our upcoming events
81st Anniversary Battle of Coral Sea 7 May 2023
The President and the Committee of the Australian American Association,
Gold Coast Division cordially extend an invitation to attend the
81st Anniversary Commemorative Service of the Battle of the Coral Sea
and the operations of the Joint US and Australian Task Force 17 in May 1942.
SUNDAY, MAY 7, 2023
10.30am for a 11.00am start
NEW VENUE - Broadbeach Cultural Centre
61 Sunshine Boulevard, Broadbeach
(just behind Pacific Fair)
Car Parking adjacent to the Centre - Afternoon Tea to follow the Service
RSVP: ASAP - Required by Wednesday, April 26, 2023 to:
Mr Keith Shackley, Acting VP/Treasurer AAAGDC:
by phone: 0421 336 393 or by email: shackleyka@gmail.com
*PLEASE ALSO INDICATE YOUR INTENTION TO LAY A WREATH ON THE DAY*
A BIT OF HISTORY
The Australian-American Association was founded in Sydney, NSW in 1936 by Sir Ernest White, a Veteran of World War I. By June 1938, there were 4,000 members in New South Wales and by the end of WW II every major city in each State of Australia had a Division of the Association.
Since then, Divisions have been formed in Darwin, Alice Springs, Townsville, Launceston, Wagga Wagga and the Gold Coast.
The inaugural meeting of the Gold Coast Division was held on 10 July, 1984. At that meeting the Division’s Constitution, which was written by Sir Reginald Scholl, was adopted and Sir William McMahon was elected President.
OUR OBJECTIVES
The objectives of the Australian-American Association are: . To develop and maintain friendship, mutual understanding and cooperation between the people and governments of Australia and the United States of America. . To contribute to a better understanding by the Australian public of American affairs and points of view and informing the Australian public in those matters. . To attract membership of citizens and corporate bodies of both nations who will contribute to the furtherance of practical cooperation and mutual understanding. . To extend fellowship and hospitality to American visitors, especially those representing their Government and Armed Service, as well as to representatives of commercial, industrial, educational and philanthropic organisations and affording them facilities for gaining an intimate knowledge of Australia and the Australian way of life.
SOME ACHIEVEMENTS THROUGHOUT THE YEARS
1. Launching the Sister City Movement in Australia. While not so active these days, the links established years ago are still in place. Fort Lauderdale, Florida is Sister City to the Gold Coast
2. Launching the American Field Scholarship student exchange program in Australia. There are many student exchange programs now, mostly based on the principles established by the original AFS.
3. Commemorating the Battle of the Coral Sea each year with special events hosted by each Division around Australia. This was the definitive battle for Australia during World War II and as such should be remembered through the coming years.
4. Financing a permanent exhibit at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra to Commemorate the Battle of the Coral Sea. The exhibit takes the form of a panoramic view of the battle as seen from the Bridge of a carrier
5. Major sponsor to the Centaur Memorial fund. This fund commemorates the sinking of the Australian Hospital Ship Centaur by the Japanese in May 1943. Of the ship’s compliment of 343, only 30 crew and 34 passengers survived. Sister Ellen Savage was the only nurse to survive.