Britain–Australia Society

The Britain–Australia Society was established in 1971 as a friendship society to promote historic links between the United Kingdom and Australia. It has headquarters in the Australia Centre within Australia House in London and branches throughout the United Kingdom.

History

In 1971 Sir Robert Menzies and Sir Alec Douglas-Home, former Prime Ministers of Australia and the United Kingdom, re-founded the pre-existing Australia Club to form two sister societies based in the United Kingdom and Australia in order to recognise the value of a continuing cultural exchange between two countries which share a rich heritage of family ties, history, culture, language, sport and business. Despite being founded by two former politicians, the societies are apolitical and non-commercial.

Aims

The aims of the Britain–Australia Society are to:

  • strengthen existing friendship between the United Kingdom and Australia
  • promote educational exchanges
  • arrange social events for members
  • provide a point of contact for Australians visiting the United Kingdom
  • maintain links with Australia
  • be a forum for personal and professional development of talented youth

Branches

Branches are maintained in Cambridgeshire, Norfolk, Leicestershire, Lincoln, Portsmouth and the West Country. Regional functions are held by these branches in addition to centrally-organised activities.

Events

A primary activity is the organising of events such as diplomatic dinners/seminars, a garden party at the residence of His Excellency the High Commissioner, after-hours visit to the Tower of London, tutored wine tastings and presentations from noted diplomats and experts.

The West Country branch arranges an annual service of remembrance and lunch in Bath honouring the memory of Admiral Arthur Phillip.

Awards

The Society grants an occasional Britain-Australia Society Award to recognise a person who has demonstrated a long-term contribution to relations between the United Kingdom and Australia. Past recipients have been Barry Humphries, Lord Hague, Kylie Minogue, David Attenborough and Lord Carrington.

Officers

The Patron of the Society is The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh KG KT OM GCVO GBE ONZ QSO AK GCL CC CMM

The President is The Rt Hon. Lord Hague of Richmond (the founding President was Lord Carrington)

The Chairman is Damian Walsh

The Vice-Chairman is Neil Redcliffe

Vice Presidents:

Honorary Vice-Presidents:

Board of Management
  • Mr Damian Walsh – Chairman
  • Mr Neil Redcliffe – Deputy Chairman
  • Mr Matt Anderson PSM – Deputy High Commissioner (ex-officio)
  • Mr James Mraz - Deputy Agent-General for South Australia (ex-officio)
  • Mr Keith Newton – Chairman West Country Branch
  • Mr Ken Ryan – Agent General for Victoria (ex-officio)
  • Mr Peter Sargent
  • Ms Patricia Wadley
  • Mr Edwin Wong

The Administrative, Membership & Events Executive is Ms Marina Kinsman

The Honorary Chaplain of the Society is George Bush, Rector of St Mary le Bow church.

Sponsors

As a non-commercial society, administration and events are funded by membership subscriptions, management fees and corporate sponsors, including Australian Government agencies and businesses and organisations with an Australian interest in the United Kingdom or a British interest in Australia.

Affiliates
  • Five Charitable Trusts are maintained by the society:
    • The Britain–Australia Society Educational Trust provides sponsorship for young people of both countries, particularly for skills exchange.
    • The Northcote Trust funds postgraduate scholarships to Australia.
    • The Friends of the University of Sydney UK Trust engages UK Alumni of the University.
    • The Royal Flying Doctor Service – Friends in the UK
  • The Cook Society was founded in 1969 on the initiative of Prime Ministers Sir Alec Douglas-Home and Sir Robert Menzies, with the aim of promoting British-Australian relations at a high level. It has counterparts in Australian States with which it is in constant touch. Membership of the Society in Britain is limited to 100, excluding Honorary members, and represents a wide range of national interests including senior business and professional people, politicians, civil servants and academics. Membership is by invitation only. The B-AS administers the Cook Society and shares some events.
  • Australia-Britain Society members have reciprocal rights when in Britain, and vice versa.
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