Last year was a special one for all Australians, as we celebrated the centenary of federation.

The 100th anniversary of our flag was commemorated around the nation, and members of the Association ensured that this significant anniversary received due recognition throughout Queensland. The celebrations on 3 September took on added significance following the horror of the events that occurred in New York eight days later.

We shall continue our efforts to ensure that our flag continues to fly proudly over the Australian Commonwealth - at this time when our military personnel are serving overseas, we especially value the qualities that it represents.

Congratulations to all those who helped promote the flag during its centenary year.



The Annual General Meeting for the Association will be held at 10.30 am in the "Four Seasons Room" on the First Floor of the Queensland Irish Association (171 - 175 Elizabeth Street, Brisbane: opposite the Hilton Hotel). There is a lift in the entrance lobby for use. All buses proceeding down Elizabeth St., towards the Valley Stop outside the Hilton Hotel and there are two car parks handy- one in the Hilton complex and another 30-40 yards from the Irish Association in Elizabeth St.

Please Note:
We are not permitted to cater for ourselves this year owing to the catering licence held by the Irish Association but they will provide mixed sandwiches, small cakes, tea and coffee etc., at charge of $7. per person.



Air Commodore Derek Kingwell has had to relinquish his position due to ill health. We express our gratitude for his service as Patron, and send our best wishes to him and his family. Our founding President Dr. Rupert Goodman AM has accepted appointment as Patron, as has Rear Admiral Philip Kennedy, AO, RAN (Rtd). Sir Albert Abbot, Major General 'Digger' James, and Miss 'Pixie' Annat continue to serve as Patrons of the Association - we congratulate Pixie Annat on her award of the "Archbishop's Medal" for service to the Anglican Diocese.

Secretary Honoured with Community Service Award
We congratulate our long-standing Hon Secretary Mr Austin Wilkins, who recieved a “ Moreton Community Service Award” to recognise his contribution to the community through the Australian National Flag Association. The award was presented on Australia Day 2002 by the Hon Gary Hardgrave, Federal Member for Moreton and Minister for Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs.



Saturday April 6 , 2002
From 10.30am
At the Queensland Irish Association, 171-175 Elizabeth Street, Brisbane (opposite the Hilton Hotel)

The meeting will be held in the “Four Seasons Room” on the first floor – there is a lift in the entrance lobby. All buses proceeding down Elizabeth Street towards the Valley stop outside the Hilton Hotel, and there are two car parks in the vicinity – one in the Hilton complex and another in Elizabeth Street. Please note – we cannot bring our own food and drink into the Club, so refreshments will be available for purchase at the conclusion of the meeting (see below).

Agenda

• Opening. Welcome. Quorum. Apologies.
• Minutes of 2001 AGM, and business arising therefrom.
• President’s Annual Report.
• Receiving the Council’s report and the Statement of Income and Expenditure, Assets & Liabilities and Mortgages, Charges & Securities affecting the property of the Association for the preceding financial year.
• Receiving the Auditor’s Report upon the books & accounts for the year 2001
• Membership Report.
• Appointment of an Auditor for 2002.
• Appointment of Hon. Solicitor
• Notices of Motion of which appropriate notice has been given to the Secretary.
• Election of officers and members of Council. (At this point all offices are declared vacant and a Presiding Officer conducts the election).
• Announcement of new Council and formal close of AGM.

There will be no charge to attend the AGM. However following the meeting, morning tea (mixed sandwiches, small cakes, tea and coffee etc) will be available at a cost of $7-00 per person. To assist with catering, if you intend to purchase refreshments please respond prior to March 29th to:

Hon Secretary (Austin Wilkins) on 3892 2965
Treasurer (Mrs Ruth Lines) on 3349 2369



The Centenary of the flag was celebrated with a number of different events around the nation In Queensland, the Centenary of Federation committee chose to highlight Townsville’s role as the venue for the first official raising of the Australian flag in the presence of His Excellency the Governor - General. A “Festival of the First Flag” was held in Townsville in August (a little earlier than the actual anniversary of the event in 1901), and the new Governor - General (Dr. Hollingworth) presided at the centrepiece event - which also featured the “Federation Centenary Guard” drawn from various Australian Military units. The “Townsville Bulletin” published a very detailed series describing the history of the flag and explaining how it came to pass that Townsville was the first place where the new flag was raised in the presence of the then Governor-General (the Earl of Hopetoun), on 16 September 1901. Further, the local museum opened a display exhibiting fragments of the original flag which had been retrieved and donated by Raymond Campbell.

The celebrations in Townsville certainly highlighted to local residents the proud history of our flag, and it is very pleasing that the Association has re-formed a branch in the region. Any inquiries can be directed to Melinda Holborn on 4723 9635 or 0429 708 875.

On September 3, members of the Association initiated or participated in ceremonies and commemorations of the flag’s centenary at Brisbane, Toowoomba, Mackay, Bundaberg, Yeppoon, and Beaudesert.

Congratulations to all those who helped arrange these events, and special thanks to:

• Bundaberg ANFA member Marie Slapp, and local members of the Australian Naval Association and the Korean War Veterans Association
• Yeppoon member Judy Cooke, the Livingstone Shire Council, and the Yeppoon RSL.
• The Beaudesert Shire Council
• Dr. Kett Kennedy & Ms. Siriol Giffney, who researched the Townsville flag raising history.
• Len Hansen and the Mackay ANFA branch, who arranged a disply as well as staging a ceremony at the Mackay Civic Centre.
• John Brett and the Toowoomba ANFA branch, who arranged a dusk service next to the Toowoomba City Hall, and Gordon Palm from the branch, who produced a range of “flag centenary merchandise”.
• Melinda Holborn and ‘Dutchy’ Hemerick, who co-ordinated Townsville branch activities, and
• Woolworths Limited, who decorated their stores with Australian flags for the centenary and had staff wearing badges proclaiming” Woolworths Limited - We’re flying the flag on Australian National Flag Day”

We were honoured with the presence of His Excellency The Governor and Mrs. Arnison at the ceremony in Brisbane, and we’d also like to acknowledge the contribution of the 7th Combat Service Support Battalion (Australian Army, Enoggera), the band and Choir of the Brisbane State High School, and “Flags of all Nations”. Mr. Arthur and Mrs. Ailsa Scurr provided very generous sponsorship for our promotion of the flag centenary - which included a huge banner flown accross Wickham Street at the entrance to Fortitude Valley saying “Celebrate Australian National Flag Day 3 September” . Major Colin Harper donated space in the programme for his concerts to promote the Association and the flag centenary.