Shāhanshāh (Governor): 
The Imperial State of Afsharid Persia
WA Delegate (non-executive): 
The Republic of The Turkish-State (elected )
Founder: 
The Imperial State of Afsharid Persia
Last WA Update:
Embassies: The Great Universe, Historia Novorum, The Illuminati, International sovereignty pact, Turkic Union, Bus Stop, CISB, Portugal, Commonwealth of Liberty, Imperial Fatherland, The Coalition of Democratic Nations, Union Mundial, The Bar on the corner of every region, nasunia, Official European Union, Island Of Union, and 122 others.Altay, Union of Justice, The New Horizon, The Dawn of Unity, South pacific gyre, The Universal Order of Nations, Urana Firma, Democritus, New World Union, Novus Lucidum, The Democratic Republic, New West Indies, Africa, Latinoamerica Libre, 404 Not Found, Purgatory, Iranian Islamic Republic, Chicken overlords, Free Market Federation, Rejuvenia, The Reich, Lezra, Fredonia, Samoa, The World Rearranged, Ethiopia, Enadia, United States of America, Turkiye, United Arab Emirates, Mongolia, The Alterran Republic, Azure Watester Federation, The Allied Republic, Deutschland, Organization of United Sovereign States, Abydos, United Christian Empires of the West, The Democratic Commonwealth, Krillin, The Border Commune, Cape of Good Hope, Pax Britannia, Oneid, The Monarchy alliance, Tarkin, United League of Nations, Region Name, Zentari, New Coalition of Nations, First World Order, The Meme Must Go On, East Asia, Elvarya, The Arab League, The Embassy, matheo, Home Depot, Guinea Kiribati, Placeholder, The Western Isles, Lewisham, Lardyland, Montrandecs Neighbours, North Africa, Regionless, Union de Naciones Latinas e Ibericas, Little Paradise, Crown of Victoria, Blackstar, nya Skandinavien, mutual cooperation alliance, Regionistan, Islamic Commonwealth, Liberty Democratic Alliance, Greater Ixnay, Raxulan Empire, Archai, CISB Reforged, Veltric Union, Violetia, Hurricane 12, Prahltopia, Union of Nova Universo, Consigahrian Imperial Protectorates, Allied Nations Treaty Organization, Pacific Western Alliance, Nordic Lands, The Conservative Democracies, Historopolis, Lascandrish alliance, Kerala, Panjshir Valley, Iran, 001 Alpha Prime, 2022 RP Region, The Sewers on the Corner of Every Region, Kommuland, Serovski Mir 2022, Yajib, Old Zealand, Trashland, Quarantine Zone, Mitteleuropa, Circumference, The United Mapgame Nations, United Kingdom of Islam Indonesion, Gwelchbodia, The Persian Empire, NATO 2022, Moscow Kremlin, Philippines, Interbellum RP, Hyperborea, Land of Europa, Council of Nations, Aura, United Confederation of Planets, UEPU, Winds of Change, Ensio, and The Last Horizon.
Tags: General Assembly, Human-Only, Large, Map, Modern Tech, Offsite Chat, Regional Government, Role Player, Security Council, Serious, and Sports.
Regional Power: Moderate
Greater Middle East contains 73 nations, the 391st most in the world.
Activity • History • Administration
Today's World Census Report
The Largest Furniture Restoration Industry in Greater Middle East
World Census analysts spend quiet weekends in the countryside in order to determine which nations have the largest Furniture Restoration industries.
As a region, Greater Middle East is ranked 7,257th in the world for Largest Furniture Restoration Industry.
 | Nation | WA Category | Motto | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. |  The Romania of Lemlar | Civil Rights Lovefest | “Fides Est Regni Tutela” | |
| 2. | The Imperial State of Afsharid Persia | Inoffensive Centrist Democracy | “Long Live Persia! | !زنده باد ایران” | |
| 3. |  The United Arab Republic of Abu Arabia | Psychotic Dictatorship | “أعظم أمة هي الأمة العربية” | |
| 4. |  The Rogue Nation of BSN27 | Iron Fist Consumerists | “A lo áspero por las estrellas” | |
| 5. |  The United Kingdom of The Netherlaands | Anarchy | “Je Maintiendrai” | |
| 6. |  The Federation of Australia of The Australis Republic | New York Times Democracy | “Advance Australia” | |
| 7. |  The Kingdom of The Bahraini State | Corporate Police State | “Our Bahrain | بحريننا” | |
| 8. |  The Republic of South Africa3 | Civil Rights Lovefest | “ǃke e꞉ ǀxarra ǁke | Unity in Diversity” | |
| 9. |  The Dravida Nadu of Sudesam | New York Times Democracy | “Givenchy (What?) Givenchy, Givenchy, Givenchy” | |
| 10. |  The United States of Peredniy | Moralistic Democracy | “In God We Trust” |
1234. . .78»
Regional Happenings
- : New angkor ceased to exist.
- : Embassy cancelled between The golden caliphate and Greater Middle East.
