RCS WA June-July 2019

NEWSLETTER

THE ROYAL COMMONWEALTH SOCIETY

Western Australia Branch

Patrons; Office Bearers; The Ode; Our Pledge 2

President’s Message and Membership Card 3

Advance Notice of 66th AGM 2019 3

Commonwealth Walkway—News 4

Speech and Leadership Contest 2019 5

WA Day Parade and Flag Raising (Cont’d) 6

Young Fellows Committee 7

Notices & In the Diary 8

HAPPY BIRTHDAY WESTERN AUSTRALIA

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RCS WA June-July 2019

COMMONWEALTH PATRON

Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II

The Royal Commonwealth Society is an independent, non-sectarian, non-party organisation. Its objectives are to promote the increase and spread of knowledge

respecting the peoples and countries of the Commonwealth. The headquarters of the Society is in London, with Branches, Sub-Branches,

Honorary Representatives and Affiliated Organisations

THE ODE

“WE OF THE ROYAL

COMMONWEALTH SOCIETY

SHALL CONTINUE TO FOSTER

GOODWILL AND AFFECTION

BETWEEN PEOPLES OF

THE COMMONWEALTH SO

THAT ALL MAY LIVE TOGETHER

IN PEACE,

SYMPATHY AND

UNDERSTANDING”

- Major (Retired) Albert Owen Howes MBE JP

RCS Western Australia Branch Councillor 1967—1991

RCS WA PRESIDENT OF HONOUR

Mrs Joan Tonkin MBE, JP (Dec)

PATRON OF THE SOCIETY IN WA

His Excellency the Hon Kim Beazley AC

Governor of Western Australia

RCS WA BRANCH

President

Mr Terry Spiro MEM, B.Ed FIEAust

Vice President and Life VP

Mr Max Scott OAM

Councillors Mr Norman Paini

Mr Jeremy Chetty

Mr William Paparo

Mr Benjamin Caulfield

Ms Naomi Petering

Life Vice Presidents

Mr Ian Puttick

Young Fellows Committee

Chair: Mr Benjamin Caulfield

Deputy Chair: Ms Naomi Peter ing

Secretary: Ms Winifred Taylor -Williams

Mr Zachariah Coleman

Ms Rana Ibrahim

Ms Eliza Chaney

Mr Nandu Shibu

Ms Gia Kalimeris

RCS WA Education Committee

Executive Chair Mr Norman Luigi Paini, B.A, B.Ed MACE

Leadership Panel Chair: MAJOR (AAC) Bill Collidge RFD

RCS WA Commonwealth Walkway Committee

Chair: The Hon. Bar ry House AM

Secretary: Mr David Forster

Life Fellows

Sir William Heseltine GCB GCVO AC QSO

The Hon Dr Ken Michael AC Hon.FIEAust

The Hon Malcolm McCusker AC CVO QC

The Hon Michael Sutherland OAM

Mr Charles Burleigh

Mrs Carole Connolly

Mrs Dorothy Heel

Mrs Joyce Ikin

Mr Ronald Milton

Mr William Wilson MBE

Mrs Jennifer Wycherley

RCS WA BRANCH PATRON

Vice-Regal (Protocol)

The Hon Dr Ken Michael AC

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RCS WA June-July 2019

A Message From the Branch President

With the successful completion of the RCS Speech and Leadership Contest on 28 June 2019, see page 5, we have concluded the main events for 2019 and now looking forward to finalising our relocation which we trust will be finalised in the second half of 2019, and preparing for the move in mid 2020. However, the indications are that we may not be settled before Commonwealth Day and so we will have to proceed in satellite mode to be ready for 2020 events.

Our focus has been on finalising the new RCS WA Constitution 2019, requiring a major rewrite due to revision of the Associations Incorporation Act 1987, to now be the Associations Incorpo-ration Act 2015, increasing from 40 to 150 pages. So our 2006 Constitution has increased from 12 to 30 pages and is a different format document. I remain grateful to the members of Branch Council for the work they have done and the support given to get the new Constitution 2019 completed. Once Branch Council has signed off on the final draft, draft-6, I will then upload it onto the Associations website for review and approval.

Those of you on email will have received a copy of the Draft-6 of the new Constitution with an opportunity to comment. The final document will be shown to members at the AGM in Novem-ber 2019, see below, and hopefully reflect all the good work. However, I am confident we have it right and all members can receive a copy of the new Constitution on renewal in 2020. I also formally acknowledge the constructive comments from Mr Edwin Dell PSM and Dr Ben Spagnolo.

