Commonwealth Week Multi-faith Observance

The Chapel,

Australian Centre for Christianity and Culture,

15 Blakall Street, Barton, ACT

acc-c.org.au

The Australian Centre for Christianity and Culture and the Commonwealth Day Committee is pleased to announce the upcoming service for Commonwealth Day, with the theme "Prayers for Peace." This event, to be held at the Chapel, Australian Centre for Christianity and Culture promises to be a celebration of unity and diversity within the Commonwealth.

The Australian Centre for Christianity and Culture is proud to partner with the Commonwealth Day Committee to host this event, which symbolises their commitment to fostering interfaith dialogue and promoting peace. This event falls under one of the four pillars of the Australian Centre for Christianity and Culture, ‘Peace through new religious engagements.’

Photos from around the Commonwealth

Monastery overlooking the Indus River,

Ley and Ladakh,

India

Photo: David Plummer

RCS (ACT) Annual General Meeting

Guest Speaker: Libby Ellis, President, RCS South Australia

Verco Room,

Wesley Uniting Church

20 National Cct

Forrest ACT 2603

Australia

CLICK HERE to download the Agenda for the 2024 RCSACT AGM

Photos from around the Commonwealth

The Pitons,

ST. Lucia,

West Indies

Photo: David Plummer

RSC (ACT) Council Meeting (Council Members)

Photos from around the Commonwealth

Brighton Beach, Melbourne, Australia

Photo: David Plummer

Guest of Honour, Anne Gallagher, Director General, The Commonwealth Foundation

Photo: Flamingos

David Plummer

Bi-monthly meeting of RCS ACT Committee

Photo: Images from around the Commonwealth

Morning mist in Rajasthan

Photo by David Plummer

POSTPONED UNTIL MARCH 2024

Annual Cricket match for the Major General Anton Muttukumaru Trophy played between the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) Vs. Commonwealth High Commissions - 2023

When: 10 am- 4:30pm Sunday, 19 November 2023

• 10am Softball Match

• 12 noon-1pm Introduction to cricket

• 1pm Commonweralth V DFAT Annual Cricket Match

Where: Forestry Oval, Wilf Crane Crescent, Yarralumla, ACT 2600.

This historic cricket encounter has been played since 1966. The winner's trophy was donated to the Royal Commonwealth Society (RCS) in 1967 by one of the initiators of this cricket match, Major General Anton Muttukumaru, former High Commissioner of Sri Lanka to Australia.

The event also raises funds from the sale of refreshments and donations for an identified Commonwealth Country charity. Last year's charity proceedings were sent to Flood Relief work in Pakistan.

Save this date

Royal Commonwealth Society and Australia Britain Society

Spring Lunch

12 noon for 12:30pm

Royal Canberra Golf Club

Images from around the Commonwealth

Laneway Graffiti, Melbourne, Australia

Photo: David Plummer

“Sri Lankan Street Food Festival” at the Sri Lanka High Commission Garden on Saturday, 21st October 2023 from 10.00a.m. to 2.30p.m.

This event will be held as part of the “Windows to the World” Programme organized by the ACT Government.

In addition to the street food stalls, there will be “Hopper making demonstration”, Ceylon iced tea tasting, displaying colourful Sri Lankan wooden masks etc. at this event.

Please join with your family and friends.

Sri Lanka High Commission

No. 61, Hampton Circuit,

Yarralumla, 

Canberra, ACT 2600.

Tel : 02-61983755

Images from around the Commonwealth

Sri Lanka

David Plummer

Council Members and Invited Guests

Government House Open Day

All are welcome for the Government House Open Day on Saturday 7 October 2023 from 10:00am - 2:00pm.

Enjoy the beautiful gardens, tour the House and explore one of the most historic properties in Australia.

There is lots of room to spread a picnic rug, for children (and adults!) to run around and for all to enjoy the atmosphere and views. Guided walking tours will run throughout the Open Day - no tickets required. 

Bring your own food and drinks (there will also be food to purchase from a sausage sizzle and local coffee vendors).

Parking is available on Dunrossil Drive.

More information click here

The Commonwealth Short Story Prize

Opens for entries on 1 September 2023

Writers from across the Commonwealth are invited to submit their stories for a chance to win the UK£5,000 prize. The prize is open to citizens of all 56 Commonwealth countries aged 18 and over. To be in contention, you need to submit a 2–5000 word story before 1 November 2023.

The prize is free to enter and open to everyone regardless of previous writing experience. We accept stories submitted in 13 different languages or those translated into English from any language.

For more information see here:

Commonwealth Short Story Prize

Images from around the Commonwealth

Mission Beach, Rainy Season, Queensland, Australia

Photo: David Plummer

Black Tie Dinner at the Commonwealth Club next Thursday evening 15 June at 7pm at the Commonwealth Club to celebrate the first Kings Birthday.  We have an excellent speaker in the Director of the Australian War Memorial and former Deputy High Commissioner to the UK, Matt Anderson.

I you wish to join any of our activities, apply to become a member of the Royal Commonwealth Society. A membership form can be found at the foot of the RCS ACT Home Page (below). New members are very welcome.

Guest Speaker: HE Mr Isaiya Kabira, High Commissioner for Kenya and Dean of the African Diplomatic Corps in Canberra

Cost: $90 Dress: Lounge Suit or National Dress

COMMONWEALTH DINNER ACCEPTANCE

RSVP by Monday 9 March

I/WE wish to attend the *Commonwealth Dinner Thursday 12 March at the Commonwealth Club Names & titles Members:......................................................................................................................................................................

Guests..............................................................................................................................................................................

I/We wish to be seated with..........................................................................................................................................

Dietary requirements e.g. vegetarian........................................................................................................................

*Payment can be made either by

(a) cheque, enclosing this form, or (b) by direct credit : (a) I enclose a cheque for $ ............................ payable to the Royal Commonwealth Society (ACT). Please post to the Hon. Treasurer, Royal Commonwealth Society, 72 Arthur Circle, Forrest ACT 2603.

(b) Direct Credit to: BSB 032 778, A/c No. 149 355, Royal Commonwealth Society, with description : Dinner + Sur- name. Also please send a confirmation email that payment has been made (and any dietary requirements, names of guests etc.) to a.jsutton@netspeed.com.au (telephone 6295 1297).

Guest of Honour: HE General the Hon. David Hurley AC DSC (Retd) Governor-General of Australia

This annual Spring Lunch is held jointly with the ACT Branch of the Australia-Britain Society. Pre-lunch drinks followed by a carvery buffet and dessert. Wines, tea and coffee will be served with the meal. $75 per person. Acceptances by Tuesday 15 October 2019.

Professor Satendra Nandan, an academic, writer and former cabinet minister in the Fijian Government, will speak on the topic Commonwealth Literature: An Uncommon Journey. Professor Nandan is currently at the ANU College of Arts and Social Sciences.

Please RSVP to either colinmilner@y7mail.com or 0418 287 684 by Friday 27 September.

Entrants for the 2018 Phyllis Montgomerie Commonwealth Award have until 5:00 pm on Friday 20 October 2017 to submit their application using the online application form.

Our Annual RCS Schools Public Speaking Competition will be held on Tuesday 15 August, 7.00 pm at the Wesley Music Centre, 24 National Circuit, Forrest. Supper will be provided. Contact the RCS for more details.