- :
The Republic of Central-Asian Union arrived from The UMNS.
- :
The Federal Republic of Tuurkestan departed this region for Rejected Realms.
- : The Federal Republic of Tuurkestan arrived from The West Pacific.
- :
The Federation of Central-Asian Republics arrived from The South Pacific.
- : Russ-ia ceased to exist.
- :
The Armed Federal Technocracy of Egyptian Arabia of the region The Grand Patriot Empire of Algerheaven proposed constructing embassies.
- : Iraaqi ceased to exist.
- :
The Dictatorship of The Tajik Republic arrived from Osiris.
Greater Middle East Regional Message Board
Loading...- Taking Advantage of a Vulnerable Bully
Australia joins PACTO in military drills in the South China Sea during a period of instability for the PRC
21 November
Australia has send several ships to conduct naval drills off the coast of the Philippines to assert the island nation's legitimate claim over parts of the South China Sea. En route to Naval Base Palawan, Anzac-class frigates NSA Arunta and NSA Warramunga will be joined by Huon-class minehunter NSA Diamantina, Collins-class submarines NSA Sheean and NSA Farncomb, Supply-class replenisher NSA Stalwart, and Capital-class NSA Adelaide.
This comes at a time where the People's Republic of China is at it's weakest. The death of then-Chinese President Xi Jinping has led to an internal struggle that has forced the PRC to take a break from international conquests to reflect deeply and consider it's future. While Australia initally decided against dangerous stunts near the Asian superpower, President Tony Abbott (also Commander-in-Chief of the Australian Defence Force) claimed that "there was no greater time to force [China's] hand than right now." The President has confirmed, however, that this is simply "letting [China] know that the Philippines have a legitimate claim to water that [China] does not" and that China's "nine dash folklore means nothing." He also warned that "a jellyfish can still sting you long after it has been taken out of the water" and that "a wounded dragon will still bite," claiming that PACTO's upcoming drills in the South China Sea are not provocative.
Palawan will serve as PACTO's base, where Australia join host nations Philippines as well as Central America and South Korea. The drills will confirm the Philippine's legitimate claims over the South China Sea while also pushing back against the illegitimate claims of the PRC over the South China Sea. With a typhoon set to hit the Philippines and another in Central America within the next month, Australia is expected to send aid and search and rescue efforts as part of the Pacific Emergency Response Directorate (PERD) with the Pacific Alliance (TPA).
- 2024 AFL National Draft: Round 1
The clubs get their hands on some new recruits
21 November
- The teams players are recruited from are listed as Major/Community Club. An [x] notes where a recruited player was not playing at a Major or Commuity club when drafted. Note that where not mentioned, 'Major' clubs are part of the Talent League.
Pick 1: Richmond, Sam Lalor (Greater Western Victoria Rebels/Bacchus Marsh), Midfielder/forward
Pick 2: North Melbourne, Flynn O'Sullivan (Oakleigh Chargers/Koroit), Midfielder
Pick 3: Carlton, Jagga Smith (Oakleigh Chargers/Richmond), Midfielder
Pick 4: Adelaide, Sid Draper (South Adelaide SANFL/Willunga), Midfielder
Pick 5: Brisbane, Levi Ashcroft (Sandringham Dragons/Old Brighton), Midfielder/forward
Pick 6: Melbourne, Harvey Langford (Dandenong Stingrays/Mount Martha), Midfielder
Pick 7: Richmond, Josh Smillie (Eastern Ranges/Park Orchards), Midfielder
Pick 8: St Kilda, Tobie Travaglia (Bendigo Pioneers/Sandhurst), Defender/midfielder
Pick 9: Gold Coast, Leo Lombard (Gold Coast NEAFL/Broadbeach), Midfielder
Pick 10: St Kilda, Alix Tauru (Gippsland Power/Warragul Industrials), Tall defender
Pick 11: Melbourne, Xavier Lindsay (Gippsland Power/Inverloch-Kongwak and Leongatha), Midfielder
Pick 12: Richmond, Taj Hotton (Sandringham Dragons/Hampton Rovers), Midfielder/forward
Pick 13: Essendon, Isaac Kako (Calder Cannons/Northern Saints), Forward
Pick 14: Richmond, Jont Faull (GWV Rebels/Redan), Tall forward
Pick 15: Port Adelaide, Joe Berry (Murray Bushrangers/Wangaratta), Forward
Pick 16: West Coast, Bo Allan (Peel Thunder WAFL/Halls Head), Defender/midfielder
Pick 17: Fremantle, Murphy Reid (Sandringham Dragons/South Melbourne Districts), Midfielder/forward
Pick 18: Greater Western Sydney, Ollie Hannaford (GWV Rebels/Sandhurst), Forward
Pick 19: GWS, Harrison Oliver (Sandringham Dragons/St Bede's-Mentone), Medium defender
Pick 20: Bulldogs, Cooper Hynes (Dandenong Stingrays/Bonbeach), Midfielder/forward
Pick 21: Richmond, Luke Trainor (Sandringham Dragons/Old Brighton), Defender
Pick 22: Sydney, Jesse Dattoli (Northern Knights/Heidelberg), Midfielder/forward
