Victorian AML Christmas Drinks 2024

Date:     Friday 13 December
Time:     6pm onwards
Venue:   Boatbuilders Yard, 23 South Wharf Promenade South Wharf, VIC 3006
               Drinks and Food at Bar Price
RSVP:    Below

The 2024 National Annual Conference

The Australian Monarchist League distributed over 10,000 flags to crowds that gathered
to greet the King and Queen on their Royal Tour of Sydney and Canberra in October 2024.

The 2024 AML National Conference was held on Saturday, 9 November 2024 in Sydney. It was attended by delegates from all six Australian States plus the ACT.

The AGM was followed by a special general meeting at which the proposed new constitution was presented, discussed and passed. This means that from April 2025 online elections will be held for the newly composed National Council. Members will be advised of the procedures involved early in the New Year.

The conference itself was thoroughly enjoyed by all present. Each year we attempt to present a different perspective. In 2022 we showcased our young spokespersons from around Australia who astounded those present with their erudite and talented speeches. In 2023 we featured representatives from the campaign agency, Freshwater Strategy together with a number of State and Federal MPs, all prepared to put their shoulders to the wheel in the event of a referendum on a republic. And in 2024 we presented legal arguments dealing with the constitution and issues of concern including the Misinformation Bill. Their comments are included below.

Comments by Senator the Hon Michaelia Cash

OUR SPEAKERS

Mr Graham Connolly
“The Australian Crown and its Constitution”

Gray Connolly is a Barrister-at-Law in Coram Chambers in Sydney and practices mainly in public and Constitutional law, as well as corporations, insurances, resources, and Admiralty/Shipping law. Gray has advised the Australian Government on national security and public law matters and served as a Senior Member of the Administrative Appeals Tribunal. Gray taught Australian Constitutional Law at the University of Sydney and is the Examiner in Australian Constitutional Law for the Legal Profession Admission Board of New South Wales.

He was a Judge’s Associate in both the Supreme Court of New South Wales and the High Court of Australia. He is an Arts (Honours) and Law (Deans Merit List) from the University of Sydney and the University of New South Wales.

Gray is a graduate of the Royal Australian Naval College and holds the Queen's Commission in the rank of Commander in the Royal Australian Navy. He served previously as a Naval Intelligence officer in Asia and the Middle East, including service in the Persian Gulf, the Indian Ocean, South China Sea, and the Iraq and Afghanistan wars.

Mr Morgan Begg - The Institute of Public Affairs
"What Monarchists Need to Know About Australia’s Proposed Misinformation Laws"

Morgan Begg is the Director of Research at the Institute of Public Affairs. He joined the IPA in 2014 to advance a major report into The State of Fundamental Legal Rights in Australia. Since then Morgan has also written a number of research papers, opinion articles, IPA Review essays and submissions to parliamentary inquiries, on a variety of topics, including the issue of judicial appointments, public health restrictions, the GST, and the proposed Voice to Parliament.

Morgan’s interests are in preserving constitutional government and the rule of law, and protecting and extending the rights and freedoms of Australians, such as freedom of speech and religion.

He explains how the Albanese government's Misinformation Laws could curtail monarchists in a future republic debate or referendum

Mr John Kennedy
Outsourcing fundraising, administration & social media

John is the CEO of the WorkQC group, an Australian company with branches in the Philippines and Peru

Ms Rachel Qu
Reaching out to the Australian Chinese Community

Rachel, representing the Epoch Times, explains why it is important to engage with Chinese community,
what is the major barrier to engage with them and how to break the barrier. 
Australian Chinese are the largest non-European community in the country
and can make a significant difference in any future referendum. 

Mr Philip Benwell - National Chair of the Australian Monarchist League
Here Philip closes the day's conference.

WorkQC

AML & WorkQC

WorkQC is an Australian company with offshoots in the Philippines and Peru. John Kennedy, the owner, has combined with AML to help us with our administration, social media and fundraising. Ideally we would have Australian staff whose English was perfect and not accented, but to do so is far beyond our financial reach. As it is, we are fortunate to have John Kennedy and his team of committed workers, dedicated to helping us move forward.




This video is an illustration of the AML team based offshore.

Exclusive King’s Birthday Fundraising Auction

To mark the 76^th Birthday of His Majesty The King and the triumphant success of the recent royal tour of King Charles III and Queen Camilla, the AML is proud to present an auction of historic royal artefacts and memorabilia exclusively to its Members. This auction will help the AML continue to uphold our system of constitutional monarchy and support the Crown, as it did throughout the royal tour by distributing Australian flags to the thousands of people who gathered to welcome The King and Queen.

