Good governance, forward thinking, and a commitment to nation over self: these are ideals that, throughout Australia’s golden age, were synonymous with both our national capital and the men who assembled there from across the continent as our elected federal representatives; and it was with these ideals firmly in mind that the men of the Australian Natives’ Association likewise assembled in Canberra recently for their sixth National Annual General Meeting and Convention.
These men, too, gathered from across the continent. The unprecedented expansion of the association across 2025-26 saw the incorporation of new branches in Sydney, Hobart, and Adelaide, all of which were well represented across the weekend. These in combination with representatives of the pre-existing Canberra Monaro, Victorian, and Brisbane branches, as well as associate members from such diverse regions as Far North Queensland, the Mid North Coast, and South Coast New South Wales, ensured this year’s event was truly national in scope and resulted in an attendance increase of more than 30 per cent on last year.
The weekend began with a social gathering on Friday evening that culminated in a poetry recital session. Alongside readings of the works of iconic bush bards such as Banjo Paterson, Henry Lawson, Barcroft Boake, Mary Gilmore, Adam Lindsay Gordon, and C.J. Dennis were original contributions from members extolling the virtues of various beers of the eastern seaboard (naturally, regional parochialism abounded).
Saturday morning saw attendees treated to a tour of some of the bush capital’s most significant sites. This provided an opportunity to absorb and admire the rich history and unique aesthetics – distinctly Australian yet unlike anywhere else in Australia thanks to Walter Burley Griffin’s visionary garden-city design – of our only fully planned city.
The afternoon was set aside for official business, which began with the presentation of the annual ANA awards. In addition to the Jules Archibald Award (for service to the advancement of Australian literature and culture), the Alfred Deakin Award (for service to the growth and advancement of the Association), and the William G. Spence Award (in recognition of public-facing advocacy), this year’s honours list included the inaugural Sir Granville Ryrie Award, named for the commander of the 2nd Light Horse and ANZAC Mounted Division during World War I and bestowed upon the member who best shows valour in the “trenches” of day-to-day work for the Association. This was followed by the appointment of the new national committee for 2026-27 and speeches on topics such as demographics and destiny, nativism and tradition, the implied right to political communication, and the importance of defending the legitimacy of our commonwealth.
For most in attendance, the remainder of the weekend was given over to more socialising, farewells, and departures. However, in the spirit of true leadership, the six branch governors forewent much of the revelry to discuss administrative matters and plan for the year ahead deep into the night; and members of the Victorian branch saw fit to extend their weekend and further indulge their patriotic sensibilities with pilgrimages to the famous Dog on the Tuckerbox monument near Gundagai and the site of Ned Kelly’s last stand in Glenrowan as part of their return journey along the Hume Highway.
Plans are underway for the 2027 event in Sydney, where it is anticipated yet more new branches will be welcomed for the first time. To enquire about joining your local ANA branch, starting a new branch in your region, or becoming an associate member, CLICK HERE.