Pick 23: Richmond, Harry Armstrong (Sandringham Dragons/Ormond), Tall forward
Pick 24: GWS, Cody Angove (Claremont WAFL/Scarborough)
Pick 25: Brisbane, Sam Marshall (Sandringham/Kawana Park and Old Melbournians), Midfielder
Pick 26: Sydney, Ned Bowman (Norwood SANFL/Orroroo), Forward
Pick 27: North Melbourne, Matt Whitlock (Murray Bushrangers/Shepparton VFL), Tall forward/defender
Immediacy of Elections
With the election of Maia Sandu in Moldova and the recent election of George Simion in Romania, both presidents could begin formal unification talks which both had campaigned on. Sandu, who's party was a bit more hesitant in unification had been visited by members of the AUR political party to offer support based on the conditions of adding unification talks to their platform. Sandu had agreed and ultimately won in a second round. Simion having won in the second round as well had begun to bolster support for his own party to take the steps necessary to form the government as parliamentary elections were taking place at the same time. Simion also had privately met with members of the House of Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen, the former monarchs of the nation, to come and resume their monarchy upon unification to provide a strong presence that Romanians all over would be happy to accept. A separate poll was taken among Moldovan voters and while fewer voters would want the monarchy back a slim majority would be ok under certain terms including ensuring that Moldova is not neglected upon it's reabsorption into the greater Romanian nation. While those proceedings were occurring Simion would be inaugurated and begin to help guide the parliament to form government. Sandu on the other hand would not have to do so as the Moldovan parliament really did not show much change other than some gaining or losing one or two seats more. Sandu and Simion also would formally meet to discuss goals out of the unification talks and would soon present said reports to their two nations in the form of referenda on any major points. Gagauzia and Transnistria also would be assumed into Romania and they too would request access to one or two unification talks to ensure that they don't find themselves fully sidelined.
- 2024 AFL National Draft: Rounds 2-8
Second and final night of the AFL National Draft
21 November 2024 (Backdated)
Pick 28: Richmond, Tom Sims (Northern Knights/Montmorency), Tall forward
Pick 29: Bulldogs, Lachie Jaques (Geelong Falcons/St. Mary's), Medium defender
Pick 30: West Coast, Jobe Shanahan (Bendigo Pioneers/Moama), Tall forward
Pick 31: Bulldogs, Josh Dolan (Sandringham Dragons/Beaurmaris), Small forward
Pick 32: St Kilda, James Barrat (Bendigo Pioneers/Leitchville-Gunbower), Tall utility
Pick 33: Port Adelaide, Jack Whitlock (Murray Bushrangers/Shepparton VFL), Tall forward/ruck
Pick 34: Fremantle, Charlie Nicholls (Central District SANFL/Min-Man), Tall utility
Pick 35: Hawthorn, Noah Mraz (Dandenong Stingrays/Noble Park), Tall defender
Pick 36: GWS Giants, Jack Ough (Greater Western Victoria Rebels/Wentworth), Wing/midfielder
Pick 37: Essendon, Kayle Gerreyn (West Perth WAFL/Jonndalup-Kinross), Tall forward/ruck
Pick 38: Port Adelaide, Christian Moraes (Eastern Ranges/Knox), Utility
Pick 39: Essendon, Angus Clarke (Glenelg SANFL/East Gambier), Medium defender
Pick 40: Carlton, Harry O'Farrell (Calder Cannons/Maribyrnong Park), Tall defender
Pick 41: Sydney, Riley Bice (Beechworth VFL/Albury Tigers), Medium Defender
Pick 42: Brisbane, Ty Gallop (Maroochydoore QAFL), Key forward
Pick 43: Carlton, Ben Camporeale (Glenelg SANFL/Brighton Districts & Old Scholars), midfielder
Pick 44: Geelong, Jay Polkinghorn (Norwood SANFL), Midfielder
Pick 45: St Kilder, Hugh Boxshall (Claremont WAFL/Swanbourne), Midfielder
Pick 46: West Coast, Tomm Gross (Oakleigh Chargers/Old Trinity Grammarians), Midfielder
Pick 47: Collingwood, Joel Cochran (Sydney NEAFL), Key defender
Pick 48: West Coast, Lucca Grego (Western Jets/Keilor), Midfielder/medium defender
Pick 49: Gold Coast, Cooper Bell (GWS NEAFL), Cooper Bell
Pick 50: Collingwood, Charlie West (Woodville-West Torrens SANFL), Key forward
Pick 51: Bulldogs, Sam Davidson (Richmond VFL), Medium forward
Pick 52: Geelong, Jacob Molier (Sturt SANFL), Ruck
Pick 53: St Kilda, Zlex Dodson (Sturt SANFL/Payneham), Ruck
Pick 54: Carlton, Lucas Camporeale (Glenelg SANFL/Brighton Districts & Old Scholars), Wing
Pick 55: Sydney, Riak Andrew (Dandenong VFL) Key defender
Pick 56: Collingwood, Will Hayes (Claremont SANFL/Subiaco), Wing/small forward
Pick 57: North Melbourne, Luke Urquhart (East Fremantle WAFL/Melville), Midfielder
Pick 58: Richmond, Jasper Alger (Oakleigh Chargers/Warragul), Medium forward
Pick 59: Adelaide Crows, Tyler Welsh (Woodville-West Torrens SANFL/Adelaide SANFL.Henley), Tall forward
