Chair's Report
Republican Gathering '05
Branch Council Elections
ARM Membership Renewals
ARM Speeches and Articles
New Matilda membership offer
ARM merchandise
What's On
Contact Us

Welcome to Republican Roundup, the monthly e-newsletter of the Australian Republican Movement.

The major republican event for the month was undoubtedly the Republican Gathering held in the Legislative Assembly meeting room in Canberra on 12-13 August. Along with Ted O'Brien, Richard Fidler and Allison Henry I represented the ARM. The Gathering was an outstanding success, a view shared by nearly everyone present. My congratulations and thanks to ACT Convenor Terry Fewtrell and his team and to Sarah Brasch and Women for an Australian Republic, the co-hosts.

I am sure that history will see the Gathering as a major step in building republican momentum and joining republicans together as we work to achieve our aims. Future Gatherings will build further on this momentum. I look forward to even broader representation of republicans at the next Gathering in 2006.

I took the opportunity of parliamentary sittings this month to visit Parliament House on several occasions to call on MPs. All our community republican work, such as the Gathering, needs to be matched by equally close attention to Parliament. I was especially pleased to discuss ARM with two new MPs, Senator Russell Trood (Liberal, Qld) and Senator Christine Milne (Greens, Tas), who are great republican supporters and will continue to be so in their new positions. I also had the opportunity to share a platform at ANU with republicans Dick Adams and Bob McMullan (Labor). The sittings also enabled me to have a valuable meeting with NC members, Senator Marise Payne and Senator Natasha Stott Despoja.

Welcome back to the National Committee Will Fowles, who as next in line from the 2004 NC elections is standing in for Bill Peach until December. Will's recent election to the Board of the Melbourne Cricket Club committee was the background to an excellent profile of him in the Melbourne Sunday Age on 7 August. The profile includes plenty of good publicity for the republican cause and talking about the ARM.

While on the subject of the National Committee I would like to personally thank three of our ARM branch conveners who will not be returning after the ARM elections. Geoff Britton (SA), Jason Falinski (NSW) and Helen Millicer (Vic) will all be greatly missed. They have all made significant contributions during my time as chair and I'll miss working with each of them. The branch council elections will also mean that some state councillors will be stepping down. Thanks to them all for their hard work and energy. They know who they are without me mentioning them all by name. Welcome to all new councillors too. Branch councils are the engine of our community activity and without them ARM could not continue doing the work it does with anywhere near the same success.

Among ARM longer term plans can I mention just one: the 2006 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne. I have written on behalf of ARM to the Secretary General of the Commonwealth, Donald McKinnon, to confirm the precise situation of republics within the Commonwealth. In debate during the Games ARM will be making the point that republics are plentiful and perfectly acceptable within the Commonwealth. This is a point we have long known but our experience during the 1999 referendum campaign shows that we must repeat it frequently to the Australian community.

Finally, the ARM's national director, Allison Henry, spoke at the 30th anniversary conference for International Women's Year in Canberra on 6 August.

More next month.

Best wishes,

John Warhurst, ARM Chair
chair@republic.org.au

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ARM membership renewals are now due. If you have not already done so, you can renew your membership online.

Many thanks to those members who have already renewed their membership for 2005-2006. Receipts are currently being processed.

The ARM is a membership-based organisation funded entirely by the financial contributions and fundraising efforts of our members and supporters. Your ongoing support will help us maintain our campaign for an Australian Head of State, and launch important initiatives throughout the coming year.

SEPTEMBER

Gold Coast Forum Luncheon with Guest Keynote Speaker Jim Soorley
Date: Tuesday 6 September 2005
Time: 11.15am for 12noon
Venue: Anzac Room, Twin Towns Services Club
Address: Wharf Street Tweed Heads
Cost: $18pp (buffet luncheon)
RSVP: Gary (07) 5536 5218 or convenor@republicgoldcoast.com
Flyer

The ARM’s QLD Council presents 'President Wilson in Paris'
Date: Friday 9 September 2005
Time: 8pm
Venue: Gardens Theatre, QUT
Cost: Adult $38 Concession/Student $32
RSVP: Friday 2nd September.
More information 0407 363 368 or 1@dwmobrien.com
Flyer

QLD Republic Upstairs with Nick Greiner
Date: Monday 26 September 2005
Time: 5.30pm for 6pm
Venue: Glassworks Wine Bar & Bistro (Upstairs)
Address: 26 Market Street, Brisbane CBD
Cost: $10 per head at door, includes entry & finger food ~ drinks are at bar prices
RSVP: 1@dmwobrien.com or 0407 363 368
Flyer