Royal Over-seas League - Victorian Branch

The ROYAL OVER-SEAS LEAGUE VICTORIAN BRANCH (ROSL) is an organisation which - in its own words - "was set up to bring together like-minded people, to foster friendship and understanding between Commonwealth peoples of different cultures and nationalities and to work for the good of humanity at large. ROSL in Victoria boasts a wide cross-section of society and all ages."

The Royal Over-Seas League was founded in 1910 by Sir Evelyn Wrench to foster international friendship and understanding. ROSL operates under Royal Charter and ‘aims at promoting an enduring multi-racial fellowship pledged to the support of the Commonwealth and to the service of others and humanity at large’. It is required to encourage the arts, particularly among the young people of the Commonwealth.


ROSL seeks to fulfil its aims by:

•Supporting Commonwealth ideals

•Offering clubhouse hospitality to member

•Organising annual competitions for young artists and musicians

•Developing joint welfare projects for disadvantaged communities

•Providing a network of contact and representatives around the world.

ROSL has members throughout the world. There are branches or member groups in Australia, Canada, Hong Kong, New Zealand and Switzerland.

League events are neither formal nor obligatory, but rather of a social nature and focus on a broad range of interests. These include theatre parties, celebratory dinners, receptions and musical events organised throughout the year.

Patron

HM The Queen

Vice-Patron

HRH Princess Alexandra KG GCVO

Patron Australia

The Governor-General of Australia

Patron Victoria

The Governor

Chairman Australia & President Victoria

Jason Ronald OAM

 

QUEEN’S BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION

Wednesday 5 June 2013

LUNCHEON

12 noon for 12.30pm

ESU House, 146 West Toorak Road, South Yarra

Sunday 9 June 2013

A Service will be held at 10.00am at St. George’s Anglican Church, 296 Glenferrie Road, Malvern

followed by morning tea with the congregation.

Guest Speaker to be announced

For event details please contact Miss Julie Sattler OAM, 1 / 50 Sutherland Road, Armadale 3143, Telephone: 9500 1947

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The Queen’s 2012 Christmas Message in Australia

"This past year has been one of great celebration for many. The enthusiasm which greeted the Diamond Jubilee was, of course, especially memorable for me and my family.

"It was humbling that so many chose to mark the anniversary of a duty which passed to me 60 years ago. People of all ages took the trouble to take part in various ways and in many nations. But perhaps most striking of all was to witness the strength of fellowship and friendship among those who had gathered together on these occasions.

"Prince Philip and I were joined by our family on the River Thames as we paid tribute to those who have shaped the United Kingdom's past and future as a maritime nation, and welcomed a wonderful array of craft, large and small, from across the Commonwealth.

"On the barges and the bridges and the banks of the river there were people who had taken their places to cheer through the mist, undaunted by the rain. That day there was a tremendous sense of common determination to celebrate, triumphing over the elements.

"That same spirit was also in evidence from the moment the Olympic flame arrived on these shores. The flame itself drew hundreds and thousands of people on its journey around the British Isles, and was carried by every kind of deserving individual, many nominated for their own extraordinary service.

"As London hosted a splendid summer of sport, all those who saw the achievement and courage at the Olympic and Paralympic Games were further inspired by the skill, dedication, training and teamwork of our athletes. In pursuing their own sporting goals, they gave the rest of us the opportunity to share something of the excitement and drama.

"We were reminded, too, that the success of these great festivals depended to an enormous degree upon the dedication and effort of an army of volunteers. Those public-spirited people came forward in the great tradition of all those who devote themselves to keeping others safe, supported and comforted.

"For many, Christmas is also a time for coming together. But for others, service will come first. Those serving in our armed forces, in our emergency services and in our hospitals, whose sense of duty takes them away from family and friends, will be missing those they love.

"And those who have lost loved ones may find this day especially full of memories. That's why it's important at this time of year to reach out beyond our familiar relationships to think of those who are on their own.

"At Christmas I am always struck by how the spirit of togetherness lies also at the heart of the Christmas story. A young mother and a dutiful father with their baby were joined by poor shepherds and visitors from afar. They came with their gifts to worship the Christ child. From that day on he has inspired people to commit themselves to the best interests of others.

"This is the time of year when we remember that God sent his only son 'to serve, not to be served'. He restored love and service to the centre of our lives in the person of Jesus Christ.

"It is my prayer this Christmas Day that his example and teaching will continue to bring people together to give the best of themselves in the service of others.

"The carol, In The Bleak Midwinter, ends by asking a question of all of us who know the Christmas story, of how God gave himself to us in humble service: 'What can I give him, poor as I am? If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb; if I were a wise man, I would do my part'. The carol gives the answer 'Yet what I can I give him - give my heart'.

"I wish you all a very happy Christmas."



