Welcome to Republican Roundup, the monthly e-newsletter of the Australian Republican Movement.
Chair's Report
A PERSPECTIVE ON X, Y, Z
Earlier this month, organisers of an Australian National University orientation week stall promoting an Australian Republic signed up 150 new supporters, and thus established a Republican Club on campus (see below). At a time when the Republic is not top of the political agenda and, although I wish otherwise, is not the hottest topic of public debate, to receive such overwhelming support is a superb outcome and a vivid reminder of how compelling the idea of an Australian as Head of State is, especially to younger Australians.
Some social commentators like to depict the younger generations as spoilt slaves to consumerism, plagued by a numb and dull state of political apathy. As a young Australian, I take offence to this view. I belong to what is now defined as Generation X, my wife is from Generation Y and hopefully one day we’ll have kids belonging to Generation Z. Let me assure you as someone from the back end of the generational alphabet that we’re every bit as passionate and patriotic as generations that have gone before.
In the ARM’s National Republican Lecture last year, Rebecca Huntly, author of "The World According to Y", explained that the civic activity of Generation Y is focused around local and community politics, because this is where they feel most able to make a difference (RR Chair’s Report Dec 2006). Rebecca is right. Younger generations are no less politically motivated, it’s just that they want to have a more direct impact, and if mainstream politics isn’t providing the opportunity for that, they’ll put their energy elsewhere.
Different generations may have unique characteristics, but some things defy change: such as the importance of ideas (like having an Australian Head of State) and the value of leadership from those to whom others relate (like students leading students).
Becoming a Republic is the next great milestone in the history of our nation. It is about our future as people. It is the people, therefore, who need to map this future and who better to do so than the younger generations.
CASCADING OBJECTIVES
Now that 2007 is well underway, the Refocus program from 2006 is being implemented at the Branch level, with each Branch allocating a Councillor to liaise with each NC Director. The key objectives for 2007 identified by the National Committee (RR Chair’s Report Dec 2006) are now cascading through State and Territory Branches. As a national movement consisting of volunteers from all walks of life and from each corner of the country, it’s vital that our objectives are shared ones and that our various parts are all working together. Thank you to the Branch Convenors and Councillors who are taking the lead in each state and territory.
FOCUSED ON MEMBERSHIP
The ARM is a peoples’ movement. Over the years we have democratised and transformed ourselves into a grassroots organisation that is led, financed, and supported by everyday Aussies. Our greatest strength is our membership, and this is why one of the key commitments the National Committee has undertaken this year is to bring members to the front of our organisational agenda. We will measure our success in this regard by the number of new members we can attract into the movement. To this end, I encourage you to read about some of our membership driven initiatives outlined by Mike Keating, Director of Strategy and Campaigning
(see below).
THANK YOU TO SHANNON SCHEDLICH-DAY
Lastly, a big Thank You to Shannon Schedlich-Day who is moving to Whyalla and has therefore decided to stand down as the ARM’s Branch Convenor for South Australia. On behalf of the National Committee and all ARM members, thank you Shannon for your leadership and hard work in SA and we wish you all the very best.
Members are far and away the ARM’s most important asset!
You may have read in last month’s Republican Roundup that we are aiming at increasing membership Australia wide by 500 in 2007. To help achieve this, and more importantly, to attempt, within our limited resources, to show members just how much they are valued we have been working towards introducing a number of new initiatives. Essentially these initiatives concentrate on making it administratively easier to join, and better value for those who do join.
The plan is to have all the new initiatives up and running by the end of this month – 31 March 07. We’ll let you know all the details over the coming weeks.
We are asking your help to achieve the M500 goal and in return we are determined that those members who do help should benefit at least in some small way. For this reason the National Committee has decided to introduce a discount renewal scheme for members - commencing 31 Mar 07. How will this work It’s as simple as this:
Introduce two or more new members in a membership year and receive a 100% discount on your own next membership renewal; that is, your membership will be renewed free for the next 12 months from the 31 May after you introduce two or more new members.
