The Australian Natives Association (ANA) Benefit Society was formed in 1871 at a meeting of young men in Grimwood's Hotel, Elizabeth Street, Melbourne. The Association was one of many friendly societies that also aimed to promote the moral, social and intellectual advancement of its members. The young founders restricted membership to native-born Australians, but there were no Koories among them. The Australian Natives Association Ballarat Branch (No4) was founded in 1874. The association’s modest building was based in Camp Street and the branch was one of the most active in the colony, playing a key role in Federation. The Ballarat branch of the ANA was wound up in 1957 and the double storey building has since been used as for office space most recently for employment companies such as Tracey Recruitment. Ballarat's ANA Hall has heritage status under the City of Ballarat’s Camp Street heritage overlay HO186, however it is not listed by either the Victorian Heritage Register or the National Trust.Handwritten letter glued onto a lined page. The letter is from the Australian Natives Association Ballarat Branch No. 4, and is written to John Mateer at the time of his wife's death. The letter is signed by John Gray (President) and Fred Wainwright (secretary). Fred Wainwright was the first secretary of ANA branch No. 4. hew as a clerk at Ballarat Town Hall, and presented an essay on Federation of Australian Colonies in 1879.Australian Natives Association Ballaarat Branch No 4 14th December 1883. Dear Sir The members of this branch of the A.N.A. desire us to convey to you expression of their deep sympanth with you in the irreparable loss you have sustained by the death of your dearly beloved wife. The Members are fully aware that during the first month of such an overpowering infliction the most sincere sympathy of the truest friends can do little by alleviate the bitter pangs of remembrance and sorrow, still they trust that you may be enabled to submit with christian calmness and fortitude to the Will of Him, who, when seeming to act most severely wit us, is in His Own Divine Wisdom, ordering things for the best. We are Dear Sir Yours fraternally John Gray President fred Wainwright Secretary To Mr John Mateer australian natives' association, ana, ballarat branch no. 4. ballaarat branch no. 4, gray, john gray, wainwright, fred wainwright, mateer, john mateer

The motto of the ANA was Unity, Prosperity, PeaceA framed certificate of the Australian Natives' Assoiation Ballarat Branch No 4 made out to R. McRae.ana, australian natives' association, r. mcrae, ballarat branch no 4