The Queen’s Christmas message was broadcast in Australia on Tuesday 25th December as follows:

NEW SOUTH WALES & VICTORIA:

7TWO - 5.45 pm - 5.59 pm

ABC - 6.52 pm - 6.59 pm

ABC NEWS 24 - 8.24 pm - 8.31 pm

CHANNEL NINE - 11.55 pm - 12.04 am


NORTHERN TERRITORY:

7TWO - 5.45 pm - 5.59 pm

ABC - 6.52 pm - 6.59 pm

ABC NEWS 24 - 6.54 pm - 7.01 pm

CHANNEL NINE - 11.55 pm - 12.04 am


QUEENSLAND:

7TWO - 5.45 pm - 5.59 pm

ABC - 6.52 pm - 6.59 pm

ABC NEWS 24 - 7.24 pm - 7.31 pm

CHANNEL NINE - 11.55 pm - 12.04 am


SOUTH AUSTRALIA:

7TWO - 5.45 pm - 5.59 pm

ABC - 6.52 pm - 6.59 pm

ABC NEWS 24 - 7.54 pm - 8.01 pm

CHANNEL NINE - 11.55 pm - 12.04 am


TASMANIA:

7TWO - 5.45 pm - 5.59 pm

ABC - 6.52 pm - 6.59 pm

ABC NEWS 24 - 8.24 pm - 8.31 pm

WIN - 11.55 pm - 12.04 am


WESTERN AUSTRALIA:

ABC NEWS 24 - 5.24 pm - 5.31 pm

7TWO - 5.45 pm - 5.59 pm

ABC - 6.52 pm - 6.59 pm

CHANNEL NINE - 11.55 pm - 12.04 am

In the UK The Queen's Christmas message is to be screened in 3D and HD for the first time. The traditional broadcast will go hi-tech to allow viewers to scrutinise the Queen as never before in her Diamond Jubilee year.

However, viewers will also be able to see the 86-year-old monarch in normal definition during the speech, which will be broadcast at 3pm on Christmas Day.

The Queen has watched her 3D Christmas message, produced this year by Sky News, and enjoyed the experience.

A Buckingham Palace spokeswoman said the monarch thought the broadcast was 'absolutely lovely'. She added: 'We wanted to do something a bit different and special in this Jubilee year, so doing it for the first time in 3D seemed a good thing, technology wise, to do. The Queen absolutely agreed straight away there was no need for convincing at all, she was absolutely ready to embrace something new in this year.'

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Prince Charles in Melbourne

His Royal Highness Prince Charles, The Prince of Wales, had his first encounter with Melburnians on this tour. This morning he visited the Australian Tapestry Workshop in South Melbourne and a fairly large crowd welcomed him, a well-orchestrated choir sang "We love you" and it seemed: They really meant it.

His Royal Highness received several bouquets of flowers and on his way inside chatted with bystanders.

The media scrum waiting for HRH's arrival.

Even when meeting royalty, Australians are casual.

Victorian Premier Ted Ballieu and his wife welcomed Prince Charles at the Australian Tapestry Workshop.

During the visit The Prince met children working on a joint project between the Australian Tapestry Workshop and his Prince's School of Traditional Arts.

His Royal Highness sat down amongst the local youngsters who had made a large geometric piece of artwork and spent a few minutes listening to them explain how they produced their work.

Find the prince... He is in there, somewhere!


Before leaving Prince Charles crossed the street to chat once again with members of the crowd.

Here's a report from Neville. He gave permission to post it.
Many thanks, Neville, and great you had a wonderful time in South Melbourne.

"After a humid, restless night of little sleep (thanks in no small part to my dog Bert snoring loud enough to wake the dead), I got up feeling tired and fractious. It was not hot this morning, just overcast and muggy. I decided to take Bert with me as he enjoys a good outing. So we got the train into Spencer Street and walked to South Melbourne, arriving with about an hour to spare before the Prince arrived. There were already people milling about, along with media crews and several Victoria Police officers. Bert and I settled down and I started to play "spot the undercover detective": it was not very difficult as they are pretty obvious. Eventually is was time to claim a position, and we got quite close to the front. There were lots of other dogs (some mutt in the front row got all the attention, but it was nowhere near as cute as my Bert). Soon enough there was a roar of motorcycles as the Victoria Police motorcycle squad arrived. Don't get me wrong, I think motorcycle outriders are a great way to escort a royal guest, but a dozen of them? No matter, before we knew it the Prince of Wales had arrived. There was a Christian group who started a chant of "we love you", complete with hand actions. I don't think the Prince quite knew what to make of them. The Prince made his way into the Australian Tapestry Workshop (stopping to pat the aforementioned mutt). I held Bert up for a look (he can be seen in some of the news reports, with his tongue hanging out), and he snorted and sneezed, all over the shoulder of a young man in front of me.