Highlights include rare mementoes of The King’s late mother, Queen Elizabeth II, and a superb royal document signed by his grandfather (and godfather) King George VI.

With a range of tempting Lots across all price points, we are sure that our Members will dig deep and bid generously! Further information can be viewed by scanning the QR Code at the back of this catalogue, or on our website at: www.monarchist.org.au.

The Auction opens on Monday 4 November 2024 & closes on Friday 25 November 2024. Please ensure that enquiries and bids are submitted by 5:00pm AEDT on Monday 25 November to:  [email protected].

1. A King George VI signed Australian diplomatic appointment

Signed by King George VI in June 1938 at the Court of St James approving the appointment of Belgian diplomat Monsieur F. Jansen to the position of Belgian Consul-General in Sydney. In addition to his signature, the document bears the embossed Great Seal of George VI, and is counter-signed by the British Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Lord Halifax (later Member of the War Cabinet and British Ambassador to the USA). George VI was a pivotal figure in Australian history and beloved King; opening the Provisional Parliament House in Canberra in 1927 as Duke of York, providing much-needed stability after the Abdication crisis, and being the sovereign to whom over a million members of our armed forces swore allegiance during the Second World War. Framed and glazed. Measures: 55cm x 44.5cm (overall). Condition: Very Good.

Above (far right) is included an image of the Great Seal of King George VI, embossed upon the Australian diplomatic appointment. The Great Seal features the Royal Coat of Arms encircled by the motto of the Order of the Garter and surmounted by an Imperial Crown. The outer edge of the Seal features the styles and titles of George VI.

Bidding starts at $850.

2. A rare Queen Elizabeth II royal presentation stickpin in gold, made circa 1953 by Garrard & Co.

The stickpin features the late Queen’s EIIR cypher and is encased in its original Garrard leather-bound case with the royal cypher embossed in gilt on the lid. Garrard & Co. were the famed Crown Jewellers appointed by every sovereign from Queen Victoria to Queen Elizabeth II. Likely presented as a reward for services rendered at the time of Elizabeth II’s Coronation in 1953, this stickpin is a great rarity, made for the young Queen for presentation to a close associate. Several contemporaneous royal presentation jewels by Garrard & Co. have sold in recent years and are highly collectable, such as a brooch made for one of Elizabeth II’s Maids of Honour at her Coronation in 1953 (sold by Sotheby’s London for £69,850 on 4 May 2023, The Coronation Sale). A similar gold stickpin by Cartier, London was displayed in Kings Hall at the Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House, Canberra in 2022 to mark Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee. Stickpins were popular gentleman’s accoutrements from the Georgian Period until the 1920’s used to secure a necktie or cravat, and were often presented by members of the royal family as gifts up until the 1950’s. Today, they have migrated to the lapel and have been worn by both men and women. Condition: Extremely Fine. Pin measures: 5.7cm x 1cm; case measures: 8.5cm x 4.1cm x 2.1cm. A rare opportunity to acquire a museum-worthy royal jewel linked to our longest-reigning sovereign. Bidding starts at $2500.

3. A Queen Elizabeth II royal presentation enamel pillbox

Made by Halcyon Days, suppliers of Objet d’Art by royal appointment, in blue and white enamel with EIIR cypher of the late Queen emblazoned in gilt on the lid. A luxury royal gift by a quality maker of renown, this royal pillbox would look equally elegant in use or resting in a display cabinet. Contained in its original velvet-lined fitted box. Pillbox measures: 6cm in diameter x 2cm high. Box measures: 9cm x 9cm x 4.5cm. Condition: Fine. Bidding starts at $300.

4. A scarce Menu from the Golden Wedding anniversary luncheon of Queen Elizabeth II and the Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, 1997.

In one of the most touching speeches of her reign, Elizabeth II paid tribute to her husband on the occasion of their fiftieth wedding anniversary at the luncheon held at the Guildhall, London, saying;

“He has quite simply been my strength and stay all these years, and I and his whole family - and this and many other countries - owe him a debt greater than he would ever claim or we shall ever know.

Princess Elizabeth and Lieutenant Philip Mountbatten RN were married at Westminster Abbey in 1947, and their partnership was to endure for 73 years, longer than that of any other British royal couple in history.

The menu is embossed with the Arms of both The Queen and Prince Philip in rich gilt to the cover and embellished with a golden cord and tassel. The interior (pictured right) contains a charming colour photograph of the royal couple and details of the event. Also included is the original ceremonial and seating chart for the guests. This is a rare item of royal ephemera. Measures: 28cm x 21cm.
Condition: Mint.    Bidding starts at $100.

