The ANA was a mutual friendly society founded in Melbourne in April 1871. It was founded for the benefit of White native-born Australians and initially membership was restricted to males. The Association raised funds by subscription and donations to provide for sick members and to assist with funeral expenses of both members and their families. The Association lobbied strongly for the political union of the Australian colonies at the time of Federation. A vertical file containing the following: 1. ‘Surrey Hills Branch A.N.A.’, Reporter, Box Hill, 25.5.1906 (1 page). 2. ‘Expressions of Sympathy’, Reporter, Box Hill, 27.3.1908 (1 page). 3. ‘With the Natives at Surrey’, Reporter, Box Hill, 16.4.1909 (1 page). 4. ‘Surrey Hills A.N.A.’, Reporter, Box Hill, 3.2.1911 (1 page). 5. Surrey Hills 1909-11 musical programme (1 page copy of original). 6. Surrey Hills A.N.A. 3.8.1912 unknown paper (1 page). surrey hills ana, ana, australian natives association, friendly societies

The Independent Order of Rechabites (IOR), also known as the Sons and Daughters of Rechab is a friendly society founded in England in 1835 as part of the wider British temperance movement to promote total abstinence from alcoholic beverages. This type of sash was worn by a Past District Chief Ruler. This particular sash belonged to Lieutenant Colonel William McGregor Cairncross. He lived at the property now known as 'Medlow', although during his occupancy it was known as 'Willcyrus', named after two of his sons - Sergeant William McGregor Cairncross and Trooper Cyrus Hay Cairncross, who served with the 2nd Scottish Horse during the Boer War and in British units in the First World War. Lt Col Cairncross served at the Victoria Barracks in Melbourne for 25 years and designed a water bottle used by Australian colonial troops. During the Boer War he was controller of stores at Victoria Barracks. He died 24 May 1903 at his home.Pointed collar / sash; white silk / satin front with 3 x red stripes down each side; yellow stripes along edges; red satin backing; metallic gold tassels on the outer edge; colourful woven text and design on white segments on each side; one side "Independent Order of Rechabites SALFORD UNITY" around shield emblem; sheild with - beehive, sword and flame and wheat sheaf above, inside shield lamb, all-seeing eye, sun, moon with seven stars, snake, two birds, three white arrow heads, rose, clover and thistle symbols, "PEACE & PLENTY THE REWARD OF TEMPERANCE" in banner below; other side "PAST CHIEF RULER", crossed flags of Royal Standard of Great Britain, USA and Scotland above with triangle in centre of flags, text "TRUTH, FORTITUDE, JUSTICE" "IOR" in centre of triangle, 3 x overlapping shields below main text: one with flag of USA, one with symbols of Rechabites, one with the Royal Standard of Great Britain.independent order of rechabites, surrey hills tent no 309, regalia, william cairncross, william mcgregor cairncross, sash

Includes facsimiles, tables of office bearers, and committee members. Appendix notes from Minute Books and surname Indexnon-fictionA book about Surrey Hills' Friendly Societieshistory, surrey hills' friendly societies