"Once he was inside we made our way around the corner to where the Prince would depart. We got a good spot in the front row next to the car. I don't think the officials had expected such a large crowd and I noticed the police were in a little huddle discussing what to do. Then, to my disappointment, we were all told to go out onto the street. I did not move fast enough and ended up about ten metres away from the car. Then, with perfect timing, it started to rain. All these fair weather royalists ran for cover (I just want to say that I consider such actions unspeakably soft: a little bit of rain never hurt anyone). Giant gaps appeared along the road and Bert and I made our move. We nabbed a perfect position just opposite the royal car. There was no guarantee that the Prince would do a walkabout, particularly as it was now raining, but I was still happy to get a good view to wave goodbye. Before long the Premier of Victoria appeared at the door, so we knew the Prince would be out in a moment. An officious woman from Government House (who earlier was most unfriendly when I asked her from where the car would depart) unfurled the Prince of Wales standard on the front of the car. A woman, about two metres away from me, started yelling "CHARLES, COME OVER HERE", and, to my surprise, it seemed to work (probably helped by the rain stopping).

Bert, the media star dog.

"The Prince headed over to meet the crowd. He looked very tired, but was in good form chatting and laughing with everyone. He was wearing his remembrance poppy, and the lapel pin of a Knight of the Order of Australia. A woman told him how much she admires the work he has done at Poundbury and he seemed genuinely pleased. He stopped in front of me and shook my hand. "Welcome back to Melbourne, Your Royal Highness" I said. He looked at my backpack, and the chap behind me who also wore a backpack, and asked; "Are you cyclists? You're all carry those great big things on your backs". I told him I use mine to hold my dog's water and water bowl. He looked down at Bert and I said "this is Bert, Sir", "Bert?" he replied (at this stage Bert, not very impressed, was standing with his bum pointed at the Prince". The Prince then said "one of these days one of them is going to take off my hand." I reassured him that Bert was more likely to lick off his hand. He then moved on, and a young man behind me, holding up a copy of a book on the restoration of Dumfries House, congratulated him on all he had done for the house. The Prince looked really chuffed.

"Then it was all over. The motorcycles were revving up, the car had crawled to the corner, and the officials were winding things up. The Prince got into the car and headed off for his next engagement at the MCG. Bert and I headed back to Spencer Street, stopping at a little park for Bert to prepare himself for the train trip home. I turned my back for a couple of seconds, and Bert went straight into the Yarra River. It is a little known fact that French Bulldogs cannot swim; they are top heavy and sink like a stone. I had images of having dive in to rescue him. But luckily he kept his foothold and came out when I called him. So all in all it was a very eventful morning. Bert is now sound asleep, oblivious to the fact that he has already appeared in a couple of news bulletins."

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Meet the Royal Couple in Victoria

TUESDAY 6th NOVEMBER 2012

MELBOURNE

10.40 am HisRH arrives at the Australian Tapestry Workshop (an opportunity to join the Radical Royalist there to welcome Prince Charles in Victoria)

11.20 am HisRH arrives at Melbourne Cricket Ground

1.30 pm TRHs arrive at Gate 32 at Flemington Racecourse and drive down the straight to the Clocktower and mounting yard

3.15 pm HerRH will present the Melbourne Cup Trophy to winning owners

4.05 pm HisRH will present the Diamond Jubilee Plate to winning owners

HerRH will present the Diamond Jubilee Plate to the winning trainer

Stay at Government House, Melbourne overnight


WEDNESDAY 7th NOVEMBER 2012

10.00 am HerRH will attend a reception hosted by Mrs Elizabeth Chernov for Osteoporosis Australia at the Private Drawing Room of Government House

10.05 am HisRH will arrive at the National Gallery of Victoria

11.05 am TRHs will arrive at Victorian College of the Arts Secondary School

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The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall will soon be in Australia

The previous Victorian government had predicted the presence of Queen Elizabeth II, Queen of Australia, at the Melbourne Cup: On 2nd February 2010 Victorian Racing Minister Rob Hulls, told the public that the Queen had been invited to attend Australia's premier horse race.

"I know that the Queen is a great racing fan, and I honestly don't know whether or not she has any plans to come here," he told reporters. It was “up to her” if she wanted to attend the 150th Melbourne Cup he stumbled into the TV cameras.

As it turned out, the Queen did not visit Melbourne in 2010, but one year later. However, the Melbourne Cup is on the mind of our Royal Family and in 2012 The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall are expected to be in Australia in early November. Their Royal Highnesses have been deputised to represent The Queen and that their visit will be a continuation of the Diamond Jubilee celebrations in Australia.

This week, The Age published the news Charles and Camilla tipped for Melbourne Cup. “Prince Charles and his wife, Camilla, may outshine all the other celebrities at this year's Melbourne Cup, if speculation is correct that their Australian visit will include a day at the races.”

It would be Prince Charles' second time at the Melbour-ne Cup, after his trip to Fleming-ton with Princess Diana in 1985. If the royal couple do grace Flemington on Tuesday, 6th November, they will certainly be the highest profile guests at the spring racing carnival. So far the sponsors have yet to announce their international celebrity guests but it was already announced that actress Mischa Barton will be a Cup guest. Mischa who?, you may ask. The Royal guests would draw world-wide attention to Australia’s most important race.

