The Britain–Australia Society is an organization that was established in 1971 to promote historic links between the United Kingdom and Australia. Its London headquarters is in the Australia Centre within Australia House. It has other branches throughout the United Kingdom.

History

In 1971, Sir Robert Menzies and Sir Alec Douglas-Home, former Prime Ministers of Australia and the United Kingdom, re-founded the pre-existing Australia Club to form two apolitical and non-commercial societies, based in the United Kingdom and Australia.

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, England, honouring the memory of Admiral Arthur Phillip.

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, Lord Carrington, and Samantha Cohen.

Structure

Branches are maintained in Cambridgeshire, Suffolk, Norfolk, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, Portsmouth, and the West Country. Regional functions are held by these branches in addition to centrally-organised activities. The Patron of the Society was The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. The President is William Jefferson Hague, Baron Hague of Richmond (the founding President was Lord Carrington). As of March 2019, the Chairman is Damian Walsh

Vice Presidents

Honorary Vice-presidents

CEO

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, such as the Commonwealth Bank of Australia.

Affiliates

Three charitable trusts are maintained by the society: Australian Britain–Australia Society members have reciprocal rights when in Britain, and vice versa.