Philip Benwell, MBE
He had earlier coordinated the Queen Elizabeth Gate Appeal in Australia raising the largest amount of any Commonwealth country other than the UK. The Appeal had been established by Prince Michael of Kent to build the Queen Elizabeth Gates in Hyde Park, London as a tribute to the Queen Mother.
Benwell has written a number of books and papers including:
“In Defence of Australia's Constitutional Monarchy.”
ISBN: 07734-66967 (2003)
“A very public affair – The Australian Constitution and Crown.”
ISBN: 978-0-646-51652-3 (2013/4)
"Australia - Our Country, Our Constitution, Our Governance."
ISBN: 978-0-646-96330-3 (2016).
Prior to his involvement in the Australian Monarchist League, Benwell had been engaged in various community and sporting activities. He was awarded the MBE in 1976 for his work within the community.
His advice on the Australian and British Constitutions has been often sought in Britain and elsewhere. The late Lord Molyneaux of Killead commented that Benwell “is renowned not only in Australia but throughout the Commonwealth for his dedication to sound governance. His first-hand experience of structures in most nations of the world, where his judgment is widely respected, has led to his advice being widely sought in democracies great and small.”
He has written ‘The Wattle Crown’ as a tribute to Her Most Gracious Majesty, Queen Elizabeth, Queen of Australia, whom he has served in a voluntary capacity for half of his life.
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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.'
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VYM Trivia Night Sep 2024
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.WhenSeptember 22, 2024 at 5:00pm7 rsvpsWhereParliament Room, Imperial Hotel
2-8 Bourke St
Melbourne, VIC 3000
Australia
Google map and directions -
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 MajestyMay 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 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. -
2024 AML National Conference
The 2024 National Conference of the Australian Monarchist League will be held in Sydney on Saturday 9 November 2024 at the Castlereagh Boutique Hotel, 169 Castlereagh Street, Sydney.
The conference will be followed by a dinner, also at the Castlereagh Boutique Hotel, to honour King Charles III on the occasion of his birthdaY.
We have been able to subsidise the cost for AML members so that there is no change from the fees charged for pastc onferences. The fees are:
Conference: $120 for members & $150 for non-members.
Dinner: $110.NOTE: It only costs $10 to join as an online member. GoTo: Joining AML
The conference will be a full day conference with coffee/tea on arrival, morning tea (tea/coffee, assorted danish, fruits), light lunch (sandwiches, sweet items), afternoon tea(tea/coffee and cookies).
The dinner will comprise 2-course alternate drop of main and dessert with coffee & tea. Guests will need to purchase their own drinks.
Bookings are now accepted as indicated below.$110.00 AUD · 5 rsvpsWhenNovember 09, 2024 at 8:30am -
Philip Benwell published Royal Visit Celebratory Dinner - Melbourne in Events 2024-08-23 21:23:17 +1000
Royal Visit Celebratory Dinner - Melbourne
Ahead of the King and Queen's arrival to Australia in October, the Victorian Branch of the Australian Monarchist League is pleased to announce a celebratory dinner on Saturday 12 October 2024 at 6.00 pm to celebrate Their Majesties’ imminent arrival and mark two years since the passing of our beloved late Queen Elizabeth and the King’s Accession.
With us for the evening and sharing some thoughts will be Michael Leunig, a cartoonist, writer, painter, philosopher and poet. His commentary on political, cultural and emotional life spans sixty years and has often explored the idea of an innocent and sacred personal world. His work appears regularly in The Age and the Sydney Morning Herald.
Details are:
DATE: Saturday 12th October, 2024
TIME: 6.00pm
VENUE: The State Library of Victoria, 328 Swanston Street Melbourne VIC 3000
DRESS: Cocktail / Lounge Sui
COST: $150 Members - $160 Non-Members (Canapes on arrival will be followed by a two-course dinner and four hours of beverages)
BOOK: Below
Please note that the cost of this event is reflective of the high costs being charged by hospitality providers at this time. We are expecting to do no more than break even; however, we are putting on this event to ensure our members and other interested members of the public have the opportunity to engage with us and each other in celebration of this historic event.
It should be made clear that Their Majesties will not be present at this event which is to celebrate their visit to Australia.WhenOctober 12, 2024 at 6:00pm$150.00 AUD · 33 rsvpsWhere -
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.
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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."Even in this comment, Mr Murdoch is pushing disinformation because the referendum question was drafted in consultation with republicans and was actually later changed at the request of Malcolm Turnbull.We are therefore writing to The Australian newspaper urging them not to again become a masthead for a republic but rather that they maintain unbiased reporting and not resort to the sort of misinformation that was propagated 25 years ago. To quote from our letter, which you will find below, “As a newspaper The Australian has since matured and has deservedly become the national newspaper of choice for those who want balanced news and opinion but If you again become a flagship for the republican cause, you will not only lose the support of our readership, but potentially that of thousands of others.”We invite you to also sign the letter and in so doing help to ensure that we do not have to face the entirety of the mainstream media stacked against us as we did in 1999.