Pick 60: St Kilda, Patrick Said (Calder Cannons), Midfielder
Pick 61: Essendon, Rhys Unwin (Greater Western Victoria Rebels), Forward
Pick 62: Bulldogs, Luke Kennedy (Sandringham Dragons), Midfielder
Pick 63: Fremantle, Cody Anderson (South Fremantle WAFL), Forward
Carlton (Pass)
Pick 64: Hawthorn, Cody Anderson (Eastern Ranges/Healesville), Midfielder
Brisbane (Pass)
Pick 65: West Coast, Hamish Davis (Claremont WAFL/Subiaco), Medium forward
Pick 66: Geelong, Lennox Hofmann (Sandringham Dragons/Old Brighton Grammarians), Medium defender
Hawthorn (pass)
Pick 67: North Melbourne, River Stevens (Geelong Falcons/Newtown & Chilwell), Small forward
Wesrt Coast (Pass)
Adelaide (Pass)
Pick 68: Melbourne, Aidan Johnson (Beechworth VFL/Lavington), Key forward
St Kilda, Fremantle, and Collingwood (Pass)
Pick 69: Geelong, Keighton Matofai-Forbes (Western Jets), Forward
North Melbourne, West Coast, Sydney, Richmond, West Coast, and Gold Coast
Pick 70: Essendon, Zak Johnson (Northern Knights/St Mary's), Medium defender
Pick 71: GWS, Logan Smith (GWS NEAFL/Queanbeyan), Ruck
West Coast, Essendon, GWS (Pass)
Noticias Caracol
OPINION: The FRN's alliance with the far-right is dangerous
Two weeks ago, the FRN's leaders in the Federal Assembly, incoming House President David Barguil and Senate President Marta Lucía Ramirez, announced a coalition with the far-right splinter group, the Patriotic Front. On paper, the alliance allows the conservative opposition to be effective against President Gustavo Petro and largely render him a lame-duck president for the rest of the term. Further, it will allow them to initiate an investigation into possible campaign finance violations by the President and his handling of the killing of 14 soldiers by the ELN guerilla group.
Below the surface, however, this alliance will only serve to embolden the far-right and possibly enable it to contest the presidency in 2026. The Patriotic Front is using the FRN as a vehicle for its political ambitions. The Patriotic Front has already pushed the FRN to the right on many issues, including crime and federalism, and talks of a joint conservative primary process further emboldens the far-right and sets up the possibility that the joint conservative candidate is a member of the far-right in the image of Donald Trump and Nayib Bukele.
The FRN must tread carefully and ensure they remain in the driver's seat in this mistaken partnership. This is what happened to the liberal group, Alliance, following the rise of Petro. Alliance entered into a partnership with Petro following Petro's defeat in the 2018 General Election. At that time, Alliance was the second-largest political force in the nation, now Alliance is in a distant third place behind Petro's Progressive Unity Front and the FRN. In order to avoid this result , the FRN needs to avoid an electoral alliance going into the 2026 Presidential Elections or it will face the same takeover faced by Alliance.
- 2025 Dysons VFL-R Premiership Seaon Fixture Released
The Fixture for next year's VFL Regional Conference released early
29 November
The 2025 Dyson's VFL-R Premiership Season Fixture has been released today, providing as much advance for fans and players who will have to travel large distances as possible. The Metropolitan fixture will be released some time next year. The VFL will begin the same weekend as AFL's Round One and will finish two weeks prior to the AFL, giving time for a pre finals and pre grand finals bye before the AFL Grand Final if necessary.
The competition will kick off on Thursday 13th of March at 7:30pm between both Ballarat-based teams. The Swans will host the game at Mars (Eureka) Stadium, which is typically North Ballarat's home ground but has the largest capacity of any football ground in the Ballarat region. This will also test the viability of Ballarat using Mars Stadium instead of City Oval for larger-capacity games such as against Bendigo or Beechworth.
Several notable changes have been made, largely in terms of home venues. The first has already been mentioned, that Ballarat is trialling the use of Mars Stadium. Due to upgrades at Baarmutha Park, Beechworth will be competing out of Woolworths Stadium in Bonegilla, Wodonga. Fish Creek will host a game in Korrumburra, Leongatha, and Foster. Mallee have changed both home grounds with their main home ground moving across the road from Alan Garden Reserve to Swan Hill Showgrounds Recreation Reserve, and it's secondary Mildura ground from Mildura Recreation Reserve to a brand new facility at the Mildura Sporting Precinct. The Hoppers have moved north to Norm Minns Oval in Wangaratta. It is a more established and developed AFL-grade oval within a significantly larger township (Moyhu only has a population of 430 people, Wangaratta is over 30,000).
