May 2007

Chair's Report
ARM Stall, Green Square ACT
M500
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Chair's Report

A PERSPECTIVE ON ANZAC DAY AND THE REPUBLIC

The ARM chose not to publicly campaign for a Republic on ANZAC Day. As a movement, we have always respected the sacrosanct nature of the day and have purposely avoided any attempt to use it for campaigning for an Australian Head of State. 

Nevertheless, I’m sure I wasn’t the only one whose attendance at ANZAC ceremonies touched the Republican heart. We Australians may not practice our patriotism with the glitz and glamour or pomp and ceremony of some other nations, but we remain every bit as patriotic. ANZAC Day is somber reminder that our freedom and our way of life has come from the courage, generosity and hardship of those who have gone before. It is no wonder, therefore, that the day has become increasingly important to all Australians, as a day of national pride and unity.

Similarly, the dream of a Republic with an Australian as Head of State is a celebration of our national identity.
My personal vision is to be standing shoulder-to-shoulder with thousands of my fellow Australians in a large public stadium on the eve of April the 25th 2015, commemorating 100 years since the Gallipoli landing. And at that commemorative event, I want to hear our Head of State address the Australian nation … and for that Head of State to be one of us, a fellow Aussie, rather than a foreign monarch.

CONGRATULATIONS TO NEW LIFE MEMBER - GREG BARNS

I am delighted to announce that the National Committee (NC) recently decided to award Mr Greg Barns with a Life Membership of the Australian Republican Movement. Life Membership is rarely granted by the ARM and typically goes to those who make a considerable and long-term contribution to the movement and to republicanism generally. This absolutely applies to Greg. Over the years, Greg has made at least three important contributions to the Republic cause: he was National Campaign Director for the 1999 Republic Referendum, he was National Chair of the ARM from 2000-2002 and he co-authored a book with Anna Krawec-Wheaton entitled “An Australian Republic”. He is most deserving of the honour of ARM Life Membership and we are very grateful to him for his ongoing support and advocacy.

We look forward to formally bestowing ARM Life Membership at the Victorian State Conference, scheduled for July the 21st.  

MEMBERSHIP RENEWALS

If you have not already, can I please encourage you to renew your ARM membership as soon as possible. Membership fees remain the movement’s single largest revenue stream and are therefore a large determining factor for deciding what activities we can afford in the year ahead. In addition to yourself, can you please give some thought to asking your friends and family who are supportive of an Australian Head of State to consider becoming ARM members.

THE BIRTH OF NEW REPUBLICANS

Congratulations to Will Fowles (Treasurer & Company Secretary) and his wife Fiona and also to Jaci Barker (Director, Communications & Publications) and her husband Liam who brought new baby Republicans into the world this month. On behalf of all ARM members, we congratulate Will & Fiona and Jaci & Liam and any other ARM members who have been blessed with the arrival of children this year.

Republican regards,

Ted O'Brien, ARM Chair
chair@republic.org.au

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ARM Stall, Green Square ACT

On Saturday 21st April members of the ACT branch led by Kate Holloman hosted an ARM stall.  There was an encouraging response from many that the ARM was again visible in the community.

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M500

RESIST THE SPECTRE OF KING CHUCK!

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. They are now in place.

A small number of members have acted in April but we still need your help to achieve the M500 goal . We rely on memberships to keep our organization alive and make it effective.  If each of us as individuals can’t convince one or two people from among our family, friends, neighbours, colleagues etc to join we are unlikely, as an organization, to convince the Australian people that we deserve an Australian as our head of state.

      Please don’t leave this to others – act yourself now 

• introduce two or more new members before 31 May and receive a 100% discount on your own 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 .

If this is not sufficient incentive, or you don’t really need a material incentive, close your eyes and think of Prince Charles  - the man who once wanted to be a tampon - and imagine him as our Head of State for 20 years or so !! An independent and self confident Australia deserves an Australian as our Head of state – how can any Englishman embody what we as a nation  feel?

          So don’t leave this to others - act yourself now

In the meantime, if you have any comments or questions about membership issues, or you want the new Application Form emailed to you, contact me on mjkekeat@bigpond.net.au. I will certainly reply.

Mike Keating
Strategy and Campaigning

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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!

Purchases can be made at ARM ONLINE STORE

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