Abstract
You will no doubt have noted the Journal's new front cover. The change follows much debate about the pragmatic and aesthetic desiderata for covers of professional journals. Many readers have a soft spot for the distinctive, elegant ‘blue and silver’ but many others have suggested that while it is pleasing to look at, the list of contents is daunting and difficult to read. The new style we have adopted attempts to retain the cover's elegance as well as to make it more user-friendly. We experimented with a number of options and believe that the one chosen best fulfils our requirements. We hope it finds favour.
I am confident that the back cover finds favour. Readers' feedback is unanimous: the pictures from the Eric Cunningham Dax Gallery in the University of Melbourne (a selection of which are reproduced on the adjoining page) have been a splendid adornment and, together with Dr Dax's captions, of much interest. When I approached Eric in late 1992 to contribute pictures from his collection, little did I know that the arrangement would continue for 6 years. The 33rd picture, on the back cover of this issue, is the first of a new series of 12 which, thanks to Eric's enthusiasm and hard work, will take us through to the end of 2000. I am sure I speak on behalf of all Fellows when I pay a hearty tribute to this outstanding colleague and wish him good health and contentment as he enters his 10th decade. The Journal is also indebted to Pfizer for its generous sponsorship during recent years, and for offering to continue its support. We also thank Boots and SmithKline Beecham, sponsors of earlier series.
A notable innovation will occur in this volume, namely the publication of a special section devoted to a particular subject and edited by an expert colleague. It is with a sense of anticipation that I await the inaugural special section, ‘guest edited’ by Professor Assen Jablensky of the Department of Psychiatry in the University of Western Australia, which will appear in the April issue. We are in for a feast of ideas from distinguished contributors to the field of nosolgy and classification. I predict that the collection will prove seminal, and will also be of inestimable value to trainees as they grapple with the controversies surrounding the purposes and utility of contemporary classifications. The Journal is exceedingly grateful to Professor Jablensky for agreeing to launch this significant development. We plan to incorporate one (occasionally two) special section into each volume. Indeed, David Ames and Simon Stafrace are currently organising a series of invited papers on psychogeriatrics to celebrate the birth of the College's second faculty.
Finally, let me mention some changes on the Editorial Board. Helen Herrman is taking a well-earned rest after serving the Journal with dedication for 6 years; thank you Helen for all your efforts and for your warm colleagueship. Congratulations to Mike Salzberg on his ‘elevation’ to a fully fledged position on the Board and a cordial welcome to Simon Stafrace as an Assistant to the Editor. To my considerable satisfaction, and with my heartfelt gratitude, the Blackwell Science Asia team of Shirley Green, Anne Bittner and Mandy Naylor will continue to produce the Journal in 1999; they constitute a formidable trio.
