1939 Formation of the Hurstbridge branch of the ANA

11th August 1939

Australian Natives Association branch formation at Hurstbridge.

… Mr Keith Johnston, secretary

1st September 1939

Australian Natives Association branch formation at Hurstbridge.

… Senior vice president of the A.N.A. (Mr Hughes)

… Fairfield branch (Mr M O'Donnell)

… President (Mr K Johnston)

… Committee (C Rogers)

21st Birthday Party

55 guests helped Miss Ivy Hamer.

New A.N.A Branch STARTED AT HURSTBRIDGE

The Associstion has during the 67 years of it existence opened some 250 branches in both metropolitan and country districts. It has in the realm of the Friendly Society led the way both in progress of numbers snd finance, snd in the stability of its organisation. In the field of nationsl achievement also the A.N.A has done much to consolidate its position as leading national benefit society in Australia to-day. Its work for federstion is legend. Its past deeds have helped make Australian history, and still to-day it goes forward ever mindful of thr public need and ever ready to support a worthy objecy im the interests of Australia's nationhood. Its intrests, however, are not purely confined to the national sphere, nor to the limits of the provision of material benefits. Social, sporting and educational pursuits are the happy lot of its members, and its meetingsare designed to arouse intrest in the minds of both young and old. A society both non-sectarian and non-party, from from trammels of political influence, it can do and has done much good for the progress and betterment of the districts in which its influence id wielded. A cordial invitation is extended is extended to all readers to be present at the opening ceremony of the new Hurstbridge Branch of this orgnisation, and it is hoped that in a very short time the Hurstbridge A.N.A will be a power to be reckoned with its work for the greater prosperity and security of our peopld. Members of the Board will be present at the opening. The officers appointed at the preliminary meeting this week were: President Mr Keith Johnston: secretary, Mr. R. McLennsn: treasurer. Mr. R. C. Morgan. |

HURSTBRIDGE A.N.A BRANCH STARTED

The danger of allowing too many aliens into the country and the necessity for a more modern governmental consitution were points stressed by the Senior Vice-president of the Australian Natives' Association (Mr. H. G. Hughes) at the opening or the new branch of the A.N.A at Hurstbridge on Monday night. Mr. Hughes said that on several occasions recently when the A,N.A. had approached the government with thr reguest thst the number of aliens allowed into the county be limited, figured had been quoted showing that the foreign element was not large enough to cause any appreciable watering doen of racisl purity. However, one could not walk the length of Bourke St,. without being struck by the number of thr foreign faces to be seen. in addition, the canefields in Queensland (which were being operated almosg entirely by Southern Europeans) and the colonies at Shepparton and Werribee in Victoria, spoke for themselves. If these colonies were allowed to increase in size and multiply in number, a lowering of the standard of living snd social conditions was inevitable. Australia was in grave danger of becoming a polyglot nation, and of being faced with the ssmd problems as were confronting America at the present day. It was the duty of the A.N.A. to urge the government to place a strict quota limit on the number of alien immigrants. During the evening the charter to form s branch at Hurstbridge was handed to the President (Mr.K. Johnston) and the various officers were installed by the Senior Vice-president of the A.N.A. (Mr. Hughes), and the General Secretary (Mr. J. S. Parker) the accountant (Mr. D. North), the organiser of the Hurstbridge branch (Mr. R. Dodman), and Mr. M. O'Donnell (Fairfield Branch) who accompanied the party. The many benefits of the A.N.A. and the value of Friendly Societies and the social aims of the A.N.A. were explained by the Vice-president and the Genersl Secretary. The officers of the Hurstbridge Branch are : President. Mr. K. Johnston; vice-president, Mr. F. Collins; secretary, Cr. R. McLellan; minute secretary, Mr. J. Saville; tressurer, Mr. C. Morgan; committee, Messrs E.Saville, E. Wilson, C. Rogers; auditors, Messrs E. Goss and G. McLeod; trustees, Messrs W.Saville, W.Partis, C. Parks; press correspondent, Mr. F. Perversi. The occasion was the first on which Mr. Hughes has opened a branch. Toasts were later drunk at a supper in the hall.|

21st Birthday Party | Fifty-five guests helped Miss Ivy Hamer to celebrate her twenty-first birthday at a party given by her mother in thr Hurstbridge Hall last Saturday night. Through the courtesy of Mr. Leo. Ryder who supplied music by playing the piano, the revellers were able to spend most of the evening dancing, although they also indulged in a few novelty games. As. of course, they were all friends and had known each other for years, the party was most sociable. and the sprit of fun was well in evidence. All those who were present autographed a large key given to Miss Hamer by Mr. J. Peters and Mr. F. Needs (both friens of her brother Dennis). At supper time a large birthday cake, donated by Mrs.Hamer and Mr. Dennis Hamer, was cut and Mr. William Brown proposed the toast to Miss Hamer. Her father responded on her behalf and thankedthe guests for making the evening so enjoyable. Miss Hamer, who is well known in the district, received many beautiful presents. Later, Mrs. Hamer, with a proud smile, said that although this was the second coming-of-age party which she had given her children, she still had eleven more to organise. “Yes,” she said. “I have eleven more and i hope to live long enough to give them all a party. Dennis is next - in three years' time.” |