ARM Media Statement - May 19, 2000

100 year old member kicks off republican recruitment drive… no letter from the Queen for me says century old Joe McKay

The Australian Republican Movement (ARM) today publicly kicked-off its post referendum membership drive by presenting an commemorative membership to a 100 year old Australian, who on his birthday, wanted a congratulatory message not from the Queen, but from an Australian citizen.

Celebrating his centenary birthday, Joe McKay from Glenfield in south-west Sydney, yesterday accepted a congratulatory message and a special membership of the reformed Australian Republican Movement from its chairman, Malcolm Turnbull.

Mr Turnbull presented congratulations to Mr McKay - a republican all his life - on behalf of all members of the Australian Republican Movement.

The national director of the ARM, James Terrie, said that in the not too distant future republicans hope that 100 year old Australians will receive congratulations on their birthday from an Australia citizen, living in Australia, and not from a foreign head of state who has never lived and will never reside in Australia.

Mr Terrie said Joe McKay - who has five children, 13 grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren - is one of millions of Australian who support Australia having one of its own citizens as head of state.

"Joe McKay has proudly joined the ranks of the ARM, which is busily recruiting new members now that we have a new constitution and with elections coming up in the next few months," said Mr Terrie.

"We have been happy with the steady flow of memberships coming in during this membership drive, but we need existing members to renew and more people like Joe McKay, who support the cause, to come on deck so we can make an Australian republic a reality sooner rather than later."

Mr Terrie said it is important for Australians who believe in an Australian head of state to support the ARM. The ARM is committed to a broad public debate about what kind of arrangements will best suit the nation when we create a republic with an Australian at the apex of our system of democratic government.

"One of the key objectives of the ARM is civics education and building widespread community support for whatever option we put to the people during the next few years," Me Terrie said.

"This means we need members to help us spread the word and fund this next push for an Australian, chosen by Australians, as our head of state."

Membership of the ARM, which now includes a special youth wing, is $1 per month for concession membership ($12), $3 a month for standard members ($40 a year) and
$5 a month for family memberships, ($60 a year).

Membership forms are available by telephoning the ARM, free call 1800 80 2000 or on line at the ARM web page, www.republic.com.au.

Enquiries:
James Terrie
ARM National Director
Tel: 02 9267 8022