Cirrus@Austlit

'The Australian Natives Association (ANA) began in Melbourne in 1871 as a benefit or friendly society to encourage thrift and educational improvement among those born in Australia, “natives”. Non-sectarian and politically impartial, it later campaigned for political reform and patriotic causes ... ANA branches fervently supported federation...

‘As well as providing medical, hospital, funeral and sick pay benefits, the ANA took up issues including national parks, teaching Australian history in schools, water conservation, afforestation, protecting native fish and fauna, town planning, immigration control and campaigns to buy Australian goods. It opposed intermarriage between Australians and Germans on racial purity grounds during the First World War, and secession in the 1930s. Some branches held annual musical and literary competitions and Wattle Days...’

‘In 1952 the ANA overcame opposition to secure 26 January as the Australia Day holiday.’

Source: Petrow, Stefan. ‘Australian Natives Association.’ The Companion to Tasmanian History Centre for Tasmanian Historical Studies University of Tasmania 2006

Sighted: 09/10/2013