of Western Australia a very merry Christmas and a happy New Year.

Cofion cynnes, warm regards,

Hugh and Eluned

It is with great sadness that the Welsh Society of WA advises the passing of our long-time member Mrs. Vera Sheppard. Vera and her family came to Western Australia from Pembrokeshire. Vera's family has, and is still making, a significant contribution to the Society's activities. 

Sincere condolences to Fred; Karen, the Society's Secretary; Joe, Kathryn, Alison and their families.