The Melbourne Cup has been Australia's major Thoroughbred horse race since it was started in 1861. It is marketed as "the race that stops a nation" and held on the first Tuesday in November, which is a public holiday in Victoria.

The 2012 Melbourne Cup Field will be announced on the Saturday before the race, 3rd November 2012.

The Melbourne Cup 2012 field of 24 horses will feature some of the best staying horses from around the world. 2011 Melbourne Cup winner Dunaden is already in the running to defend their title in the Melbourne Cup 2012.

For the latest information see 2012 Melbourne Cup Field.

On the first visit of a reigning Australian Monarch the Queen and Prince Philip attended the Melbourne Cup in 1954.

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Beginning of Diamond Jubilee Celebrations in Australia

At St John's Anglican Church, Toorak, Melbourne, a service to celebrate the Diamond Jubilee of Her Majesty the Queen and the Feast Day of St George the Martyr, patron saint of Engalnd, was held on Sunday 22nd April 2012.

The Governor of Victoria, H.E.  Alex Chernov AC QC, and Mrs Chernov attended the St George’s Day Service at St John’s Toorak for the Diamond Jubilee of Her Majesty The Queen.

The church service in Victoria took place one day after Her Majesty's 86th birthday.
 

(By coincidence, this is the 500th posting on this blog. Quite apprepriate for a message announcing Her Majesty's Diamon Jubilee celebrations in Australia.)

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Victoria needs more pomp and circumstance rather than blandness

The Age’s and The Sunday Age’s dislike for anything royal is well-known. But this Sunday’s attack takes it to a new level. In today's editorial Return to vice-regal pomp risks alienating Victorians The Sunday Age ridiculously praises governors who breached their Oath of Allegiance by “proposing changes to the constitution that would remove references to the monarchy to allow a transition to a republic”. It might be added doing so without any reference to the people.

Too much pomp? Governor de Kretser inspecting a guard of the Royal Australian Navy.

What was Governor Alex Chernov’s crime according to The Sunday Age?

“Mr Chernov wants functions at Government House to be run on a 'non-commercial basis'. Yet at the fashion festival launch, he acknowledged the festival was 'a significant major event' and one of the 'world's leading events of its kind'. It is also an important part of the economy, and subsidised by taxpayers - as is the Governor himself while he holds the office and lives in his elegant residence with its landscaped gardens. (At the fashion party, Mr Chernov invited guests to inspect some of the rooms.)”

For The Sunday Age only a republican governor is a good governor. But the editorialist goes further by deciding what is relevant to Victorians and what is not. It’s in the same logic that s/he determines: “They [vice-regal appointments] exist for historic and legal reasons but also represent a world view and system of government that is no longer relevant to many Australians.” By the term “to many Australians” it is clear, that the opposite is equally true: To many Australians vice-regal appointments are a significant part of the political structure for the state and the federation itself. While the Monarch is absent, the Governors(-General) represent the crown. It is highly bizarre that the Fairfax editorialist expects them to act as promoters of republicanism.

Significantly The Sunday Age’s agitation led nowhere. When checking the editorial on-line, the RadicalRoyalist was the only one reading it. Doesn’t say that all about The Sunday Age's relevance?

Swearing-in ceremony of Victoria's 28th Governor

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January saw another royal visit to Melbourne

Thanks to a francophone website, the RadicalRoyalist learned of a visit of HRH The Duke of Kent KG GCMG GCVO to Melbourne.

The visit was mentioned on Government House's vice regal notes:

Friday, 27th January 2012
HRH The Duke of Kent KG GCMG GCVO, arrived to stay at Government House. The Governor, Alex Chernov AC QC, received HRH The Duke of Kent.

The Governor and Mrs Chernov dined with HRH The Duke of Kent

Monday, 30th January 2012
HRH The Duke of Kent departed Government House.

He came to Melbourne in his capacity as Patron of the Royal Institute of Australia, as President of the All England Tennis and Croquet Club, home of the Wimbledon tennis championships, and as President of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.

The Duke has been involved in the development and communication of science and innovation over a long period, both as President of the UK’s oldest centre of science communication The Royal Institution and in supporting innovation in particular its contribution to economic growth. There have been a number of examples of recent joint success in both Great Britain and Victoria, notably in Melbourne.

At a lunch, organised by the Australian British Chamber of Commerce, His Royal Highness gave a talk on his experience in science communication and innovation.

This royal visit escaped our attention since The Age stopped publishing vice-regal notes last April. When questioned on the reasons for the discontinued publication this reply was sent:

In all honesty, I don't know why we no longer publish vice-regal. I would assume it's do with the limited space in the paper, as opposed to the unlimited space available on the internet, but that's just an educated guess. I will, however, ask around, and if anyone can tell me definitively I'll let you know.

A second mail never arrived.

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Rob Hulls resigns from politics - and about time, too

The Deputy Opposition Leader in the Victorian Parliament, Rob Hulls, today announced his resignation after more than 15 years in State Parliament. He served in Her Majesty's Victorian governments as attorney-general and has been in the position of Deputy Opposition Leader and education spokesman since Labor lost power in November 2010.

