Welcome to the new style journal of the LEAD Group.

This issue contains much information on lead from petrol, because the accelerated phase-out of lead from petrol has presented itself as the No 1 priority issue for 1993. I hope this issue also conveys the scope of the work of the LEAD Group, i.e. from the level of working with the affected individuals and their families, to dealing with organisations within society, local councils, state and federal governments and international organisations. It's all in a day's exhilarating work - changing the world to make it better for our children's children.

I have been on a rapid learning curve since I discovered lead contamination in the soil in Summer Hill in inner Sydney in December 1990. As a co-founder of the LEAD Group I have been involved in the exciting process of finding my environmentalist's wings and taking flight. If you would like your own local lead action group, we're here to help you. 'If enough people lead the leaders will follow' is the slogan which inspires us.

Our latest lobbying effort has been directed at the Federal Environment Minister Ros Kelly asking her for action within the Commonwealth Environment Protection Authority (CEP A) and at the Australian & New Zealand Environment and Conservation Council (ANZECC); and in addition to press for changes within the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) and at the level of the OECD. All requested actions are aimed at rapidly reducing petrol lead levels in Australia and in ensuring that the community's voice is heard on the lead issue.

Here at the Community LEAD Information Centre, we await your letters, phone calls and faxes containing queries, suggestions and encouragement. The combined resources of our library, information service and Technical Advisory Board are available to members and non-members alike.

Now that we have a journal, your input is especially sought for the various sections - letters, articles, literature (your own or someone else's whom we can ask for permission to reprint), cartoons, graphics, tips and, facts, news, calls for volunteers, assessments of lead abatement products or processes, ideas for funding or donations of equipment.

Acknowledgements/thanks

To last year's members who renew their membership - and to new members. Your support is vital to our continued pursuit of our community group's aims.

Cartoons Augustina Jones,
Ann Brennan,
Bronwyn Halls,
Simon Kneebone
and Judy Horacek.

(Please ring The LEAD Group to ask about printing any cartoons or graphics.)

Graphics Augustina Jones and Vivien Carson.

Permission to reprint extract Rae Desmond Jones.

Contributors
Amanda Kirk, Cameron Plummer, Brian Gulson, Chris Winder, Joy Jealous, Janine Flynn.

Typists

Margaret Alvares, Leanne, Deirdre Meissl and Rebecca Peters.

Inspiration

for 'Keeping the Outside Out', thanks to Morris Gleitzman, Dr Chloe Mason and Karl Kruszelnicki.

for publishing our own journal thanks to Jean Tsembis. An especial thanks to Rebecca Peters for her skilful consultant editing and publishing for nearly 24 hours in a row.

Distribution

Thanks to everyone who photocopies, distributes or promotes this journal or the information in it.

Office Equipment Tara McGee is donating a filing cabinet and Canon is donating a photocopier (yay!) to our otherwise empty looking office.

Here's to our success!