Beechworth has also dropped the 'Bushrangers' from their name, changing to 'Rangers' but prefering to use the less descript 'Beechworth Football Club.' This is a move somewhat similar to the Hoppers, who informally dropped 'Moyhu' from their name at the start of this year when they started to develop stronger ties with Wangaratta and the wider region.
Below is the VFL-R fixture for next year.
Thursday 13 March, 7:30pmBallarat vs. North Ballarat
-
TEAM by X
Mars (Eureka) Stadium, Wendouree
Friday 14 March, 7:40pmGippsland vs. Fish Creek
-
TEAM by X
Morwell Recreation Reserve
Saturday 15 March, 1:00pmShepparton vs. Romsey
-
TEAM by X
Deakin Reserve
Saturday 15 March, 4:00pmMallee vs. Eagles
-
TEAM by X
Swan Hill Showgrounds Recreation Reserve
Saturday 15 March, 7:00pmWarrnambool vs. Geelong
-
TEAM by X
Reid Oval
Sunday 16 March, 1:00pmHoppers vs. Nathalia
-
TEAM by X
Norm Minns Oval, Wangaratta
Sunday 16 March, 3:00pmEchuca vs. Nagambie
-
TEAM by X
Echuca South Recreation Reserve
Sunday 16 March, 7:00pmBeechworth vs. Bendigo
-
TEAM by X
Woolworths (Lakeside) Stadium, Bonegilla
Friday 21 March, 7:30pmHoppers vs. Shepparton
-
TEAM by X
Norm Minns Oval, Wangaratta
Saturday 22 March, 12:00pmNagambie vs. Mallee
-
TEAM by X
Nagambie Recreation Reserve
Saturday 22 March, 1:00pmBendigo vs. Gippsland
-
TEAM by X
Upper Reserve
Saturday 22 March, 4:00pmEagles vs. Echuca
-
TEAM by X
Horsham City Oval
Saturday 22 March, 7:00pmBeechworth vs. Warrnambool
-
TEAM by X
Woolworths (Lakeside) Stadium, Bonegilla
Sunday 23 March, 1:15pmFish Creek vs. Ballarat
-
TEAM by X
John Terrill Memorial Park
Sunday 23 March, 3:00pmRomsey vs. Nathalia
-
TEAM by X
Romsey Recreation Reserve
Sunday 23 March, 6:00pmNorth Ballarat vs. Geelong
-
TEAM by X
Mars (Eureka) Stadium, Wendouree
Friday 28 March, 7:30pmBendigo vs. Romsey
-
TEAM by X
Upper Reserve
Saturday 29 March, 1:30pmEchuca vs. Fish Creek
-
TEAM by X
Echuca South Recreation Reserve
Saturday 29 March, 3:15pmGeelong vs. Nagambie
-
TEAM by X
GMHBA Stadium (Kardinia Park)
Saturday 29 March, 4:00pmNorth Ballarat vs. Eagles
-
TEAM by X
Mars (Eureka) Stadium, Wendouree
Saturday 29 March, 7:00pmWarrnambool vs. Ballarat
-
TEAM by X
Reid Oval
Sunday 30 March, 1:00pmMallee vs. Hoppers
-
TEAM by X
Swan Hill Showgrounds Recreation Reserve
Sunday 30 March, 3:00pmNathalia vs. Gippsland
-
TEAM by X
Nathalia Showgrounds
Sunday 30 March, 6:00pmBeechworth vs. Shepparton
-
TEAM by X
Woolworths (Lakeside) Stadium, Bonegilla
Friday 4 April, 7:00pmNorth Ballarat vs. Bendigo
-
TEAM by X
Mars (Eureka) Stadium, Wendouree
Saturday 12 April, 12:00pmMallee vs. Nathalia
-
TEAM by X
Mildura Sporting Precinct
Saturday 12 April, 2:00pmFish Creek vs. Warrnambool
-
TEAM by X
Korumburra Showgrounds
Saturday 12 April, 5:00pmGeelong vs. Gippsland
-
TEAM by X
GMHBA Stadium (Kardinia Park)
Saturday 12 April, 8:00pmBeechworth vs. Ballarat
-
TEAM by X
Woolworths (Lakeside) Stadium, Bonegilla
Sunday 6 April, 1:00pmNagambie vs. Hoppers
-
TEAM by X
Nagambie Recreation Reserve
Sunday 6 April, 1:30pmEagles vs. Romsey
-
TEAM by X
Alexandra Oval, Ararat
Sunday 6 April, 3:30pmShepparton vs. Echuca
-
TEAM by X
Deakin Reserve
Friday 11 April, 7:30pmBendigo vs. Eagles
-
TEAM by X
Upper Reserve
