Historical information

The Australian Natives’ Association was one of many friendly societies operating in Australia in the 19th century.
The ANA was an exclusively Australian organisation established in Victoria on 24 April 1871 by a group of young, white Australian-born men. Meetings were open to all and membership did not involve rituals or regalia.
Federation of the Australian colonies became an ANA goal in 1884.
By 1910 membership had reached 28,844 and was broadly based across all occupations and social classes.
Source
https://www.nma.gov.au/defining-moments/resources/australian-natives-association

Physical description

1. Bendigo Advertiser newspaper article reporting an upcoming dinner to be held commemorating the centenary of a meeting held by the Australian Natives' Association (ANA) at the Shamrock Hotel on March 15, 1898. Includes a black and white photograph of town crier Tom Stewart who will read Alfred Deakin's original speech at the commemoration dinner. Published 11.3.98.
2. Programme booklet for Centenary of the Banquet Shamrock Hotel, Bendigo, Sunday 15 March 1998. (Report of proceedings of the Annual Conference of Victorian Branches of the AUSTRALIAN NATIVES' ASSOCIATION held at the A.N.A. Hall Bendigo ON Thursday 15th, Wednesday 16th, Thursday 17th March, 1898).
A5 booklet with yellow card cover and two page insert printed on yellow paper. Cover and insert bound together with piece of white curling ribbon. Speakers include Mr. Alan Castleman, Dr. Richard Sneddon, Ms. Michele Matthews. Re-enactment of the 1898 speech by the Hon. Alfred Deakin (Reda by Tom Stewart). Includes menu.
3. Transcript of the talk by Michele Mathews presented to the Centenary Dinner on 15 March 1998. Three type written pages on white paper. Some words and sentences marked with green highlighter.