View source for Britain–Australia Society

The '''Britain–Australia Society''' was established in 1971<ref>{{cite web | title=Companies House Registration | website=Service.Gov.UK | url=https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/01030451 | access-date=31 May 2022}}</ref> to promote historic and contemporary links between the [[United Kingdom]] and [[Australia]]. Its London headquarters is in the Australia Centre within [[Australia House]].<ref name="BASweb">{{cite web | title=Britain-Australia Society - About Us | website=Britain-Australia Society | url=https://www.britain-australia.org.uk/ | access-date=31 May 2022}}</ref> It has other branches throughout the United Kingdom.<ref name="BASbranches">{{cite web | title=Britain-Australia Society branches | website=Britain Australia Society | url=https://www.britain-australia.org.uk/branches | access-date=21 September 2026}}</ref>

== History ==

In 1971, [[Robert Menzies|Sir Robert Menzies]] and [[Alec Douglas-Home|Sir Alec Douglas-Home]], former [[Prime minister|Prime Ministers]] of Australia and the United Kingdom, re-founded the pre-existing Australia Club to form two [[Apoliticism|apolitical]] and non-commercial societies, based in the United Kingdom and Australia.<ref name="BASnewsApr2024">{{cite web | title=Britain-Australia Society newsletter April 2024 | website=Britain-Australia Society | url=https://www.britain-australia.org.uk/post/april-2024-newsletter | access-date=21 September 2026}}</ref>

== Events ==
A primary activity is organising events including diplomatic dinners, seminars and social gatherings. The West Country branch arranges an annual service of remembrance and lunch in [[Bath, Somerset|Bath, England]], honouring the memory of Admiral [[Arthur Phillip]].<ref name="BASwestPhillip">{{cite web | title=Britain-Australia Society West Country Branch Arthur Phillip service | website=BritOzWest | url=https://britozwest.org.uk/arthur-phillip-history/ | access-date=21 September 2026}}</ref>

== Awards ==
The Society grants an occasional Britain–Australia Society Award to recognise a person who has been recognized for contributing to the relations between the United Kingdom and Australia. Past recipients have been [[Barry Humphries]], [[Lord Hague]], [[Kylie Minogue]], [[David Attenborough]], [[Peter Carington, 6th Baron Carrington|Lord Carrington]], and Samantha Cohen.<ref name="BASevent-photos">{{cite web | title=Britain-Australia Society event photos | website=Flickr | url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/99036525@N06/albums/ | access-date=21 September 2026}}</ref>

== Structure ==
Branches are maintained in [[Cambridge]]shire, [[Suffolk]], [[Norfolk]], [[Leicestershire]], [[Lincolnshire]], [[Portsmouth]], and the [[West Country]]. Regional functions are held by these branches in addition to centrally-organised activities.<ref name="BASbranches">{{cite web | title=Britain-Australia Society branches | website=Britain Australia Society | url=https://www.britain-australia.org.uk/branches | access-date=21 September 2026}}</ref>

The Patron of the Society was [[Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh|The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh]]. The President is [[William Hague|William Jefferson Hague, Baron Hague of Richmond]] (the founding President was [[Peter Carington, 6th Baron Carrington|Lord Carrington]]). Since March 2019, the chairman is Damian Walsh<ref>{{Cite web |title=Our People |url=https://www.britain-australia.org.uk/ourpeople |access-date=2024-08-09 |website=BAS |language=en}}</ref>
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=== Vice Presidents ===
* The [[List of High Commissioners of Australia to the United Kingdom|High Commissioner for Australia]] &ndash; ''ex officio''
* Peter Benson
* Brian Harris
* [[Roger Carrick|Sir Roger Carrick]]
* Rohan Courtney
* [[Alastair Goodlad, Baron Goodlad|The Lord Goodlad]]
* Michael Whalley
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=== Honorary Vice-presidents ===
* Dale Eaton
* [[Helen Liddell, Baroness Liddell of Coatdyke|The Baroness Liddell of Coatdyke]]
* Sylvia Countess of Limerick
* [[Vestey_Holdings|George Vestey]]
Deceased:
* [[Margaret Thatcher]]
* [[June Mendoza]]
* [[Barry Tuckwell]]


=== CEO ===
* Louise Mulley
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== Sponsors ==
The administration and events are funded by membership subscriptions, management fees and corporate sponsors, including [[Australian Government]] agencies and businesses and organisations with an Australian interest in the United Kingdom or a British interest in Australia.<ref name="BASsponsors">{{cite web | title=Britain-Australia Society sponsors | website=Britain Australia Society | url=https://www.britain-australia.org.uk/#comp-jz8r9xlm | access-date=21 September 2026}}</ref>

== Affiliates ==
Three [[Charitable Trust|charitable trust]]s are maintained by the society:
* The Britain–Australia Society Educational Trust provides sponsorship for both countries.<ref name="BASET">{{cite web | title=Britain-Australia Society Education Trust | website=Britain Australia Society | url=https://www.britain-australia.org.uk/baset | access-date=21 September 2026}}</ref>
* The Northcote Trust funds postgraduate scholarships to Australia.<ref name="Northcote Trust">{{cite web | title=The Northcote Trust | website=Britain Australia Society | url=https://www.britain-australia.org.uk/northcote | access-date=21 September 2026}}</ref>
* The [[Royal Flying Doctor Service]] – Friends in the UK.<ref name="RFDScontact">{{cite web | title=The Royal Flying Doctor Service Friends in the UK | website=Royal Flying Doctor Service UK | url=https://royalflyingdoctor.org.uk/contact-1 | access-date=21 September 2026}}</ref>
Australian Britain–Australia Society members have reciprocal rights when in Britain, and vice versa.<ref name="ABSreciprocity">{{cite web | title=Australia-Britain Society recoprocity | website=Australia-Britain Society | url=https://www.ausbrit.org/nsw-home/collegiate-groups/ | access-date=21 September 2026}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
* [http://www.ausbrit.org Australia–Britain Society]
* [http://www.menziesfoundation.org.au The Menzies Foundation]
* [http://britain-australia.org.uk/northcote The Northcote Trust]
* [http://britain-australia.org.uk/baset/ Britain-Australia Society Education Trust]
* [https://www.flyingdoctor.org.au/nswact/our-partnerships/rfds-friends-uk/ RFDS Friends in the UK]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Britain-Australia Society}}
[[Category:Clubs and societies in London]]
[[Category:Clubs and societies in Australia]]
[[Category:1971 establishments in the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Organizations established in 1971]]
[[Category:Australia friendship associations]]
[[Category:United Kingdom friendship associations]]
[[Category:British-Australian culture]]