Saturday 12 April, 12:00pmNathalia vs. Geelong
-
TEAM by X
Nathalia Showgrounds
Saturday 12 April, 2:00pmEchuca vs. Warrnambool
-
TEAM by X
Echuca South Recreation Reserve
Saturday 12 April, 4:30pmFish Creek vs. Shepparton
-
TEAM by X
John Terrill Memorial Park
Saturday 12 April, 6:15pmBeechworth vs. Mallee
-
TEAM by X
Woolworths (Lakeside) Stadium, Bonegilla
Sunday 13 April, 12:00pmGippsland vs. Hoppers
-
TEAM by X
Bairnsdale City Oval
Sunday 13 April, 3:00pmBallarat vs. Romsey
-
TEAM by X
Alfredton Recreation Reserve
Sunday 13 April, 6:00pmNorth Ballarat vs. Nagambie
-
TEAM by X
Mars (Eureka) Stadium, Wendouree
Thursday 17 April, 7:30pmBallarat vs. Geelong
-
TEAM by X
Ballarat City Oval, Lake Wendouree
Friday 18 April, 6:15pmNorth Ballarat vs. Fish Creek
-
TEAM by X
Mars (Eureka) Stadium, Wendouree
Saturday 19 April, 12:00pmEagles vs. Nagambie
-
TEAM by X
Alexandra Oval, Ararat
Saturday 19 April, 2:15pmEchuca vs. Mallee
-
TEAM by X
Echuca South Recreation Reserve
Saturday 19 April, 6:30pmGippsland vs. Beechworth
-
TEAM by X
Morwell Recreation Reserve
Sunday 20 April, 2:00pmRomsey vs. Hoppers
-
TEAM by X
Romsey Recreation Reserve
Sunday 20 April, 5:00pmNathalia vs. Shepparton
-
TEAM by X
Nathalia Showgrounds
Monday 21 April, 4:45pmWarrnambool vs. Bendigo
-
TEAM by X
Reid Oval
Friday 25 April, 2:45pmGippsland vs. Ballarat
-
TEAM by X
Bairnsdale City Oval
Friday 25 April, 7:00pmNorth Ballarat vs. Warrnambool
-
TEAM by X
Mars (Eureka) Stadium, Wendouree
Saturday 26 April, 1:00pmNathalia vs. Echuca
-
TEAM by X
Nathalia Showgrounds
Saturday 26 April, 4:00pmBendigo vs. Fish Creek
-
TEAM by X
Upper Reserve
Saturday 26 April, 7:00pmGeelong vs. Beechworth
-
TEAM by X
GMHBA Stadium (Kardinia Park)
Sunday 27 April, 12:00pmShepparton vs. Mallee
-
TEAM by X
Deakin Reserve
Sunday 27 April, 3:00pmEagles vs. Hoppers
-
TEAM by X
Alexandra Oval, Ararat
Sunday 27 April, 4:30pmNagambie vs. Romsey
-
TEAM by X
Nagambie Recreation Reserve
Friday 2 May, 7:30pmNagambie vs. Bendigo
-
TEAM by X
Nagambie Recreation Reserve
Saturday 3 May, 12:00pmWarrnambool vs. Romsey
-
TEAM by X
Reid Oval
Saturday 3 May, 2:15pmFish Creek vs. Eagles
-
TEAM by X
Leongatha Recreation Reserve
Saturday 3 May, 3:00pmBallarat vs. Shepparton
-
TEAM by X
Alfredton Recreation Reserve
Saturday 3 May, 7:00pmBeechworth vs. Nathalia
-
TEAM by X
Woolworths (Lakeside) Stadium, Bonegilla
Sunday 4 May, 1:15pmNorth Ballarat vs. Mallee
-
TEAM by X
Mars (Eureka) Stadium, Wendouree
Sunday 4 May, 2:30pmHoppers vs. Geelong
-
TEAM by X
Norm Minns Oval
Sunday 4 May, 1:15pmGippsland vs. Echuca
-
TEAM by X
Morwell Recreation Reserve
Friday 9 May, 7:15pmBendigo vs. Ballarat
-
TEAM by X
Upper Reserve
Saturday 10 May, 12:00pmMallee vs. Romsey
-
TEAM by X
Swan Hill Showgrounds Recreation Reserve
Saturday 10 May, 1:00pmEchuca vs. Hoppers
-
TEAM by X
Echuca South Recreation Reserve
Saturday 10 May, 4:15pmFish Creek vs. Geelong
-
TEAM by X
John Terrill Memorial Park
Saturday 10 May, 7:30pmBeechworth vs. North Ballarat
-
TEAM by X
Woolworths (Lakeside) Stadium, Bonegilla
Sunday 11 May, 12:00pmShepparton vs. Eagles
-
TEAM by X
Deakin Reserve
Sunday 11 May, 3:00pmGippsland vs. Warrnambool
-
TEAM by X
Morwell Recreation Reserve