Included with this issue of the newsletter is your new membership Card and our apologies for the delayed arrival. Remember if you have not yet paid then it will not be possible for you to vote at the AGM in November 2019.

Life VP Max Scott OAM and current serving RCS WA Vice President continues to be a solid contributor and has been a guiding hand to the Young Fellows on Branch Council and also our principal proof reader for the Constitution update. In recognition of his generous donation towards prizes for the RCS Speech and Leadership Contest Branch Council has titled the Junior Division Leadership Prize for 2019 in his name. Thank You Max.

ADVANCE NOTICE OF 66th ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 2019

ADVANCE NOTICE is hereby given, in accordance with Rule 55 of the new RCS WA Constitution 2019 that the 66th Annual General Meeting of the Royal Commonwealth Society, WA Branch Inc. will be held on Thursday 21st November 2019, at 10.00 am in the Air Force Association Club, Bull Creek Drive, Bull Creek, followed by light refreshments.

The business of the Annual General Meeting shall be in accordance with Rule 53 of the new 2019 Constitution and include the following: Consideration, and if approved, adoption of the President’s Report, Financial Statements and

the Auditor’s Report for the preceding Financial Year. Election of Auditors and remuneration. Endorse the President as Representative to the Royal Commonwealth Society, London Election to Branch Council or Office Bearer. Nominations close 30 September 2019, Rule 33. Future directions and New Constitution for the WA Branch. General Business and other matters requiring resolution. For catering purposes we would appreciate if members notifying attendance by telephone or email and also should they not be available to attend and would like their apology registered. Terry Spiro MEM FIEAust, BRANCH PRESIDENT

RCS WA

LOYAL MEMBER

MEMBERSHIP

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RCS WA June-July 2019

COMMONWEALTH WALKWAY WESTERN AUSTRALIA—NEWS Starting with this edition page 4 of the RCSWA Newsletter will be devoted to providing everyone with the latest news and happenings for this important part of WA Heritage and RCS WA operations.

STOP PRESS—Ngalang Bidi (Wadjuk for ‘our path’) - an important part of Aborigi-nal Wadjuk Western Australian significance is now (prominently) in London outside Australia House the only one in the world outside of this country. Members and Friends - an historic moment … Monday 22 July 2019. Ngalang Bidi - an important part of Aboriginal Wadjuk Western Australian signifi-cance and language is now (prominently) in London outside Australia House … the only one in the world outside of this country

The next stage will be a formal (possibly attended by a Royal) ceremony before the end of this year to add an Interpretive Panel with suitable design – probably sponsored to mark this part of the Commonwealth Walkway – where High Commissions and Embassies of Commonwealth countries have their offices and display that country’s markers …Congratulations to all – especially the Trustees and Key Staff of the Com-monwealth Walkway Trust – and appreciation to Dr Noel Nannup OAM for his guidance to achieve this and other milestones along the path.

MARKER SUMMARY , MID 2019, THE COMMONWEALTH WALKWAY—WESTERN AUSTRALIA

The Commonwealth Walkway WA … an opportunity to walk and learn together for locals and visitors on the shared landscape of the Wadjuk-Aboriginal people with those from more recent migrant cultures and religions along ngalang bidi (our path). Take a safe, marked walk/cycle/ ‘pram’ or wheelchair around the beautiful City of Perth where the north-ern bank of beautiful derbal yerrigan (the Swan River) borders one side of the walkway to the South and East. There are 28 markers along the way (bronze alloy) which depict Her Majesty’s Royal Cypher (EIIR) and the words (traditionally spoken not written) ‘ngalang bidi’ from the Wadjuk dialect of the Noongar Aboriginal people who have lived in the area from 2000 generations ago. The ‘high path’ section of ngalang bidi takes in the Kings Park site with additional precinct markers at Parliament House, Old Observatory, Constitution Centre, Forrest House and the Edith Cowan Statue and can be accessed by free Central Area Transport (CAT) buses from the centre of the city or one sector rides on other Public Transport Authority (PTA) buses. Full amenities, with playgrounds for children and universal access toilets, plus excellent cafes, restaurants for a digitally/or map-supported active learning experience are available. A few bus stops down the hill from Kings Park in St George’s Terrace is Government House, residence of the Governor of Western Australia where people often start their walkway journey. Many then head down to the Ritz Carlton/Elizabeth Quay area to board one of the Sealink vessels MV James Stirling or MV Quokka both of which have a marker aboard as the only ‘floating’ markers on such walkways in the world. A river journey to the Indian Ocean at Fremantle continues the themes of the 60 000-year-old stories and history of Aboriginal families and individuals as well as those of other families and individuals migrating from about 200 years ago. A marker on Fremantle Harbour symbolizes the connection to the ‘Walk with the Royals’ 1. Marker Site – Government House - 1.B Perth Town Hall, 1.C Stirling Gardens, 1.D Council House, 1.E St George's Cathedral, 1.F St Mary’s Catholic Cathedral. 2. Marker Site – Cultural Centre, 2.A The Cultural Centre, 2.B New WA Museum, 2.C Art Gallery of WA, 2.D Yagan Square, 2.E Central Railway Station, 2.F Horseshoe Bridge 3. Marker Site – Kings Park (Fraser Avenue), 3.A Kings Park, 3.B Old Observatory, 3.C Forrest House, 3.D Edith Cowan Statue, 3.E Constitution Centre (as Hale School to 1997) 4. Marker Site – Parliament House, 4.A Parliament House, 4.B Old Observatory, 4.C Forrest House, 4.D Edith Cowan Statue 5. Marker Site – Matagarup Bridge, 5.A Matagarup Bridge, 5.B Causeway, 5.C Queens Gardens, 5.D Perth Mint, 5.E Swan River Bank (‘Derbal Yerrigan’), 5.F Langley Park 6. Marker Site Ritz Carlton – 6.A Elizabeth Quay, 6.B Barrack Square, 6.C Old Brewery, 6.D Narrows Bridge. (Article Courtesy of Commonwealth Walkway Western Australia Committee—David Forster, Secretary)

