Historical Current Affairs Analysis

The Chairman, Mr. David Cowling cordially invites you to the inaugural dinner of Bayside Monarchists which will be held on Wednesday the 12^th of March 2008 at 7:30 PM at Bells Hotel & Brewery in South Melbourne. The purpose of this function is to commemorate the fifty-sixth anniversary of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s Accession to the Throne and to formally launch Bayside Monarchists.Bayside Monarchists is a branch of Australian monarchists who are determined to retain Australia’s system of constitutional monarchy due to their appreciation of the Crown’s role in protecting democratic stability and out of loyalty to our Queen, Her Majesty Elizabeth II and her heirs.

Although Bayside Monarchists are specifically focused on ensuring that a ‘No’ vote prevails in the Bayside area of Melbourne, membership and support for this branch is open to all monarchists of good will. Bayside Monarchists’ broader objective is to link up with monarchists throughout Australia to ensure that our system of constitutional monarchy is preserved.

The inaugural dinner will be held on:

Wednesday the 12^th of March 2008

7:30 PM at Bells Hotel & Brewery

157 Moray Street South Melbourne

(Corner of Coventry Road)

Mel ways Reference 2K E1

The dinner will be held in the down stairs area of Bells Hotel in an area which will be specially portioned off for the dinner. The cost of the dinner is $35 a head for a buffet meal. The dinner will be followed by a talk in the upstairs function room to be given by the Secretary of Bayside Monarchists, Mr. David Bennett entitled:

The Power of One: The Life and Historical Impact of Laura Secord.

Laura Secord (1775 to 1868) was born in Massachusetts and migrated to Queenstown (present day Ontario) in 1795.  During the War of 1812 (1812 to 1814) between Britain and the United States, Upper Canada was invaded by the latter with the intention of annexing the remainder of British North America (present day Canada) to the new republic. The American failure to conquer British North America was due to the resistance of American Loyalists who fled north following the Patriot victory in America’s War of Independence (1775 to 1783).

It is often overlooked that the American War of Independence was really America’s first civil war due to Loyalist elements within the population resisting the move to break with the Crown. Due to a lack of political organisation on the part of American Loyalists and an abject failure by the British to harness domestic bases of support, the Patriot side prevailed.

Many Loyalist refugees subsequently made their way to present day Canada (which up until then had been populated by French settlers and North American Indians) following their defeat in America’s first civil war. These refugees were not only descendants of English and Scottish migrants but they also encompassed communities of escaped African slaves, Irish Catholics and ethnic Germans.

Although the Loyalists (and allied Native American tribes) were better organised and resolutely determined in resisting the American invasion, they could not have militarily prevailed had it not been for Laura Secord’s heroism. Mrs. Secord displayed ingenuity and tremendous courage in avoiding American patrols to travel by foot through dangerous terrain for over six hours to warn Lieutenant Fitzgibbon of the planned surprise American attack on the Beaver Dams in the Niagara Peninsula in June 1813.

Laura Secord’s vital contribution was not appropriately recognised in Canada until after her death. It was only due to the initial efforts of amateur historians that the significance of her effort was understood. Mrs. Secord’s capacity to change the course of history was seemingly restricted due to her humble background. However her courage was such that against the odds she ensured that North American Loyalists did not again fall victim to stronger forces.

The speaker is pro-American and appreciates the role that the United States has fulfilled in promoting and protecting democracy around the world since World War I. However, as a matter of historical justice he believes that American Loyalist refugees were entitled to a country of their own and in this context pays tribute to Laura Secord.

Arguably appreciation of the Crown’s role in facilitating and safeguarding national independence is not as appreciated in Australia as it is in Canada. As in the case of Canada, whether Australia continues to benefit from its retention of a constitutional monarchy is ultimately dependant upon the support of the people. Support and involvement in Bayside Monarchists will hopefully contribute to the process of Australian monarchists taking responsibility and action in time to safeguard the nation’s continued constitutional well-being.

 

Please remit $35.00 per person (Banquet dinner)

By Cheque payable to:

Bayside Monarchists

PO Box 2064, Moorabbin, Vic 3189

By Monday March 3^rd 2008