Sunday 11 May, 6:00pmNagambie vs. Nathalia
-
TEAM by X
Nagambie Recreation Reserve
Saturday 17 May, 1:00pmEchuca vs. North Ballarat
-
TEAM by X
Echuca South Recreation Reserve
Saturday 17 May, 4:00pmMallee vs. Geelong
-
TEAM by X
Swan Hill Showgrounds Recreation Reserve
Saturday 17 May, 7:00pmBendigo vs. Shepparton
-
TEAM by X
Upper Reserve
Sunday 25 May, 12:00pmRomsey vs. Gippsland
-
TEAM by X
Romsey Recreation Reserve
Sunday 25 May, 3:00pmWarrnambool vs. Nagambie
-
TEAM by X
Reid Oval
Sunday 25 May, 6:00pmBeechworth vs. Hoppers
-
TEAM by X
Woolworths (Lakeside) Stadium, Bonegilla
Saturday 24 May, 1:00pmBallarat vs. Echuca
-
TEAM by X
Alfredton Recreation Reserve
Saturday 24 May, 4:00pmNagambie vs. Beechworth
-
TEAM by X
Nagambie Recreation Reserve
Saturday 24 May, 7:00pmHoppers vs. Warrnambool
-
TEAM by X
Norm Minns Oval, Wangaratta
Sunday 25 May, 12:00pmFish Creek vs. Romsey
-
TEAM by X
John Terrill Memorial Park
Sunday 25 May, 3:00pmEagles vs. Gippsland
-
TEAM by X
Alexandra Oval, Ararat
Sunday 25 May, 6:00pmNathalia vs. Bendigo
-
TEAM by X
Nathalia Showgrounds
Saturday 31 May, 1:00pmMallee vs. Fish Creek
-
TEAM by X
Swan Hill Showgrounds Recreation Reserve
Saturday 31 May, 4:00pmGeelong vs. Echuca
-
TEAM by X
GMHBA Stadium (Kardinia Park)
Saturday 31 May, 7:00pmBendigo vs. Hoppers
-
TEAM by X
Upper Reserve
Sunday 1 June, 12:00pmShepparton vs. Warrnambool
-
TEAM by X
Deakin Reserve
Sunday 1 June, 3:00pmBallarat vs. Eagles
-
TEAM by X
Alfredton Recreation Reserve
Sunday 1 June, 6:00pmNorth Ballarat vs. Nathalia
-
TEAM by X
Mars (Eureka) Stadium
Saturday 7 June, 1:00pmGippsland vs. Mallee
-
TEAM by X
Morwell Recreation Reserve
Saturday 7 June, 4:00pmRomsey vs. North Ballarat
-
TEAM by X
Romsey Recreation Reserve
Saturday 7 June, 7:00pmBeechworth vs. Fish Creek
-
TEAM by X
Woolworths (Eureka) Stadium
Sunday 8 June, 12:00pmShepparton vs. Geelong
-
TEAM by X
Deakin Reserve
Sunday 8 June, 3:00pmEagles vs. Nathalia
-
TEAM by X
Alexandra Oval, Ararat
Sunday 8 June, 6:00pmNagambie vs. Ballarat
-
TEAM by X
Nagambie Recreation Reserve
Friday 13 June, 7:00pmBallarat vs. Gippsland
-
TEAM by X
[sup]Ballarat City Oval, Lake Wendouree
Saturday 14 June, 12:00pmHoppers v.s Eagles
-
TEAM by X
Norm Minns Oval, Wangaratta
Saturday 14 June, 1:30pmWarrnambool vs. North Ballarat
-
TEAM by X
Reid Oval
Saturday 14 June, 3:30pmBendigo vs. Fish Creek
-
TEAM by X
Upper Reserve
Saturday 14 June, 7:30pmBeechworth vs. Geelong
-
TEAM by X
Woolworths (Lakeside) Stadium, Bonegilla
Sunday 15 June, 1:00pmRomsey vs. Nagambie
-
TEAM by X
Romsey Recreation Reserve
Sunday 15 June, 2:15pmMallee vs. Shepparton
-
TEAM by X
Swan Hill Showgrounds Recreation Reserve
Sunday 15 June, 3:30pmEchuca vs. Nathalia
-
TEAM by X
Echuca South Recreation Reserve
Friday 20 June, 7:30pmBallarat vs. Hoppers
-
TEAM by X
Ballarat City Oval, Lake Wendouree
Saturday 21 June, 12:00pmEagles vs. Beechworth
-
TEAM by X
Alexandra Oval, Ararat
Saturday 21 June, 2:00pmGeelong vs. Bendigo
-
TEAM by X
GMHBA Stadium (Kardinia Park)
Saturday 21 June, 4:00pmWarrnambool vs. Mallee
-
TEAM by X
Reid Oval
Saturday 21 June, 7:00pmNorth Ballarat vs. Gippsland
-
TEAM by X
Mars (Eureka) Stadium, Wendouree
Sunday 22 June, 12:30pmNathalia vs. Fish Creek
-
