The Australasian Federation of Family History Organisations Inc. (AFFHO) is the umbrella organisation for family history societies in the region. AFFHO was established in 1978 to coordinate and assist the work of Australian and New Zealand groups with interests in family history, genealogy, heraldry and related subjects.

MERITOUS AWARD 2009
At the Australasian Congress held every three years, the Australasian Federation of Family History Organisations (AFFHO) announce winners for their Award for Meritorious Service to Family History. Nominations are received from member societies and winners are chosen by council. This time, as in 2009, two awards were made. The winners were Paul Mackett (Queensland) and Shauna Hicks (Victoria). Congratulations are extended to both Paul and Shauna.

NICK VINE HALL AWARD 2010
AFFHO introduced this award to promote family history journals / newsletters, and also to honour the memory of Nick Vine Hall, AM, who did so much  in Australia to bring genealogy to the forefront through his radio broadcasts. Each year the Nick Vine Hall Award is judged and the award announced during National Family History Week.

There are two categories: A-For societies with less than 499 members, and B- With more than 500 financial members.

The winners for 2010 are:
Category A
1st The Compass, Adelaide Northern Districts Family History Group
2nd The Murrumbidgee Ancestor, Wagga Wagga and District Family History Society
Category B
1st Queensland Family Historian, Queensland Family History Society
 2nd The Ancestral Searcher, The Heraldry and Genealogy Society of Canberra

Congratualtions to each and every one of you. Putting together a Journal is no easy feat, it takes time, effort and co-ordination with others, and often research is required too. But it is a very important part of it! Used as a way to communicate to members about what the Society is doing with events and projects, together with hints and tips, and what is new in the genealogy scene in general – I know that members enjoy reading their Journals when they arrive.

2011 …
If you would like to make a nomination for your own group for the 2011 Awards, you simply need to fill out the relevant form which you can download from the AFFHO website, and send it in before 30 April 2011.