Guest Speaker, Howard Jones has become the ultimate “insider” since joining The Border Mail 32 years ago, from Wales. He moved to Albury in 1982, having emigrated to Australia with his wife, Hazel, and their sons, Philip and Robin. Their third son, Brendan, was born here. He joined The Border Mail with a rich history of experience in Wales where he had worked on several newspapers since 1963. His love of history and writing about it was born in his home country, where he wrote a history of his home town, Aberystwyth and co-authored a book on St Donat’s Castle. Howard has gone on to write 30 non-fiction books, including documenting the paper’s own history to celebrate the centenary of The Border Mail. Only last month, Howard was bestowed with Rotary’s highest honour — a Paul Harris Fellowship for his services to journalism and the preservation of our history.During her introduction at the Rotary dinner, The Border Mail’s editor, Di Thomas, said Howard’s contribution to the newspaper, his colleagues and to the wider community had been immense. His aim years ago was to produce one book a year. He thinks he is on his 33rd book — there are two or three not published, but he has virtually finished the history of the City of Albury RSL sub branch, a branch which commenced in 1918.  He presented some interesting facts and photos of commemorations in Albury following the end of WW 1 … Anzac marches didn’t commence in Albury until 1927. He has written more books than Peter Fitzsimons and even is a mentioned in one of his. Howard mentioned he would like to tackle fiction one day. Among the books he has written are commercial and family histories, one of which is about the Haberfield dynasty, grocers the Arnolds and WAW Credit Union. There have been photographic histories of Albury and Wodonga, the latter helping to raise $20,000 for Wodonga hospital. And there are books on the histories of Thurgoona and Baranduda that have led to street names being adopted of pioneers.