Thank youLETTER TO THE AUSTRALIAN NEWSPAPER
Ms Michelle GunnEditor-In-ChiefThe Australian2 Holt StreetSurry Hills NSW 2010(GPO Box 4245 Sydney NSW 2001)Dear Ms GunnWe were surprised that, in his interview for the Sky documentary ‘The Australian: 60 Years of News’, Mr Rupert Murdoch had forecast that Australia would become a republic in ten years.In the 1990s he had ensured that The Australian newspaper would be the flagship for an Australian republic. In 1999 not only did the republic referendum end in ignominious defeat for its supporters, but also The Australian newspaper suffered through loss of readership and a new antipathy amongst many conservatives was created by your overtly partisan push for a republicIn the 25 years following the republic referendum, The Australian has since become the favourite newspaper for those who are conservatively minded. You have some of the best journalists in the country who are all, apart from a few, conservatives,.We, the undersigned, therefore ask that you continue to maintain unbiased reporting in the matter of a republic and not resort to the sort of misinformation that was propagated 25 years ago.As a newspaper The Australian has since matured and has deservedly become the national newspaper of choice for those who want balanced news and opinion but If you again become a flagship for the republican cause, you will not only lose the support of our readership, but potentially that of thousands of others.Yours sincerelyc.c.Mr Nicholas GrayManaging DirectorThe Australian -
Philip Benwell published Monarchists Call on PM to Abolish Republic Minister in Media Releases 2024-06-11 08:41:23 +1000
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.
Read more -
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
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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.”
Read more -
Philip Benwell donated 2024-04-07 22:12:53 +1000
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The King's Maundy Message 2024
THE ROYAL MAUNDY SERVICE 2024, WORCESTER CATHEDRAL
THURSDAY 28 MARCH 2024
His Majesty was unable to attend the 2024 Royal Maundy Service, so a recording of the following message was played to the congregation at Worcester Cathedral.The audio message started with The King reading The First Lesson – a reading from the Gospel according to John (John 13.1 – 15).
The text of His Majesty's Message
“Ladies and Gentlemen, it is, for me, a great sadness that I cannot be with you all today. The Maundy Service has a very special place in my heart. It has its origin in the life of Our Lord who knelt before his disciples and, to their great surprise, washed their travel-weary feet. And, as we have just heard, in doing so he deliberately gave to them and to us all an example of how we should serve and care for each other. -
The Princess of Wales by A Voltz
Princess Catherine fights cancer, as does our Crown
by Alexander Voltz
Published by the Spectator 23/3/24 -
The Princess of Wales
Sending our best wishes to HRH The Princess of Wales
Read more
HRH The Princess of Wales has issued a video statement on Instagram thanking all those who had sent messages of support and explaining that, during her successful abdominal surgery, cancer was diagnosed and she is now undergoing The Princess of Wales -
Message to The Princess of Wales
HRH The Princess of Wales has issued a video statement on Instagram thanking all those who had sent messages of support and explaining that, during her successful abdominal surgery, cancer was diagnosed and she is now undergoing chemotherapy
Our hearts go out to this young Princess and her family at this time and we urge all to sign the below card sending our best wishes to Her Royal Highness at this very stressful time.
HRH The Princess of Wales
Kensington Palace
London
Our hearts go out to Your Royal Highness on hearing the news that you are undergoing chemotherapy treatment for your cancer and we send our sincere wishes for a speedy recovery and for strength and perseverance as you undergo your treatment.
Our thoughts and prayers are also with the Prince of Wales and the children at this time. -
Philip Benwell published The King's Proposed Visit to Australia in Media Releases 2024-03-04 11:43:26 +1100
The King's Proposed Visit to Australia
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said plans were already underway on possible logistics for a visit by King Charles III and Queen Camila and his office has confirmed it is speaking with States and Territories about the visit planned for October this year. Their Majesties will be visiting on their way to CHOGM in Samoa.
Read more -
Sending Best Wishes to the King
STATEMENT BY BUCKINGHAM PALACE
During The King’s recent hospital procedure for benign prostate enlargement, a separate issue of concern was noted. Subsequent diagnostic tests have identified a form of cancer.
His Majesty has today commenced a schedule of regular treatments, during which time he has been advised by doctors to postpone public-facing duties. Throughout this period, His Majesty will continue to undertake State business and official paperwork as usual.
The King is grateful to his medical team for their swift intervention, which was made possible thanks to his recent hospital procedure. He remains wholly positive about his treatment and looks forward to returning to full public duty as soon as possible.
His Majesty has chosen to share his diagnosis to prevent speculation and in the hope it may assist public understanding for all those around the world who are affected by cancer.
Please send your best wishes below:
HM King Charles III
King of Australia
Buckingham Palace
London SW1A 1AA
UNITED KINGDOM
Your Majesty
We, the undersigned, were all dismayed to receive news that Your Majesty has been diagnosed with a form of cancer. We do hope that with prompt treatment and rest, full recovery will ensue. Our prayers and very best wishes are offered at this time and for the future. -
Philip Benwell published Australian Monarchist League wishes King Charles all the best in Media Releases 2024-02-06 09:08:36 +1100
Australian Monarchist League wishes King Charles all the best
The Australian Monarchist League wishes the King of Australia, King Charles III all the best as he deals with his health prognosis.
Read more -
Philip Benwell published Republic Minister v Cost of Living in Media Releases 2024-02-02 08:47:27 +1100
Republic Minister v Cost of Living
AUSTRALIANS BATTLING COST OF LIVING CRISIS
DON’T WANT WASTE WITH MINISTER FOR REPUBLICOver 3500 Australians have signed a letter to the Prime Minister calling for the abolition of the unnecessary and wasteful position of an Assistant Minister for the Republic, especially in the midst of a cost of living crisis.
The letter co-ordinated by the Australian Monarchist League calls on the Prime Minister to instead consider a cost of living minister to deal with the crisis facing many Australians.
Read more
