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A
History
The Early
Days
In 1951 and
1952, the Australia China Society (ACS), as the Australia
China Friendship Society was then known, was established in
Melbourne and Sydney. This was only two years after the
founding of the People's Republic of China on 1st October
1949. Active members rendered numerous effective and
beneficial works in increasing Australia-China friendship.
This later contributed to the promotion of the establishment
of diplomatic relations between the two
countries.
Diplomatic relations
were established between Australia and China in 1972.
A National Council
In 1972 the
National Council of the Australia China Society was
established in Melbourne. The first National President was Dr
Geoffrey Stillwell (Victoria). We became Australia China
Friendship Society in 1982.
National Council Leaders
National
Presidents succeeding Dr Stillwell in chronological order are Jack
Lazarus (Victoria); Sidney Clare (NSW); Professor Bruce Johnson
(Tasmania); Tom Loy (Queensland); Jeff Emmel (South Australia);
James Flowers (NSW); Keith Jenvey (Qld); Tom Loy
was elected President for a second term in 2008.
John Breheny (Vic) is the new president in 2010.
Harvest of Endurance
scroll
As part of the
celebration of the Australian Bicentenary in 1988,
the
Australia-China Friendship Society commissioned and
sponsored the
creation of a 50 metre long scroll portraying
two centuries of Australian
Chinese participation in, and economic
contribution to Australian society.
The Harvest of
Endurance scroll took over 12 months to complete
and
consists of 18 panels painted in the traditional gong
bi style. Artist
Mo Xiangyi, assisted by Wang Jingwen,
painted the scroll. Mo Yimei
carried out the historical
research. The National Museum of Australia
purchased the
scroll in 1992. ACFS Ltd retains the copyright to the
scroll.
Extracted
images of the 50 metre long scroll may be requested from The
National
Museum of Australia for educational
purposes. A copyright royalty fee is payable to Australia
China Friendship Society Ltd. In this regard, please contact
the ACFS Ltd National Secretary from the Contact page.
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A section
of the scroll depicting Australian Chinese contributions to the
professions.
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The Society becomes a Company
It became obvious in later
years that the National Constitution needed revision.
Accordingly legal opinion was sought and in 2006 the ACFS
National Body became Australia China Friendship Society Ltd.
All state and territory branches became members of the new
ACFS Ltd with the exception of NSW and ACT. Branch affiliates
have director representation in the new company.
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