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RCS WA June-July 2019

RCS SPEECH AND LEADERSHIP CONTEST 2019 The Western Australian Constitutional Centre in Parliament Place, West Perth, was again the venue for this very important and milestone event in the RCSWA Calendar, offered without exception to all West Australian school students in two divisions Junior and Senior. All entrants in the RCS Speech and Leadership Contest are encouraged to participate in the Leadership Forum provided at no cost by the RCS WA, also held at the WA Constitutional Centre, prior to the Contest, as it is considered to be good preparation for the leadership assessment, which carries equal marks.

SENIOR DIVISION (Years 10 and 11) Once again this year the standard was excellent with Ms Eliza Chaney from Iona Presentation College the Winner of the Hon Dr Ken Michael AC Speech Prize and Mr Aadil Dudia from, the Australian Islamic School, the Winner of the Hon Michael Suth-erland OAM, Leadership Prize. This year’s result was as close to a dead heat as it could be.

The photo shows Eliza and Aadil standing in front of the RCS Banner with Dr Michael on their left and President Terry Spiro on their right. At far right is LEUT (ANC) John Ashworth and Mr Thomas Paparo and at far left Mr Lincoln George—Department of Communities; Girl Guides State Commissioner Linda Elezovich; and Mr Norman Paini, Executive Chair of the RCSWA Education Committee; who all presided as adjudicators for the Contest.

JUNIOR DIVISION (Years 9 and 10) The photo shows RCS President Mr Terry Spiro at far left, then left to right are the Winner Mr Abdulallh Al Nour, and finalists Ms Brianna Snel, Ms Salma Samatar, Acting Senior Sergeant Chelsea Trent, with Dr Ken Michael at far right. The Winner of the Hon Dr Ken Michael AC Speech Prize and the Mr Maxwell Scott OAM Leadership Prize is Mr Abdulallh Al Nour from the Australian Islamic School.

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE HONOURABLE MICHAEL SUTHERLAND, OAM

RCS WA Life Fellow, the Hon. Michael Sutherland OAM, former Deputy Lord Mayor of City of Perth, Mt Lawley MLA and Speaker for the WA Legislative Assembly has been recognised for his service to WA in the 2019 Queen’s Birthday Honours with a Medal of the Order of Australia.

Michael is a keen supporter of our young fellows and this year made a generous donation to the Speech and Leadership Contest Prizes and in recognition Branch Council titled the Senior Division Leadership Prize in his name. Thank You Michael

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RCS WA June-July 2019

WA DAY PARADE AND FLAG RAISING (CONT’D )

On Saturday 1st June 2019 the Royal Commonwealth Society Western Australia Branch held it’s annual WA Day Parade and Flag Raising Ceremony at Government House with contingents from Cadets WA, supported by the WA Department of Communities, providing the participants for the parade, under the watchful eye of MAJOR (AAC) Bill Collidge RFD, Parade Coordinator.

The Governor was moved by the scale of the parade and the number of young people represent-ing metropolitan and regional centres across Western Australia, from Rockingham to Jurien Bay, that he requested a photo, see front page, to commemorate the occasion.