5. A Queen Elizabeth II crystal decanter, gifted at Christmas 2009

The elegant decanter features a silver-plated collar etched with the royal EIIR cypher. It comes in fitted box lined in blue silk and is accompanied by a presentation card from Elizabeth II. These scarce royal gifts were distributed by the late Queen each Christmas to members of the royal household. Being made especially for the sovereign, they were not available for sale to the public and rarely appear at auction. Decanter measures: 31.5cm high overall; box measures: 29cm x 19cm x 15cm. Condition: Very Good. The ideal royal memento, being both a practical and elegant adornment for your drinks table.  Bidding starts at $600.

6. A pair of rose gold and enamel Federation-era cufflinks, made circa 1901 by Willis of Melbourne.

Of circular design, the links feature circular panels of gold decorated in coloured enamel depicting the Australian Federal Coat of Arms (first type), used from the time of Federation until 1912 when the Arms were updated to include the badges of the six States.

Patriotic jewellery such as this was made to celebrate the formation of the Commonwealth of Australia in 1901, and examples of Federation jewellery can be found in various State and National collections. A glittering memento of the dawn of the new nation, these cufflinks are sure to delight lovers of Australian history.

Comes in a modern presentation box. Marked to reverse of each. Weight: 6.47 grams. Facing side measures: 1.8cm in diameter; back link measures: 2.9cm long. Condition: Very Good. Bidding starts at $350.

Petition to the President of the Senate

Senator Lidia Thorpe has heckled the King in Australia's parliament, shouting:
"This is not your land. You are not my King".

Extract from ABC News 24/10/24

"The firebrand independent senator on Monday used a parliamentary reception for the royals to accuse the king, who is Australia's head of state, of genocide and demand a treaty with First Nations people.

"Give us our land back, give us what you stole from us — our bones, our skulls, our babies, our people," she shouted as she strode towards the stage while wearing a possum-skin cloak.

Her protest attracted international attention and led Opposition Leader Peter Dutton to call for her to resign, while Nationals senator Bridget McKenzie questioned whether the outburst amounted to a breach of her parliamentary oath."

You are invited to sign the petition to the President of the Senate calling on the Senate to censure Senator Thorpe.

Senator the Hon Sue Lines
President
The Senate
Parliament House
Canberra ACT 2600

We, the undersigned, petition the Senate to censure Senator Lidia Thorpe for:

• interrupting and insulting the King while he was delivering a speech in the Great Hall of Parliament House, Canberra on Monday, 21 October 2024; and
• denying His Majesty’s rightful position as lawful King of Australia, in blatant violation of her constitutional affirmation of allegiance.

Monarchists Welcome Premier’s Opera House Decision for King’s Visit

Australia’s largest and most active organisation in defence of the Australian Constitution and Crown, the Australian Monarchist League, welcomes the decision of the Premier of New South Wales, Chris Minns, to feature a projection show containing photographs of previous Royal visits to Sydney on the sails of the Opera House. 

NEW POLL FINDS MAJORITY OF AUSTRALIANS SUPPORT THE MONARCHY

SYDNEY - The Australian Monarchist League (AML), Australia’s foremost organisation defending the Constitution and the Crown, has responded emphatically to this weekend’s Daily Telegraph poll indicating that 45% of Australians oppose the establishment of a republic, with only 33% in favour - (link below). This poll starkly contrasts with the misleading claim that 92% of Australians are supportive or open to a republican system. 

UK Republic Funds Aus Protest

FOREIGN ORGANISATION FUNDS PROTESTS AGAINST THE KING IN AUSTRALIA

SYDNEY — The Australian Monarchist League has condemned British organisation Republic for funding and organising protests against the King in Australia.

Their Majesty's Tour of Australia

Their Majesties King Charles III and Queen Camilla will travel to Canberra and Sydney
during their official Tour of Australia from 18 to 23 October.

Royal Tour Lead Spokesperson
Alexander Voltz

https://adkvoltz.com/

(In Sydney & available for interviews from 19 - 23 October)
Contact via: [email protected]

Details on our other spokespersons are at:
https://www.monarchist.org.au/spokespersons

The public will have the following opportunities to see Their Majesties:

Monday 21 October

12.35 pm: Meet Their Majesties as they make their way to the For Our Country memorial at the Australian War Memorial western grounds and Sculpture Garden.

