Megxit2 and the Fresh Prince of Bel Air

Commonwealth Day 2020 was held on 9 March 2020. Commonwealth Day is meant to be a day of observance by approximately one billion people of their common bonds and the contribution of the Commonwealth of Nations to the creation of a harmonious global environment. However, the only activity connected to Commonwealth Day appears to be the British royal family attending a church service. 

Reminds me of the total lack of celebrations in Australia for the Queen’s 2012 Diamond Jubilee. All this makes a mockery of the Commonwealth Secretariat establishing as this year’s theme of “A Connected Commonwealth”.

The Australian Republic Movement (ARM) has welcomed the announcement from the Duke and Duchess of Sussex that they’re planning to step back from the British Monarchy and go their own way, and offered them Life Membership of the ARM. Peter FitzSimons, National Chair, Australian Republic Movement, said:

Harry and Meghan have said they’re distancing themselves from the British Monarchy because they want to earn their own keep, and be more ‘progressive’. They’ve effectively said they’ve outgrown the British Monarchy, and we in Australia can certainly relate to that.

Harry and Meghan clearly formed the view that the British monarchy was out of step with

modern democratic values and most Australians feel the same way. Prince William and Kate had been planning a visit to Australia – although coronavirus has now clouded that decision – showing how out-of-touch they were. Even while Australians were suffering through bushfires and floods, Australia was still receiving requests for Australian taxpayer-funded royal visits. Royal visits to Australia have previously cost millions, that money could be far better spent helping the victims of these tragic natural disasters.

Rather ironical that the last event as a senior royal is participation in Commonwealth Day service at Westminster Abbey before they return to their Commonwealth hide-out.

 

Bring on Republic Day

Today is Queen Elizabeth II's 94th birthday.  However, this year her birthday celebrations have been cancelled amid the coronavirus outbreak. 

 

For the past nine years I've been arguing the lack of any public activity around the Queen's birthday shows how the concept of monarchy is out-of-step with contemporary Australia.

• 7 October 2019 | When the Queen's birthday isn't even a birthday, it's time to move on
• 1 October 2018 | Paving the way for independence: Citizen’s Day instead of Queen's Birthday
•   22 April 2018 | The Queen’s (real) birthday — time to talk succession planning
• 2 October 2017 | Royal poll shows there may not be a King’s Birthday holiday in the future
• 12 June 2017 | Queenslander’s silent on no Queen’s Birthday holiday 
• 21 April 2017 | Operation London Bridge: For the term of ‘her’ natural life
• 3 October 2016 | Three birthdays for the Queen — Isn't it time for a Republic? 
• 13 June 2016 | Bring on the Republic of Queensland
• 9 June 2015 | Goodnight knights and dames: Taking the Queen out of Queensland 
• 9 June 2014 | Another Queen’s Birthday — isn’t it time to break free?
• 21 April 2011 | Happy 85th birthday Queen Elizabeth II. Time to retire? 

If we will no longer be acknowledging the Queen's Birthday and Britain has cancelled the Trooping the Colour parade in June to mark the Queen's official birthday, then the next question is when will be holding 'Republic Day'?

An Australian Republican Moment - 14 February 1966

Australian life has been undergoing processes of change for a long time - 54 years ago today, decimal currency replaced Imperial pounds, shillings and pence in Australian commerce. Four years after that, we replaced Imperial measurement with the metric system. We look forward to the day we replace a British royal with an Australian as our Head of State.

The Australian dollar was first introduced on 14 February 1966 when it replaced the Australian pound and introduced a decimal system to the nation. Although investigated as an alternative as early as 1901, the decimal currency system was initially introduced to Australia as an election promise by then Prime Minister Sir Robert Menzies in 1958.

There was much discussion about the name of the new currency, with several specifically Australian names such as the ‘Kanga’, ‘Austral’, ‘Merino’, and ‘Dinkum’ bandied around. A public naming competition seeking suggestions with an Australian flavour added nearly 1000 names to this list including such exotic suggestions as 'Oz', 'Boomer', 'Roo', 'Kanga', 'Emu', 'Koala', 'Digger', 'Zac', 'Kwid', and 'Ming' (the nickname of Prime Minister Menzies).

In June 1963, with no clear consensus having emerged on a name, the Government decided to name the new currency the 'Royal'. Treasurer Harold Holt explained that the Government saw this name as “emphasising our link with the Crown” and as being “a dignified word with a pleasing sound".

Between June and September 1963, the Bank's Note Printing Branch developed a variety of design concepts for the Royal notes.

Design concept for the 10 "royal" note 

While the name ‘Royal’ was settled upon initially, it proved extremely unpopular with the Australian people. Just three months after announcing the 'Royal' decision the Government conceded on 19 September 1963 that the name of the currency unit would be the 'Dollar'. This decision won quick and general public approval.

The official conversion to decimal currency took place on 14 February 1966. The jingle below became well known to many Australians in the lead-up to the conversion date.

Decimal Change Over Song

In come the dollars and in come the cents

To replace the pounds and the shillings and the pence

Be prepared for change when the coins begin to mix

On the fourteenth of February 1966.

Chorus:

Clink go the coins, clink, clink, clink

Change over day is closer than you think

Learn the value of the coins and the way that they appear

And things will be much smoother when the decimal point is here.

In come the dollars and in come the cents

To replace the pounds and the shillings and the pence

Be prepared folks when the coins begin to mix

On the fourteenth of February 1966.

Thankfully the 1960s Menzies government finally saw sense in not pushing the ‘Royal’ onto the Australian people. It was a term not recognised as remotely appropriate by Australians. Fifty years later the latest poll shows that just over 50% of Australians don't want a Royal as our Head of State. 

We look forward to the day we replace an English royal with an Australian as our Head of State.

Vale Martin Hollander

I am saddened to pass on the news that Martin Hollander, secretary of the NSW Branch of the Australian Republic Movement, his wife Barabara and sons Berand and Matthew were trajically killed in the Whakaari/White island volcano eruption in NZ on Monday, 9 December 2019. 

Martin was a fantastic contributor to the ARM, being the secretary of the NSW Branch since 2017. He was just recently elected again as secretary last month. He was a strong believer in an Australian republic, seeing the issue from a unique perspective with his wife and children born in the United States and having worked and lived overseas for many years.

I know many of you would have met Martin at the various ARM events over the years. Martin's insights, warmth and depth of character was a tremendous asset to the campaign and a gift to all those who knew him. I think you would agree with me that in addition to his contribution in trying to make Australia a republic, he was also one of the nicest people you could meet, a genuinely great bloke.

Please see attached a short video in memory of Martin. The ARM had the opportunity to sit down with him earlier this year to record a conversation about his support for an Australian republic, and hear his story.

Vale Martin, Barbara, Berend and Matthew. You will be missed.