As fierce republican he did everything to damage the position of the Monarchy in Victoria and beyond. See:

- The Crown vs. The DPP

- Creeping republicanism

- "Rabid Monarchists"

- "The proposition by Mr Hulls is an affront in itself"

His retirement (to a lucrative position on a bank board like other ex-politicians?) is more than welcome news.

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Victoria's new Governor was sworn-in

"Ladies and Gentlemen. His Excellency, the Governor, has assumed office."

The Age could not help being cheeky in its report on the inauguration of The Queen’s new representative in Victoria, Alex Chernov: “[He] was sworn in as the state's 28th Governor with all the formality that monarchists would require for such an occasion.” Indeed they do!

Channel Ten was more solemn on this occasion and broadcast Victorian Premier Ted Baillieu’s remark on the Constitutional Monarchy which the Governor represents: “[...] because it reminds us all that the head of our government of state has an independent and respected arbiter who will act without fear or favour.” It goes without saying that ABC Victoria did not include this sentence in its reporting. Unlike the public broadcaster, Channel Ten also included the oath of Allegiance of the new Governor:



And the full Oath of Allegiance can be heard in this video:



Alex Chernov, AO, QC was born in Lithuania in 1938 to Russian parents. His grandfather had held a post there in the imperial administration. But when the Russian revolution came he returned to Russia to become a minister with the white administration, which had monarchist associations and was opposed by the Red Army.

Chernov's grandfather was eventually captured and murdered by the reds, so his grandmother returned to Lithuania. The sanctuary there was shattered when the Soviets moved in in 1940.

"Because of our association with the white government, our family was on what I call the hit list of the communist government. And when the Red Army marched into Lithuania, my family scrambled out and kept going south until they came to Australia," he said.

But his father never made it to safety. Like his father before him, he was murdered by the Red Army.

The family settled in Salzburg for four years, knowing they were safe from the Red Army as the city was in American hands following World War II. When he arrived in Australia as a postwar migrant in 1949 at the age of ten he couldn't speak a word of English.

Alex Chernov was created an Officer of the Order of Australia in the 2007 Queen's birthday honours list for service to the law and education. After the Queen appointed him Governor he told The Age: "We live under the constitutional monarchy at the moment. That's the basis on which I was appointed. I'm happy to continue in that role."

In 59 seconds historian Dr Ray Wright explains the Westminster System in the following video . He was Usher of the Black Rod of the Victorian Parliament from 2000 to 2005:

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On 5th April 2011 the Australia Post issued this year's stamps to commemorate the Australian Queen's 85th birthday.

Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, Queen of Australia, celebrates her 85th birthday in 2011. Among the many artists who have painted Her Majesty’s portrait are Australians Brian Dunlop and Rolf Harris. The Queen sat for Brian Dunlop at Buckingham Palace to commemorate the sesquicentenary of the State of Victoria in 1984. Artist and entertainer Rolf Harris’ affectionate portrait was painted as a celebration of the Queen’s 80th birthday in 2006.


Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, Queen of Australia, was born at 2.40 am on 21st April 1926 in Mayfair, London, and celebrates her 85th birthday this year. Following tradition, the Australian Monarch’s birthday is celebrated every year on the first Monday in June, with the exception of Western Australia, where it occurs in late September or early October. To honour the Queen’s Birthday in Australia an annual ceremony is held at the Royal Military College at Duntroon in the Australian Capital Territory.

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The Age’s policy: Never admit
the magic of the Monarchy


When it comes to the Australian Monarchy and/or members of the Australian Royal Family, The Age can be trusted for its republicanism.

In the edition of 21st March Tony Wright, who accompanied HRH Prince William to Northern Victoria, wrote of “the presence of Australia’s future monarch” in Kerang cheers Prince William and admitted:

The republic seems a long way from Kerang today.

One day later The Age could not help but row back from this Monarchist confession. In an editorial the newspaper claimed:

For when Prince William returns to Britain, this pleasant moment of distraction will fade for the flood-affected communities in Victoria and Queensland, and the need to ensure that their fellow citizens do not forget their plight will not be diminished. Australia's republican debate will not be changed, either. It will still be just as inappropriate for this independent nation to have a head of state who resides in another country, and for the people of this country to have no part in choosing the head of state.
Prince William, of course, will continue to be welcome here - however the constitutional arrangements may change.

Really? Did the people of this country have no part in choosing the head of state? Wasn’t the result of the 1999 referendum clear? The Australians voted in favour of the Monarchy and Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, Queen of Australia. Her margin was larger than that of President Obama or Nicolas Sarkozy of France.

But such thoughts never cross the minds of The Age’s journalists.

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The Queen wants a copy of the Victoria Bushfires Royal Commission report

Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth, Queen of Australia, expressed shock and sadness at the time of the Februray 7th, 2009 bushfires and had asked to receive a copy of the Victoria Bushfires Royal Commission report, reported Channel 9 in today's evening news.

