The Honest History team holds a one-day seminar in Canberra to mark 5 years in action. There were two bursts on the Republic. The first covered the present state of support in the country with a considerable pick-up noted among the 18-34s in discussion with the National Director of ARM while the afternoon session was devoted to examining whether 65,000 years of history could have significance for the constitutional change, most importantly whether the the myth of Anzac with its strong ties to serving the British monarchy is hindering progress towards a Republic. Most interesting were the comments made by former diplomat, Alison Broinowski, who noted that whenever Australia has had the opportunity to strike out and make independent foreign and defence policy since Federation, we have always chosen to stay firmly linked to a great power and the pattern is continuing today. This appears to have strong parallels with our reluctance to take the plunge on a Republic and fully sever constitutional ties with the British Crown.
Woman for an Australian Republic, Adelaide Ironside, republican poet and artist 1831-1867
Self portrait 1855, Newcastle Art Gallery NSW
