4-5 November

National Convenor, Sarah Brasch, attended the third Republican Gathering held in Brisbane. Together with Judith Brooks from Victoria, Sarah presented a session on women and the development of the Republic in which it was argued that alternating women and men for head of state, set out in the Constitution so that it cannot be easily removed, would demonstrate a true commitment to equality in the new Republic. Sarah also spoke about her vision for The 2015 Republic, using the 100th anniversary of the landing at Gallipoli to create a model for a fair, just and protective Republic promising a new start for a united and inclusive Australian democracy (as opposed to a model just for selecting the head of state). Other sessions at the Gathering covered national days of celebration and symbols with a big emphasis on wattle; engaging people living in regional and rural areas as well as young people in the Republic; getting the States to become more republican and convincing politicians to promote the cause, especially those on the conservative side.