1.00 pm: Catch a glimpse of Their Majesties as formalities commence at Parliament House with a Ceremonial Welcome at 1.00 pm, followed by an opportunity to meet The King and Queen on the Parliament House forecourt at 2.10 pm.

Tuesday 22 October

4.20 pm: Meet Their Majesties on the Opera House forecourt.

4.50 pm: Catch a glimpse of Their Majesties at the Man O’War Steps as they embark the Admiral Hudson vessel to conduct a review of His Majesty’s Australian Ships Arunta, Gascoyne, Hobart, Warramunga and Yarra, anchored in Sydney Harbour. Watch as the Royal Australian Navy, Royal Australia Air Force and Australian Army conduct a fly-past during the review. Sydney Harbour, Sydney NSW.

The Australian Monarchist League will be handing out flags, free of charge, to people who gather to greet their King and Queen. This is something we have done over the past 25 years as our part in any Royal Visit. Volunteers to hand out Flags are welcome. See the links at the end of this page.

LINKS:

Volunteer to hand out flags in Canberra or Sydney

Donate to the purchase of Australian Flags
to be handed out to those who gather to greet their King and Queen

Handing out Australian Flags

The First Visit of a King to Australia

In two weeks’ time the King arrives in Australia and from information to date the King will be arriving in Sydney on Friday evening the 18^th October and will be resting for much of Saturday the 19^th and will probably travel to Canberra on Sunday the 20^th. He will be in Canberra on Monday the 21^st and then in Sydney on Tuesday the 22^nd, leaving our shores for CHOGM in Samoa sometime on Wednesday the 23^rd.

We are therefore going to need volunteers to be available from the 19^th to the 23^rd October to be mobilised once the itinerary has been confirmed. Matthew and Scott are handling Canberra and John Macauley will be in charge in Sydney. We will be advising contact details to those who volunteer. The Sydney volunteers will be operating from John’s office in Glebe.

Accordingly, if you have not already volunteered to assist, can you please give thought to doing so. 

Statement by The Princess of Wales

The Video of The Comments of HRH The Princess of Wales

The moving statement reads:

'As the summer comes to an end, I cannot tell you what a relief it is to have finally completed my chemotherapy treatment.

'The last nine months have been incredibly tough for us as a family. Life as you know it can change in an instant and we have had to find a way to navigate the stormy waters and road unknown.

'The cancer journey is complex, scary and unpredictable for everyone, especially those closest to you.

'With humility, it also brings you face to face with your own vulnerabilities in a way you have never considered before, and with that, a new perspective on everything. 

'This time has above all reminded William and me to reflect and be grateful for the simple yet important things in life, which so many of us often take for granted. Of simply loving and being loved.

'Doing what I can to stay cancer free is now my focus. Although I have finished chemotherapy, my path to healing and full recovery is long and I must continue to take each day as it comes.

'I am however looking forward to being back at work and undertaking a few more public engagements in the coming months when I can.

'Despite all that has gone before, I enter this new phase of recovery with a renewed sense of hope and appreciation of life.

'William and I are so grateful for the support we have received and have drawn great strength from all those who are helping us at this time. Everyone’s kindness, empathy and compassion has been truly humbling.

'To all those who are continuing their own cancer journey – I remain with you, side by side, hand in hand. Out of darkness, can come light, so let that light shine bright.'



END

TRIVIA NIGHT VYM

Young Monarchists in Victoria are cordially invited to a "Royal Trivia Night" with guest host Brad Rowswell MP 

DATE:    Sunday 22 September
TIME:     5pm-8pm 
VENUE:  Parliament Room, Imperial Hotel, Melbourne.

Drinks and food at bar price

Please RSVP below.

Letter to the King

The First Visit of Charles III as King of Australia

The King's visit is just six or seven weeks away and we are planning to distribute thousands of flags purchased from donations so generously made by our members. The Australian Monarchist League is a positive organisation and just as the Australian Republican Movement have sent out a call to its support base for volunteers to mount protests during the King’s visit next month, we, are calling upon our members and supporters, particularly those close to Canberra and Sydney, to volunteer to hand out flags to those who gather to cheer Their Majesties wherever they may be.

Whilst welcoming our King of Australia, we also recognise that His Majesty is under treatment for his cancer and would not be able to be as active as he would wish to be. In this regard, we all wish His Majesty well as he prepares for this visit and we invite all members and supporters to sign the below letter of welcome to His Majesty so that he is made aware of the enormous support he has in this country as our King.

Those who are able and who wish to volunteer are asked to mention this in the comments section along with other observations.

