Dear Members and Friends,
As you will all be aware the United Kingdom and the world are facing an unprecedented challenge in dealing with the novel coronavirus. Following the British Prime Minister’s advice this week, the staff of the Britain-Australia Society have moved to remote working. We have also taken the precaution of postponing our events programme for March and April. Our next scheduled event is the Summer Garden Party on Tuesday 16 June and we very much hope that we will be able to welcome you all to the High Commissioner’s residence, Stoke Lodge, on that date. I know that for many of you the Society provides important people-to-people links and I want to reassure you that the team and I are fully available over email and telephone and can continue to connect you to friends and contacts across the network during this period. We know you appreciate the work we all do, and there is more to come, once we get past this lock down. The reception with William Hague was a standout start to this year, but unfortunately the High Commissioners’ Dinner and other major events we had planned in the next few months have been postponed to ensure the safety of our whole community. Whilst events are important to the work of the Society, we will continue to drive support for the cultural, historical, political, educational and other links that underpin the work of the Britain-Australia Society over the slow down. As you know, the Society is a not-for-profit organisation and we require income from these events and from your Membership subscriptions to cover our operating costs. If your Membership is due, please renew promptly. If you are not yet a Member, it would be wonderful to have you on board now. If you need any information about joining the Society or renewing your Membership, you can find all the details on our website here, or call Elizabeth on the office line, 0207 630 1075, to pay by card over the phone. We will continue to provide updates and news through our monthly newsletters, and please do not hesitate to get in touch with me or the team if you have any questions. We will get through this. In the meantime, we hope you and your families and communities are able to join us and follow best practice advice to stay well.
Best wishes, Damian J. Walsh Chairman
