[Editor: This article, regarding Foundation Day (Australia Day), was published in The Advance Australia (Melbourne, Vic.), 14 February 1911. The Advance Australia was a publication of the Australian Natives’ Association.]
Foundation Day.
The Maryborough branch promoted a local function in commemoration of Foundation Day, and its importance and claims to recognition at the hands of all patriotic members of the Commonwealth were brought under the notice of the children attending the West and East Maryborough State schools. Speeches appropriate to the occasion were delivered by leading members of the A.N.A. At the East school the children, to the number of 400, were marshalled by the head teacher in hollow square formation in the school grounds, and sang the Australian Anthem and Rudyard Kipling’s “Recessional.”
Cr. Miners reminded the children of the significance of the day, which was the anniversary of the founding of Australia as a nation. Ten years ago Australia was disunited into different colonies; now it was a solid Commonwealth. He wanted them to grow up to be good citizens, to continue the expansion of Australia, and make it a country to be proud of for all time.
Mr. T. D. Seymour reminded the children that it was the boys and girls of to-day who had to control the future destinies of this great country, which he hoped would grow to be a great influence for good amongst the nations of the earth. One of the principal questions in connection with Federation was that of defence. Under the new compulsory military service boys would be compelled to devote part of their time in training for the defence of Australia. He did not want them to look forward to being sent far away to win glory on the battle-field, but rather to properly fitting themselves to effectually resist any attack that may be made on Australia in years to come.
At the West school, the president of the A.N.A., H. H. Twist, addressed the scholars on the great importance of the day, and traced the history of the Australian continent from the date of the first settlement in New South Wales, in 1788, when only 1030 persons comprised the total population of this vast continent. You cannot think too much of the sturdy pioneers who suffered terrible privations, dangers — aye, and sometimes death, for the land they loved so well — the land which we want you to love deeply. As soon as you boys are old enough to join the A.N.A. you would do well to help along and also be helped by this national Association.
Mr. Twist then called for three cheers for “Australia and Australian ideals,” and three cheers for the A.N.A.
Source:
The Advance Australia (Melbourne, Vic.), 14 February 1911, p. 30, columns 1-2
Editor’s notes:
A.N.A. = Australian Natives’ Association (a fraternal patriotic organisation and mutual society which was founded for the benefit of Australian-born white people; the organisation was originally established in April 1871 as the Victorian Natives’ Association, but in 1872 it extended its coverage to all of Australia)
See: “Australian Natives’ Association”, Wikipedia
aye = yes (may also be used to express agreement, assent, or the acceptance of an order)
Commonwealth = the Commonwealth of Australia; the Australian nation, federated on 1 January 1901
Cr. = an abbreviation of “Councillor”
Foundation Day = an earlier name for Australia Day, 26 January, which celebrates the anniversary of the foundation of the British colony at Sydney, New South Wales, in 1788 (the beginning of European settlement in Australia)
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