Let us all show republicans that we stand for the Australian Constitution and Crown and welcome the King of Australia to our shores.

Thank you.

HM King Charles III
King of Australia
Buckingham Palace
London SW1A 1AA
UNITED KINGDOM

Your Majesty

May it please Your Majesty that the undersigned members and supporters of the Australian Monarchist League are very much looking forward to your visit to Australia next month, October 2024. This is particularly important as it will be your first visit as our King.

We realise that Your Majesty is still undergoing medical treatment which will continue during your visit and sincerely hope that the journey and particularly meeting and greeting your subjects will not be too tiring for you.

Please be assured that we will be lining the streets to welcome you, the King of Australia, and to cheer Your Majesties as you both pass by.

With our prayers and many blessings and with heartfelt regards

Yours sincerely

The members and supporters of
the Australian Monarchist League
as represented by those who have signed hereunder.

Email 3 August 2024

Prime Minister Announces New Ministry

It was on Sunday last that prime minister Albanese announced his new ministry and whilst he did not specifically say so, he had removed the Assistant Ministership for the Republic. This gave cause for monarchists to rejoice particularly as we had fought valiantly against it since its inception in June 2022 and had been rewarded, so we thought, with its removal.

The Murdoch Matter

Ever since 1958, the then 27-year-old Rupert Murdoch has been openly agitating for the removal of the Queen, whose grandfather, King George V, had knighted Murdoch’s father, the late Sir Keith Murdoch in 1933.

In the republic debate of the 1990s Murdoch ensured that his newspaper, The Australian, would become the masthead for a republic, himself writing leading attacks on our current system of governance.

Since the resounding defeat of the republic referendum in 1999, the trounced The Australian newspaper moved to middle ground embracing a pathway to become Australia’s conservative newspaper. However, it is obvious that Murdoch has always hankered after an Australian republic and this became evident in a recent interview when, to quote from Sky News: “Rupert Murdoch has predicted Australia will become a republic within the next ten years...  As part of an exclusive interview ahead of The Australian’s 60th birthday, the Chairman Emeritus of News Corp and Fox Corporation said “I think without a doubt, it's going to evolve. John Howard, who was old fashioned, and therefore a monarchist, I guess, was very clever the way he designed the question that was put to people, which is really what do you put in its place." "It's going to happen."

LETTER TO THE AUSTRALIAN NEWSPAPER

Monarchists Call on PM to Abolish Republic Minister

The Australian Monarchist League has called, for a second time, on the prime minister to abolish the Assistant Ministership for the Republic. Philip Benwell, founder of the League, has said that “The assistant ministership appears to have no use, unless the prime minister’s actual intention is to fully prosecute a republic referendum if he gains a second term.

Abolish the Republic Minister

The devastating defeat of the Voice referendum has meant that the prime minister has backtracked on his commitment to push ahead with a referendum on changing Australia to a republic.

BUT he has not restored the King's image and symbols of the Crown which he removed nor has he discontinued changes to the law which propose to remove reference to the King.. Above all, his notorious appointment of an Assistant Minister for the Republic has not been abolished and Matt Thistlethwaite is still able to move around promoting a republic with the imprimatur of the government with the taxpayer paying his salary and expenses.

In January 2024 we launched a petition to the Prime Minister calling on him to extinguish the office of Assistant Minister for the Republic. This was later sent with over 3,500 signatures but was rudely ignored.

We are therefore relaunching the petition letter which you will find below.

It is important that we maintain pressure on the government to remove what is actually a minister of the Crown appointed specifically to remove the Crown.

THE PETITION

The Hon Anthony Albanese MP
Prime Minister of Australia
PO Box 6022
House of Representatives
Parliament House
Canberra ACT 2600

Prime Minister,

You appear to have indicated that there will now be no move towards a republic referendum and yet you still have an Assistant Minister for the Republic whose expenses continue to be funded by the Australian taxpayer.

We did write a letter to you a few months ago supported by over 3500 signatures calling on you to abolish the office of Assistant Minister for the Republic but to date we have not received any acknowledgement whatsoever.

We again write to you, this time with an open letter, reiterating our request that you abolish this position which, seemingly at your own admission, serves no official purpose and is accordingly yet another example of government waste of taxpayer monies.

Yours sincerely

Republicans in Disarray

The Hon. Eric Abetz MP, speaking on behalf of the Australian Monarchist League, today said that “The resignation of Nova Peris, as the co-chair of the Australian Republican Movement is an insight into the instability of ARM and is a microcosm of what they seek to inflict on the Australian people.”

April 2024 AML Raffle