The bushfires claimed 173 lives and destroyed countless homes and businesses.

The report, more than 300 pages in all (see this summary), contains over 60 recommendations to improve response to and planning for bushfire events in Victoria.

The Victorian government has not decided its response to the report which is critical of the bushfire planning, resourcing and most particularly the Police Minister and the senior management of the Country Fire Authority, Department of Sustainability and Environment and the Police, said the ABC:

"Mr Brumby says it is important for the Government to consider its response to the report carefully.

"'As Premier I feel the full weight of responsibility to make sure that we get our response to the Commission's report right to make sure we make our state as safe as possible,' he said."

It seems Victoria failed or had forgotten to learn the lessons of previous major fires in 1939 and 1983.

In February 2009 The Queen made a private donation to the fund-raising appeal for victims of the wildfires in Australia. She also requested daily updates on the bushfires and sent HRH The Princess Royal to Australia to visit areas affected by the Victorian Bushfires. On 21st January 2010 HRH Prince William visited the Whittlesea bushfire recovery centre, in Melbourne’s north, where he quizzed Premier John Brumby on the Black Saturday blazes.

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Republicans have no style

In which country can a government-owned organisation publish an insulting advertisement ahead of the head of state’s official birthday? The answer is: Australia, or to be precise: the State of Victoria. And here in particular the Transport Accident Commission (TAC), a Victorian Government-owned organisation set up in 1986, which published this half page advertisement in The Age and probably other local newspapers in Victoria as well.
Degrading the Queen of Australia has become something of a habit and takes place despite the Monarchists’ protests. However, to use a photo of Her Majesty The Queen and His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh two days before the Queen’s Birthday indicates an unknown depth in decency. And all this with the taxpayers' money. TAC's e-mail address: info@tac.vic.gov.au

For republicans Queen’s Birthday is, what Shaun Carney, The Age’s associate editor described like this: ”The republican question is now what used to be called in the newspaper game a ‘hardy annual’: a predictable, intrinsically inconsequential story that can be trotted out at the same time every year to little lasting effect."

We can expect more nastiness in the coming days and on Queen’s Birthday itself.

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The Victorian Labor Party plays games with the Australian Monarchy

You know a party is in trouble, when it attacks the country's institutions. Victoria will go to the polls in November this year and Premier John Brumby will try to get a mandate. He did not win office, but inherited the Premier's chair from Steve Bracks, who to everybody’s surprise at 52 retired as Premier of Victoria on 27 July 2007.

Labor's new 176-page draft policy platform contains threats like pushing for Australia to become a republic or trying to rewrite Victoria's constitution. Victoria's constitution, written in 1855 and repeatedly amended since, is now unnecessarily complicated Labor says, and it will seek cross-party support to rewrite the constitution to make it "a readable and accessible document for all Victorians". Well, tell that the US citizens, whose constitution was written in 1787!

Today’s Age published some other key elements of the Victorian ALP’s manifesto:

■ Funding new hospitals and health services to cope with an ageing population (about 1000 Victorians a week turn 65).
■ Boosting early childhood services and building more kindergartens to cater for the population boom (about 200 babies are born every day).
■ "Greening" Victoria through policies designed to tackle climate change and move the state away from its overwhelming reliance on ''dirty'' energies, such as brown coal.
■ Confronting Victoria's booze culture by launching new education campaigns on the dangers of binge drinking.

Would anybody guess that the same party that puts these points into its election platform has been in power for nearly eleven years and is responsible for all the failures it is promising to fix?

What about this hypocritical slogan of “greening Victoria and tackling climate change”? In 2008, brown coal fueled 96 percent of the electricity generated in Victoria, making it a huge contributor to our total greenhouse gas emissions. Over the last 10 years, Victoria’s reliance on coal has increased. Hazelwood power station produces 19 million tonnes of greenhouse pollution every year. This is the same amount produced by all of Melbourne’s 1.4 million households. It was due to be decommissioned in 2009 until the state Labor government extended its licence to pollute until 2031. Why would anybody believe that the ALP, so highly dependent on donations from both the unions and the coal industry, could tackle the climate change issue?

And how would a re-elected Labor government be able to “fund new hospitals and health services” after John Brumby agreed to hand over responsibility (and 30 percent of the state’s GST) to Canberra? Put up more speeding cameras to generate income? Or allow even more gambling machines? Mr Packer will certainly put up new casinos should Labor give him more licences (after he donated something to the party's war fund, of course).How will Mr Brumby finance programmes to rehabilitate pocker machine addicts?

Where does this obsession with “binge drinking” come from? “Launching new education campaigns”. Why do schools fail to explain the dangers of legal and illegal drugs? Instead of new “education campaigns” schools should be able to fulfil this task, they can do this at lower costs and in a more comfortable environment for the pupils.

And of course Labor does not go to the heart of the problem. If there are issues in Melbourne’s city centre, then it is to a great part due to the fact that there is no public transport at night worth that term. Come midnight and everybody who is in the centre, will not find a train or tram to return home safely. “Livable Melbourne” is not a 24-hour-city, but a six a.m. to ten p.m. city.

