From the Chair

Dear Members,

May was another busy and productive month.

Firstly, thanks to all those members who emailed regarding ‘grass-roots’ activities. There were some very useful suggestions. They were all considered at the National Committee meeting on 26 May and some will be incorporated in our plans for the remainder of 2008. Some ideas, although potentially great, would require significant work and commitment from a significant number of people. Like lots of things we would like to do these will need to wait until they can be resourced. On the positive side, individual members have volunteered to coordinate activities in the Maitland area, the NSW Central Coast area and London, UK. We are currently working with these committed and generous members to help them make ‘grass-roots’ progress in their home area. More of this would be the best possible way forward ? so if you would be prepared to play a role in coordinating small activities in your local area/ postcode please email chair@republic.org.au. More about this next month, as we plan our national activity for the Australia Day weekend in 2009.

On the weekend 17/18 May, Terry Fewtrell and I represented the ARM at the fourth gathering of the various republican groups in Australia (RG4) held in Sydney. Other ARM members were also present - either as individuals or as leaders of groups with a particular platform. It was a useful meeting and although there are differences of opinion on some issues there was general agreement that the Rudd Government should commit itself to a process and a timetable and that a plebiscite on the threshold question staged concurrently with the 2010 federal election is a realistic goal. The statement of general agreement issued at the end of RG4 is reproduced elsewhere in this newsletter. RG5 is planned to be held in Melbourne on Apr/ May 2009.

At the ACT Branch Dinner on 31 May it was my honour to present John Warhurst (currently Senior Deputy Chair) with Life Membership of the ARM. John, who is well known to many of you, has contributed significantly to our republican cause over a long period of time. He has done everything from grass-roots activities in Canberra to being National Chair for three years and continues to be an active and highly valued member of the National Committee. John and his wife Joan are about to embark on an extended retirement/sabbatical trip so we wish them well on that and look forward to their safe return in August. Congratulations John.

Lisa Singh, our Tasmanian Convener, has recently been appointed a Parliamentary Secretary in the Tasmanian Parliament. Congratulations Lisa.

We are continuing to make progress with our re-branding activities and a lot of effort is being put into rewriting materiel, revitalizing our national website, reviewing our logo and so on. I hope you will see the results of these efforts on our website over the coming weeks/months.

In the meantime, seize the opportunity to renew your membership, order some ARM wine and talk to your friends about making our great country even more democratic and independent.

Best wishes.

Mike Keating, National Chair (June 2008)