First, some announcements.
Sun Vessel, an Australian neo-folk musician with multiple You Tube videos, was declared the inaugural winner of BAC’s Alan Bouch Online Award. He will receive $1000 prize money, an Award certificate, complimentary associate membership for a year and the book New Britannia written by BAC member, the late Alan James. Read more here.
The Alan James BAC Advocacy Award is now open for nomination. “The award recognises outstanding service and advocacy by an individual on behalf of the Anglo-Australian community.” If you know such an individual, please let the Secretary know by e-mailing to secretary@britishaustraliancommunity.com.au.
ANOTHER ANGLO ANZAC DAY
BAC members attended the 25th April Anzac Day commemorations in many locations. Some laid wreaths with BAC markings.
Melbourne: A BAC member laid a wreath with the BAC insignia.
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Brisbane: The BAC Secretary, Harry Richardson, laid a wreath at a dawn service.
Singleton: Though a BAC wreath was not laid in Singleton, we had a presence. The Anzac memorial was well attended.
Central Coast: I laid a wreath for the BAC, wearing my father’s WWII medals.
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All reports indicate that the attendees were overwhelmingly Anglo-Australians. Might that be a general trend across the country? We need to await more observations.
In the meantime it is interesting to speculate. Anzac Day was initiated by returned servicemen and service women to mark the sacrifices made by their comrades at Gallipoli. The great majority of those soldiers were Anglos, a trend that continued through the Second World War, Korea, Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan. Still today, a disproportionate number of Defence Force personnel are British-Australians, to the chagrin of higher-ups.
If the trend is confirmed, I think it will say something about Anglo identification with Australia’s history. Australia is a pleasant place to be, but it is the nation-forming people who feel deepest attachment. That also says something about social cohesion.
I want to reiterate my last message, that BAC members should join their local RSL branch and get to know some of the member. These are serious people who generally feel an allegiance to traditional Australia.
Frank Salter