Will we see an ALP policy for the miserable public transport situation in Melbourne? The ever expanding city boundaries make Labor proud, but that these “working families” are left out in the boon docks without a proper train or even a decent bus service. For more than 40 years Melbourne has not seen any expansion of its rail network. When a new 500 metre tram line was inaugurated two years ago, the whole media staff of the minister was over excited and lobbied the servile TV stations dutifully reported on this great achievement of the state government.

And this is how the metropolitan rail network looks like:Should anybody believe, a returned Labor government would be willing and able to start the necessary major work?

Republicanism a vote puller?
But instead of dealing with the necessary basic duties of the state’s administration, Labor gives the impression of living in an ivory tower and preferring to attack our Constitutional Monarchy, the only institution neither Labor nor John Brumby have full control of. The platform says Labor will conduct plebiscites to demonstrate support for an Australian head of state, and will then "initiate an appropriate referendum" on a republic. What a rubbish! Does the ALP intend to hold plebiscites in Victoria? Every voter can see through this cheap stunt.

The Victorian ALP has been renowned for its dirty tricks in election campaign, but the attack on our Monarchy puts the crown on all the previous experiences.
Nothing of this policy platform is promising an honourable policy after the November elections. This government has passed its use-by-date.Victoria was the fist colony to show Queen Victoria on its stamps, the "half lengths" (1850-56) showing the Queen with her sceptre and orb in a half-length portrait.

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"Rob Hulls’ obsession with tokenism"

While the media went quiet and even the Monarchist organisations in Victoria had not raised their voices recently in attacking the state’s Attorney-General Rob Hulls’ decision that criminal prosecutions should be brought in the name of the Director of Public Prosecutions rather than The Queen, the RadicalRoyalist attacked Mr. Hulls' decision that was taken without proper warning and without any public discussion here and here.

I am glad that Mr. Hulls’ natural opponent, Shadow Attorney-General Robert Clark, demonstrated his opposition to Mr. Hulls’ coup. This is what he replied:

I responded to the Attorney-General’s announcement during an interview on radio station 3AW, in which I said that I was concerned with Rob Hulls’ obsession with tokenism and that rather than waste his time on issues like this he ought to be concentrating on ensuring tougher and more effective sentences and reducing Victoria’s huge court waiting lists.

My investigations into the issue concluded that what the Attorney-General has announced is beyond his powers and usurping the role of judges. It is also in direct conflict with the rules made by judges about criminal court matters, which still provide for the use of The Queen’s name.

Thank you for your interest in this important issue. I am always pleased to hear from community members about matters of importance to the justice system in Victoria.

In case you want to contact the Shadow Attorney-General Robert Clark, send him an e-mail: robert-clark@parliament.vic.gov.au or visit his website http://www.blogger.com/www.robertclark.net

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Planning Destruction Minister Madden

While cities in Europe were destroyed in wars, especially in bombing raids during World War II, Melbourne is under major threat in peaceful times.

For once The Age found the right words:

“It took barely the blink of an eye for Justin Madden to change the face of Melbourne. On Wednesday, the Planning Minister received a 57-page advisory panel report recommending in favour of the dramatic redevelopment of one of this city's most beloved landmarks, the Hotel Windsor.

Overnight, he read and ruminated on the report and his department's accompanying advice - also in favour of the revamp. Yesterday morning, he resolved to accept the advice. By 1pm he made his announcement. Done.”

Melbourne has lost so many historic buildings in the past couple of years, now this $260 million “overhaul” (aka vandalism) will destroy a major landmark, just opposite the Victorian Parliament building.

The RadicalRoyalist has already opposed the plans, when they were made public in August 2009. The strongest objections will not change anything, because the power of money is behind the decisions. Neither the public nor those responsible to preserve the Victorian heritage will change anything. Justin Madden, who considers himself a potential Premier has all it needs to get the top job in Victoria: he does not listen to people, just to mates and “political advisers”. The way to destruction lies open to him.

And what about the destruction of Westerfield Park, an environmentally unique area on Melbourne's south eastern edge... and for what ? A NEW FREEWAY!!

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"The proposition by Mr Hulls is an affront in itself"

Two months ago the Victorian Attorney-General Rob Hulls snuck in immediately before Christmas a major change in Victoria’s legal system - without any public discussion. From 1st January 2010, criminal prosecutions are brought in the name of the Director of Public Prosecutions, rather than The Queen. Even a republican lawyer raised concerns about the changes.

But what is the Victorian Parliament saying? Labor MP Ann Barker, who represents the constituency where the RadicalRoyalist lives and works, echoes Rob Hulls’ claims:

“This change more accurately reflects the way in which criminal proceedings are currently conducted in Victoria, as the Director of Public Prosecutions is responsible for instituting, preparing and conducting indictable criminal proceedings on behalf of the Crown.

“Removing the reference to “The Queen” is consistent with the spirit and purpose of the Act and the Government’s commitment to modernising the criminal justice system.”

