On 17 July 2017 members and guests of the Royal Over-Seas League Victorian Branch gathered at a formal dinner to mark the Centenary of the Proclamation by HM King George V of the House of Windsor. The event was held at the delightful Alexandra Club, Melbourne [named in honour of HM Queen Alexandra].
Guests gather for pre-dinner refreshments prior to the address by Ms Janine Kirk AM and moving to the Club’s Dining Room for dinner
Members and guests were welcomed by the ROSL Chairman Australia and President Victorian Branch Mr Jason Ronald OAM who then introduced the special guest speaker Ms Janine Kirk AM, Executive Director of the Prince’s Trust Australia. Ms Kirk spoke very engagingly of the role, growth and positive impact of the Prince’s Trust in Australia, it’s achievements and its aspirations within project areas related to the built environment, health and well being, young people, rural and regional, arts and culture and environment and sustainability.
[L–R] Ms Janine Kirk AM, Chief Executive Officer, The Prince’s Charities Australia, Mr Jason Ronald OAM, Chairman Australia and President ROSL Victorian Branch and Ms Margaret Jackson AC, Chairman, Prince’s Charities Australia
Amongst the guests who enjoyed pre-dinner refreshments, a sumptuous three course meal and fine wines was the Chair of the Prince’s Trust Australia, Ms Margaret Jackson AC.
[L-R] The event’s sponsor at the Alexandra Club, ROSL Victorian Branch Vice-President, Miss Jane Teasdale, with Ms Alice Brettingham-Moore and Ms Marian Farrell
In closing Mr Ronald expressed the appreciation of all gathered to the Branch Secretary, Mr Ron Williamson for the development and conduct of the event and drew proceedings to an end by reflecting on the century over which the Royal Family has been styled ‘The House of Windsor’. He noted that the period has been tumultuous, even extraordinary - two horrific World Wars with all their social and political implications, the Spanish Influenza pandemic, the ‘Great Depression’, the Abdication Crisis, the emergence and decline of Communism, a divided Europe, a united Europe, the demise of Empire and the birth of The Commonwealth, the ‘Cold War’, the emergence of a truly mass media, space exploration, digital technology. Mr Ronald ended by noting that through all of the tumult and change, the Royal Family has adapted but remained constant and that the ‘Centenary of The House of Windsor’ was a milestone worthy of celebration.
Mr Mark Plaisted, Ms Jennifer Shaw & Mr Jason Ronald OAM