Our thanks to RAAF Pearce, No.2 Flying Training School for the PC-9 Diamond Formation flypast, which was on time and at the regulation height, but superimposed for the picture on page 1.

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RCS WA June-July 2019

RCS WA YOUNG FELLOWS COMMITTEE 2019

As President I am delighted to introduce to RCS WA the new Chair of the YFC Mr Benjamin Caulfield at far right in the photo, Ms Winifred Taylor-Williams, YFC Secretary, and Mr Zac Coleman at far left. Not in this photo, but can be seen on page 5, is the Deputy Chair Ms Naomi Petering.

In the centre of the photo are President Terry Spiro and Life Fellow and Branch Returning Officer Mr W. (Bill) Wilson MBE.

These young people continue to volunteer their time to RCS WA because of the opportunities we provide for them to progress their careers in directions that may, or probably may not, be available to them through the traditional secondary education.

Participating in the RCS Speech and Leadership Contest not only creates a sense of having to prepare and be ready for many things they will be required to do in life, but also provides the public forums, such as Commonwealth Day and Western Australia Day, see page 6, to put these skills into practice at venues like Government House and the WA Constitutional Centre in front of present and former senior members of Government and the community.

The challenge for RCSW WA is to recognise these young people are on a journey and are only available to us, first time around, for two to three years and then their careers take them away from us and we start the process all over again. The benefit for RCS WA is found when, those like William Paparo—Branch Council Finance Officer and Gia Kalimeris—RCS Facebook Coordinator, return to join us to put back into The Society what they believe they have gained during their earlier journey. That is a Win-Win situation for their future and RCS WA.

MEMBERS OF THE COMMONWEALTH

These Countries are members of the Commonwealth in order of seniority of membership:

1.United Kingdom, 2.Canada, 3.Australia, 4.New Zealand, 5.South Africa, 6.India, 7.Pakistan, 8.Sri Lanka, 9.Ghana, 10.Malaysia, 11.Nigeria, 12.Cyprus, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, Jamaica, Trinidad & Tobago, Uganda, Kenya, Malawi, Malta, Zambia, The Gambia, Singapore, Guyana, Botswana, Lesotho, Barbados, Nauru, Mauritius, Swazi-land, Tonga, Samoa, Fiji Islands, Bangladesh, The Bahamas, Grenada, Papua New Guinea, Seychelles, Solomon Islands, Tuvalu, Dominica, St Lucia, Kiribati, St Vincent & The Grenadines, Vanuatu, Belize, Antigua & Barbuda, Maldives, St Christopher & Nevis, Brunei Darussalam, Namibia, Cameroon, Mozambique, Rwanda.

These diverse nations representing one quarter of the world’s population over every continent, include Republics, National Monarchies and a number of Nations that rec-ognise Queen Elizabeth II as their own Head of State.

STOP PRESS—RCS WA YFC Chair Benjamin Caulfield has negotiated for the YFC Committee to meet with The Governor of WA to talk about the challenges for youth and to gain a deeper un-derstanding of the principles of active citizenship both within Australia and Globally. As many of you know The Governor served as Ambassador to the United States and has some interesting and worthwhile observations relating to American and Australian youth.

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RCS WA June-July 2019

THE ROYAL COMMONWEALTH SOCIETY WESTERN AUSTRALIA BRANCH (Inc.) RETURN MAIL:

Royal Commonwealth Society, WA Branch

c/o Post Office Box 3555

EAST PERTH WA 6892

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Membership Fees and donations can now be made directly into our RCS Bankwest Account, the details are as below, if you have any queries do not hesitate to contact us:

Account Name: Royal Commonwealth Society Western Australian Branch Inc. BSB: 306-044 Account No: 527294-7

Please remember to put your “Name” and “Membership Number” in the ‘Reference Line’ so we know who the deposit or payment is from so we can forward your receipt.

October Saturday, 12th 3.30 pm RCS WA Branch Council Meeting Meg Olive Room AFA

October Wednesday 11.00am Invited Young Fellows Meet The Governor Government House

November Thursday 21st 10.00am RCSWA Annual General Meeting Air Force Association Club

November Thursday, 21st 12 noon RCSWA Members Light Refreshments Air Force Association Club

Mobile: 0413 006 063 Email: admin@rcswa.org Website: www.rcswa.org (The New Website is now Live)

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Postal Address:

The Royal Commonwealth Society Western Australia Branch (Inc) c/o Post Office Box 3555 EAST PERTH WA 6892

Our Thanks to Ben Morton MP, Member for Tangney, for his support of the youth initiatives conducted by the Western Australia Branch

We are pleased to acknowledge this newsletter is printed by the office of Ben Morton MP.