Ted Baillieu, the Leader of the Opposition in the Victorian Parliament, answered the RadicalRoyalist’s letter, but only to inform him, that he has no opinion of his own on this matter.

“I appreciate your concerns about this decision and its potential effects on the legal process in Victoria.

“I have passed a copy of your letter to Robert Clark MLA, Shadow Attorney-General, for his information and consideration of your comment.”

A very different response came from Peter Ryan MLA, Leader of The Nationals:

“The Attorney-General Rob Hulls is to be condemned for his proposal to replace reference to The Queen with that of the Director of Public Prosecutions. Robert Clark, our Shadow Attorney-General, has already made comment to that effect.

“I practised law for about 17 years before coming to politics. The proposition by Mr Hulls is an affront in itself. The more so, since he should busy himself about the multitude of issue which face Victorians in matters of law and order and the operations of the justice system at large.”

Shadow Attorney-General Robert Clark may have made comments about Rob Hulls’ dictated changes, but he has – so far – not made them known to the RadicalRoyalist. Two months after the announcement, the major political opposition party's point of view on this matter is still not known. There is nothing on his website either.

May be the Liberal Party in Victoria should adopt a perception of the federal Leader of the Opposition Tony Abbott, that an opposition should oppose the government. Especially when the government's measure work against the judicial traditions of this country.

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The Crown vs. The DPP

Without any public discussion Attorney-General and then Acting Premier Rob Hulls on 16th December 2009 announced a major change in Victoria’s legal system: "From New Year's Day, criminal prosecutions will be brought in the name of the Director of Public Prosecutions, rather than the Queen." RadicalRoyalist commented on this act of "creeping republicanism" here and here.

While the Leader of Her Majesty's Opposition in the Victorian Parliament, Ted Baillieu, and Peter Ryan, Leader of The Nationals keep refusing to explain their position on the replacement of The Crown in Victorian Prosecutions by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DDP), the RadicalRoyalist obtained a statement from a - as it happened - republican lawyer.

For fear of professional drawback he asked not to be named. His quest for anonymity is certainly honoured.

No one seems to care all that much - but I do believe words mean something and "DPP vs." means something I do not believe. Better, if you want to give [The Queen] the shove without appearing to do so (which is gutless), off the top, for Criminal P's would be perhaps: The State of Victoria vs." or perhaps "The People of the State of Victoria vs.".

As an Australian republic supporter (and having in fact sworn loyalty to the Constitution for the State of New York & the United States of America), I can not say I am at all pleased to see "Regina" replaced by the Victorian DPP in criminal prosecutions.

[Queen] Elizabeth II is still the Head of State of Victoria, isn't she? Australia and Victoria are still Monarchies, aren't they, though we seem to ignore the fact?

Criminal actions are appropriately brought in the name of and by the highest authority in the State (figurehead not) - and that's not some mate of Rob Hulls.

Criminal prosecution in New York are "(The) People vs. ..." and Victoria should remain "Queen/Regina vs. ..." until the Crown is replaced by The People as the supreme authority in the jurisdiction.

It will be interesting to see, if the Opposition in Victoria will be able to formulate an opinion on Rob Hulls' outrageous act of removing The Queen from Victoria's legal system.

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The visit of Prince William to Australia

January 19th to 21st 2010

Below is the information to date.

TUESDAY, JANUARY 19th, 2010:

Prince William arrives at Sydney Airport

Noon: Kirribilli - Admiralty House. Lunch with the Governor-General. Guests will include prominent young Australians.

Afternoon: Sydney. Visit to the Aboriginal and Indigenous Community Centre.

The Centre runs day classes, after-school classes and activities and many other drop-in services for all ages.

Afternoon: Sydney City - Prince William will call on the Governor of New South Wales, Dr Marie Bashir at Government House.

Evening: Private

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 20th, 2010:

Morning: Holsworthy. Tour of Army Barracks. Join 3rd Battalion - the Royal Australian Regiment. Participate in live fire training at the marksmanship training range at the Barracks. Meet privately with Special Operations Command soldiers.

Morning: Sydney Harbour - Visit the CSIRO environmental research ship Southern Surveyor. Meet with scientists and view marine science technology oceans.

Noon: Sydney City Barbeque lunch in the Royal Botanic Gardens hosted by Kristina Keneally, Premier of New South Wales. Emphasis will be on young people.

Afternoon : Private

THURSDAY, JANUARY 21st, 2010

Morning: Visit to Bushfire affected areas. Meet with emergency services.

Community event. Meet with people who lost their homes in the tragedy.
Plant a tree as a symbol of new growth.
Attend barbeque and local sports match.

Afternoon: Visit rebuilt educational centre.

Afternoon: Melbourne City - Call on the Governor of Victoria, Prof. David de Kretser, at Government House, Melbourne. Attend Governor's Australia Day reception with Hon. John Brumby, Premier of Victoria. Plant tree in grounds of Government House.

Evening: private

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