Britain-Australia Society

The Britain-Australia Society was established in 1971 as a friendship society to promote historic links between Britain and Australia. It has headquarters in Buckingham Gate in London and branches throughout England.

History

Britons and Australians share a rich heritage of family ties, history, culture, language, sport and business. In 1971 Sir Robert Menzies and Sir Alec Douglas-Home, former Prime Ministers of Australia and Great Britain, founded two sister societies based in the United Kingdom and Australia to recognise the value of a continuing cultural exchange between the two countries.Despite being founded by two former politicians, the societies are apolitical and non-commercial.

Aims

The aims of the Britain-Australia Society are to:
* strengthen existing friendship between Britain and Australia
* maintain links with Australia
* provide a point of contact for Australians visiting the United Kingdom
* promote educational exchanges
* arrange social events for members

Branches

Branches are maintained in Cambridgeshire, Suffolk, Norfolk, Leicestershire, Lincoln, Portsmouth and The West Country. Regional functions are held by these branches in addition to centrally-organised activities.

Events

Annual events normally include a Summer Reception at the House of Lords and a Garden Party at the residence of His Excellency the High Commissioner as well as tutored wine tastings, theatre evenings and cocktail parties.

BOSS

In order to attract more younger members a sub-committee called the Brit-Oz Social Set (BOSS) was formed with the task of organising informal and accessible events, for example a Routemaster bus tour of the Monopoly board.

Officers

The Patron of the Society is HRH The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh KG KT OM GBE AC QSO.

The President is The Rt Hon The Lord Carrington KG GCMG CH MC PC

Vice Presidents:
* HE Richard Alston The High Commissioner for Australia - Ex-Officio
* Sir Roger Carrick KCMG LVO
* Mr Rohan Courtney
* Mr Brian Harris
* Sir John Leahy KCMG
* The Viscount Slim OBE DL

Honorary Vice-Presidents:
* Sylvia, Countess of Limerick CBE
* Sir Charles Mackerras AC CBE
* Ms June Mendoza
* Mr Rupert Murdoch AC
* Sir John Swire CBE DL
* The Rt Hon Baroness Thatcher LG OM PC FRS
* Mr Barry Tuckwell OBE

Sponsors

As a non-profit society, administration and events are funded by subscriptions and corporate sponsors, including Australian Government agencies and businesses and organisations with an Australian interest in Britain.

Affiliates

* Three Charitable Trusts are maintained by the society:
** The Britain-Australia Society Educational Trust is a small Trust for educational purposes, contributing to expenses in Australia for young people on exchange and helping with projects in UK schools which increase knowledge of, or interest in Australia.
** The Northcote Trust funds graduate scholarships to Australia.
** The Sir Robert Menzies Memorial Trust funds scholarships in Law from Australia to Britain.
* The Cook Society was founded in 1969 on the initiative of Prime Ministers Sir Alec Douglas Home and Sir Robert Menzies, with the aim of promoting British-Australian relations at a high level. It has counterparts in all of the Australian States with which it is in constant touch. Membership of the Society in Britain is limited to 100, excluding Honorary members, and represents a wide range of national interests including senior business and professional people, politicians, civil servants and academics. Membership is by invitation only. The B-AS administers the Cook Society and shares some events.
* E-Pals is an initiative to bring pupils of British and Australian schools closer together.
* Australia-Britain Society members have reciprocal rights when in Britain.

External links

* [http://www.britoz.org Official site]
* [http://www.britain-australia.org.uk/corporatemembers.htm List of Sponsors]
* [http://www.aust-britsociety.org.au Australia-Britain Society]
* [http://www.menziesfoundation.org.au The Menzies Memorial Trust]