- Young Australia League
The Young Australia League (Inc) (Y.A.L.) is an
Australia n youth organisation which was formed inPerth, Western Australia in 1905 byJack Simons andLionel Boas . [cite web|url=http://www.yal.org.au/aboutus.htm|title=Young Australia League — About Us|work=YAL|accessdate=2008-07-26] Developed as a means to encouragenationalism and patriotic values, the organisation organises activities and the ideals of "Education through Travel", the aims of its founders.History
Simons was secretary of the
Western Australian Football League (WAFL) between 1905 and 1914, and believed that the encroachment of soccer, rugby and other "non-Australian" sports was threatening the game ofAustralian rules football . Along with several prominent Western Australians including Lionel Boas, the Young Australia Football League was formed in 1905 as a development organisation for football in Western Australia. [cite web|url=http://www.adb.online.anu.edu.au/biogs/A110624b.htm|title= Simons, John Joseph (Jack) (1882 – 1948)|work=Australian Dictionary of Biography|accessdate=2008-07-26] [cite web|url=http://register.heritage.wa.gov.au/PDF_Files/U-Z%20-%20A-D/YAL%20Building%20(I-AD).PDF|title=Register of Heritage Paces - YAL Building|work=Western Australian Heritage Council|accessdate=2008-07-26] The League organised intra- and interstate tours for young Western Australian football players to promote the Australian rules football code as part of a broader nationalist agenda. Other people involved with the establishment of the League were prominent Western Australian artists H. H. Eastcourt and Arthur Clarke, and noted Victorian artist Robert Prenzel.Shortly afterward, the YAFL changed its name to 'Young Australia League', and its activities were diversified to include literature, debating, band music, sport and theatrical performances, as well as outdoor pursuits such as
hiking andcamping . Setting its activities mainly for boys, the League promoted a philosophy of development of Australian nationalism with the aim of becoming the 'largest boys club in theBritish Empire '. In 1909 the League had its first of many interstate tours, with early overseas tours conducted in 1911, 1914, 1925 and 1929.After
World War I , branches were established in other states along similar lines to the Perth organisation.convert|59|ha of land was purchased in 1929 in the
Darling Scarp near Roleystone and developed for the League's outdoor activities. This became Araluen Botanical Gardens, as a memorial to YAL members killed in action, and was dedicated in 1930 by the Governor, SirWilliam Campion .Simons, who had extensive publishing interests, died in 1945. Four years prior, he assigned his interest in Western Press to Y.A.L., giving the League a
bequest of $50,000.The League continued but is now only operational in Western Australia. Due to declining funds, Araluen had fallen into disrepair by 1985 and was sold to the
Government of Western Australia . Since 1990 it has been run as a not-for-profit volunteer organisation, responsible for the Park's restoration, preservation and development.In Simon's lifetime, an estimated 50,000 people participated in the well-known Y.A.L. travel tours around the world.
Boas was president of the League for forty years, until his death in 1949.
Facilities
The League's headquarters are at 45 Murray Street, at the corner of Irwin Street, Perth; a heritage
listed building which was built in 1924 to accommodate clubrooms and administration. The foyer houses an extensive museum ofmemorabilia associated with the League's early years.'Camp Simons' is a youth camp set in bushland not far from Araluen, and about 3 km from
Canning Dam . It has accommodation and facilities for about 200 people. [cite web|url=http://www.yal.org.au/cs.htm|title=Camp Simons|work=YAL|accessdate=2008-07-29]References
Further reading
*cite book|author=
Victor Courtney |title=The Life Story of J. J. Simons: Founder of the Young Australia League|publisher=YAL, Perth|year=1961
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