The ACMAV held its first cleft palate surgical mission to Xian, China in September 2011 in partnership with Starfish Foster Home and Jiaotong University Number 1 Hospital. It was an overwhelming success, with 12 successful children successfully operated upon.

Many thanks to the entire team, especially to Dr Siew Keng Chan whose tireless dedication has made possible an incredible difference to the lives of 12 babies. We will post a full report soon, but for now you can visit Starfish Foster Home's blog for their account of the mission.

Advances in Radiology: It's Not All Black and White

If only our eyes were equipped to see more than skin-deep, our examining hands more discriminatory, then many a diagnostic dilemma would be circumvented. Were Mr Roentgen and Ms Curie to teleport to this modern day, perhaps they would be awed by the new stuff, but sentimentally relieved that the humble radiograph is alive and well.

Thank you to all who attended the ACMAV Annual General Meeting, which was held on April 19th at Malaya Inn, Doncaster. This important event serves to update our members on the financial growth of the Association.

This evening formally welcomed three new Committee members - Drs Rebecca Nguyen, Sze Mei Yong and Sheng Tie, who bring valuable skills and enthusiasm. They will re-place Drs Kevin Chu, Matt Hong and Salena Ward, who have stepped down due to various work commitments.

The March Dinner Seminar was given by Associate Professors Merlin Thomas and Markus Schlaich from the Baker Institute, covering recent developments in the prevention of diabetic complications, and the preliminary results of endovascular renal sympathetic nerve ablation therapy.

The talk was accompanied by a sumptuous meal of steamed oyster, crab, braised beef and fried rice from the culinary team at Sun Kee Restaurant on Chapel Street in South Yarra. The new management at Sun Kee has preserved much of the atmosphere of what used to be San Choi in South Yarra.