It is with great sadness that we note the passing of our beloved colleague and friend, Judith van Unen, after a long and courageous battle with cancer. When she left us at the beginning of the year to seek treatment overseas we were convinced that we would see her again – she was truly such a force of nature!   Judith was well known by many in the SEAANZ community and beyond as a powerful voice and advocate for small business, particularly around the role of women. She was respected nationally and internationally through her many roles, including with the ICA, Business & Professional Women and the UN Commission for the Status of Women.   Her work with SEAANZ saw her keeping us grounded in the day-to-day realities of working life, ensuring we never lost sight of the need to actively engage and partner (rather than ‘talk at’) small business.   Judith was an elegant and eloquent speaker. She was a tireless champion for the female small business owner and while we can no longer rely on her advice and guidance, we will institute an annual award in her honour so that the gifts she so freely gave us are never forgotten. We are the poorer for her passing but she leaves us all the better for having known her.   From the President and Directors of SEAANZ