The Friends is a group of volunteer advocates working to further the aims of the Archive and to encourage links between the Archive, the film and sound communities and the general community. In essence, the Friends want to promote excellence in film and sound culture, including: best practice in preservation, public programs and access; promoting high level appreciation of film and sound heritage and contemporary culture; creativity in the use of our archive; a broad, outward looking focus that locates Australia in the South East Asia-Pacific region and globally; and restoration of the correct name of the Archive. To achieve our ends, we rely on Friends to contribute energy and enthusiasm, and to participate in events that will provide the resources. You can never have too many friends. Please encourage your friends and colleagues to join us.

The committee:

ANN BAYLIS - President Ann worked at the NFSA managing the collection building, cataloguing and public programs, including exhibition, outreach and education; and the regional touring film and sound programs. She was project manager of the new building and facilities. Ann was chair of the Cataloguing and Documentation Committee of the International Federation of Film Archives. She has a long held interest in films, books, recording artists, orienteering and cycling.

RAY EDMONDSON Former Deputy Director and current Curator Emeritus of NFSA, Ray is principal of the consultancy company Archive Associates. He teaches and consults internationally and his principal writings, which include the UNESCO monograph "Audiovisual Archiving: Philosophy and Principles" (2004), have been translated into nine languages. Among his current roles, Ray is chairman of MOWCAP - the UNESCO "Memory of the World" Committee for Asia Pacific. www.archival.com.au

CHRIS EMERY - Treasurer Retired, Professional Communications Engineer. Chris worked for 32 years in the Australian Government Department of Civil Aviation - in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Port Moresby and Canberra. Since retiring, Chris has been working as a volunteer for a number of non-profit organisations. Chris is an enthusiastic attendee at the National Folk Festival and the Sydney Film Festival.

CHRIS HARRISON Chris worked in the National Library where at various times he catalogued films from the National Film Archive and worked in the Rare Books Section. He is passionate about historical bibliography and all aspects of printing, book design and publishing. Chris has a continuing interest in films. He was on the committee of the first Canberra Film Festival, in the 1970s to early 1980s. Chris has written scripts for television, radio and the stage.

DAVID KILBY David has been a teacher and an ABC program presenter for many years. He continues to delight the ABC audience with his many historical recordings and broad knowledge of artists, record labels and popular music of every genre. David and his wife manage a B and B just outside Canberra.

JAMES SANDRY President of the Reel McCoy Film Society, James also works as a policy officer in the Australian Government Dept of Broadband, Communications and Digital Media. James worked for seven years at the National Archive of Australia where he developed an interest in Australia's archival heritage. While interested in films for as long as he can remember, James became interested in film culture through the classic films shown by the Reel McCoy.

SUE TERRY - Secretary Former staff member of the NFSA who managed such areas as the National Film Lending Collection, Documentation and Cataloguing, Sue is now retired. In addition to some casual research and writing work, primarily in the areas of film and librarianship, Sue is enjoying finding time to catch up on her interests in books, films, music and travel.