Perth businesspeople have a premium opportunity to update their knowledge and networks through a two day conference focussed on doing business with the State's major trading partners in an ever-changing and more complex world order.

This is the message from Western Australian Premier Colin Barnett who together with 10 other key Perth business and government leaders have shaped the discussions for the inaugural IN THE ZONE Conference initiated, and to be hosted by, The University of Western Australia from 8-10 November.

The University of Western Australia’s Celebration of Annual Givingrecently brought students and alumni together at Winthrop Hall torecognise the importance of educational philanthropy.

A group of ardent baroque music lovers launched Festival Baroque 2009 with a recital at the Janet Holmes à Court Gallery in August, followed by two public concerts in Government House Ballroom and the Perth Town Hall.

Two former Thai Government ministers and a professor of agronomy have been honoured as distinguished UWA graduates at ceremonies in Thailand.

Friends of UWA in the UK and Europe was launched late last year at a cocktail party in London as a first step in developing a strong support base across a number of nations.

Over the past 15 years the Country Medical Foundation (CMF) has generously provided scholarships supporting nearly 220 doctors and nurses across Western Australia.

The Centenary Trust for Women held a Personal Wealth Cocktail Party on 11 March in the Banquet Hall of The University Club.

The University of Western Australia was honoured to be selected for the 2008 Commonwealth Day Lecture. The Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education), Professor Donald Markwell, in conjunction with Professor Geoffrey Bolton AO and the Commonwealth Round Table in Australia hosted the event.

Balmy summer nights and a line up of seven events across music, theatre and film proved to be an excellent mix for enthusiastic attendees of the UWA Alumni Events at the 2008 UWA Perth International Arts Festival.