We hope members will take advantage of this by introducing new members in April and May – people taking up membership in Apr / May 07 also only pay the standard yearly rate for 14 months - that is their membership will run through until 31 May 08 – up to two months free. New members joining in this period will also receive the new, improved Information Pack including a pocket copy of the Constitution, a free membership pin, a personalised Membership Card and a warm personal welcome from the appropriate Branch Council.
Please help us to achieve M500!
In the meantime, if you have any comments or questions about discount renewals you can contact me on mjkekeat@bigpond.net.au .
Open letter to local councillors, State and Federal MPs
Below is a copy of a letter that will be distributed to local councillors, State and Federal MP’s urging them to contribute to the republican debate in Australia.
Dear Fellow Australians,
It is time to review our Constitutional arrangements again in our opinion as we approach the tenth anniversary of our unsuccessful referendum in 1999 to have an Australian Republic with our own head of State.
We hope that you will take up the challenge as community leaders and representatives in the discussions before the next referendum for an Australian Head of State.
Deep down in our hearts, we all hope one day we will not need the Queen or Charles or any other British Monarch as our Head of State anymore, and that includes our Governor-General. We can stand on our own feet and appoint or select one of our own to be the Australian Head of State.
We need your contribution and leadership to achieve that even if you are a monarchist. We may even find a consensus model that you can support. I personally believe in a simple consensus model without too many changes to our Constitution apart from installing one of our citizens as an independent Head of State. A small evolutionary change to remove the Queen or Monarch of Britain as our Head of State may suffice. 95% of fellow Australians supported that idea in one of previous surveys when asked if we should have an Australian citizen as our own Head of State and not the one living in Buckingham Palace, London.
It is a challenging task and we hope you can join us as members if you wish or as an active contributor to the debate and discussion in the coming months.
Yours sincerely
Dr Ka Sing Chua
National Committee, Community Liaison
Australian Republican Movement
The ACT Council has endorsed 5 key priorities for its activities in 2007. They are:
Build and retain membership
Support for and leverage off the National Office in Canberra
Continue support for ACT initiated national activities such as the National Republican Lecture and the Republican Gathering process
Develop links with multi cultural groups in the ACT
- Plan and undertake a social and fundraising program for the year
A date has been set for one of the major ACT events of the year, the Branch Dinner, which will be held on the evening of Saturday 2 June 2007.
A number of ACT members have expressed interest in working as volunteers at the National Office and the Executive Officer, Pamela Hunt, has planned a series of induction sessions to familiarise members with the functions and facilities of the office. It is planned to use the volunteer base to achieve a five day a week operation of the office in the near future.
Also, a very successful ARM market day stall was held at the ANU during O-week with over 150 students joining the student club during the week.
Don’t forget that the ARM shop has a great range of republican merchandise, such as T-shirts, hats and mugs that make great gifts for family and friends!
The Chameleon Crown: The Queen and Her Australian Governors
Anne Twomey
Using previously secret government documents, The Chameleon Crown rewrites the history of Australia's relationship with the United Kingdom and the Crown. It makes clear that the Australian States remained colonial dependencies of the British Crown until 1986 when the Australia Act was passed. It was the 'Queen of the United Kingdom', not the 'Queen of Australia' who reigned over them.
ARM Supporters are gathering at a performance of Michael Cove's ‘Troupers‘ at the Sydney Theatre Compay (Wharf 1) and afterwards at the Palisade Pub, Bettington St Millers Point.
‘Troupers’ takes a critical look at Australia following World War I and questions the accepted history and iconism of the time. It is directed by Jean-Pierre Mignon and stars Barry Otto.
The Sydney Theatre Company is pleased to offer ARM members $10 off full price tickets to the following performances:
Friday 9 March 8pm or
Any performance from Tuesday 13 to Sunday 18 March (excludes Saturday night)
Tickets are limited and bookings are essential.
Phone STC box office on (02) 9250 1777 and quote "Troupers ARM Offer" to book your tickets.
Early April
NSW Branch - Women's Network Lunch coming up. Stay tuned for date and venue!