TEAM by X
Nathalia Showgrounds
Sunday 22 June, 2:00pmShepparton vs. Nagambie
-
TEAM by X
Deakin Reserve
Sunday 22 June, 3:15pmRomsey vs. Echuca
-
TEAM by X
Romsye Recreation Reserve
Friday 27 June, 7:30pmGeelong vs. Ballarat
-
TEAM by X
GMHBA Stadium (Kardinia Park)
Saturday 28 June, 1:00pmMallee vs. Echuca
-
TEAM by X
Swan Hill Showgrounds Recreation Reserve
Saturday 28 June, 2:30pmHoppers vs. Romsey
-
TEAM by X
Norm Minns Oval, Wangaratta
Saturday 28 June, 6:15pmNagambie vs. Eagles
-
TEAM by X
Nagambie Recreation Reserve
Saturday 28 June, 7:30pmBeechworth vs. Gippsland
-
TEAM by X
Woolworths (Lakeside) Stadium, Bonegilla
Sunday 29 June, 1:15pmShepparton vs. Nathalia
-
TEAM by X
Deakin Reserve
Sunday 29 June, 2:00pmFish Creek vs. North Ballarat
-
TEAM by X
John Terrill Memorial Park
Sunday 29 June, 5:00pmBendigo vs. Warrnambool
-
TEAM by X
Upper Reserve
Friday 4 July, 7:30pmEchuca vs. Bendigo
-
TEAM by X
Echuca South Recreation Reserve
Saturday 5 July, 1:45pmFish Creek vs. Nagambie
-
TEAM by X
John Terrill Memorial Park
Saturday 5 July, 3:00pmMallee vs. Ballarat
-
TEAM by X
Mildura Sporting Precinct
Saturday 5 July, 5:15pmEagles vs. Geelong
-
TEAM by X
Horsham City Oval
Saturday 5 July, 7:30pmHoppers vs. North Ballarat
-
TEAM by X
Norm Minns Oval, Wangaratta
Sunday 13 July, 12:45pmWarrnambool vs. Nathalia
-
TEAM by X
Reid Oval
Sunday 13 July, 1:30pmRomsey vs. Beechworth
-
TEAM by X
Romsey Recreation Reserve
Sunday 13 July, 5:00pmGippsland vs. Shepparton
-
TEAM by X
Morwell Recreation Reserve
Friday 11 July, 7:30pmBallarat vs. Bendigo
-
TEAM by X
Ballarat City Oval, Lake Wendouree
Saturday 12 July, 12:00pmNathalia vs. Nagambie
-
TEAM by X
Nathalia Showgrounds
Saturday 12 July, 1:00pmEagles vs. Shepparton
-
TEAM by X
Alexandra Oval, Ararat
Saturday 12 July, 4:00pmWarrnambool vs. Gippsland
-
TEAM by X
Reid Oval
Saturday 12 July, 7:30pmNorth Ballarat vs. Beechworth
-
TEAM by X
Mars (Eureka) Stadium
Sunday 13 July, 12:45pmHoppers vs. Echuca
-
TEAM by X
Norm Minns Oval, Wangaratta
Sunday 13 July, 1:30pmRomsey vs. Mallee
-
TEAM by X
Romsey Recreation Reserve
Sunday 13 July, 5:00pmGeelong vs. Fish Creek
-
TEAM by X
GMHBA Stadium (Kardinia Park)
Friday 18 July, 7:30pmGeelong vs. North Ballarat
-
TEAM by X
GMHBA Stadium (Kardinia Park)
Saturday 19 July, 12:00pmEchuca vs. Eagles
-
TEAM by X
Echuca South Recreation Reserve
Saturday 19 July, 1:00pmBallarat vs. Fish Creek
-
TEAM by X
Alfredton Recreation Reserve
Saturday 19 July, 4:00pmGippsland vs. Bendigo
-
TEAM by X
Morwell Recreation Reserve
Saturday 19 July, 7:00pmWarrnambool vs. Beechworth
-
TEAM by X
Reid Oval
Sunday 27 July, 1:30pmShepparton vs. Hoppers
-
TEAM by X
Deakin Reserve
Sunday 27 July, 2:30pmNathalia vs. Romsey
-
TEAM by X
Nathalia Recreation Reserve
Sunday 27 July, 3:30pmMallee vs. Nagambie
-
TEAM by X
Swan Hill Showgrounds Recreation Reserve
Friday 25 July, 7:00pmGeelong vs. Romsey
-
TEAM by X
GMHBA Stadium (Kardinia Park)
Saturday 26 July, 1:00pmFish Creek vs. Hoppers
-
TEAM by X
Foster Showgrounds
Saturday 26 July, 3:00pmEagles vs. Warrnambool
-
TEAM by X
Horsham City Oval
Saturday 26 July, 5:00pmEchuca vs. Beechworth
-
TEAM by X
Echuca South Recreation Reserve
Saturday 26 July, 7:00pmMallee vs. Bendigo
-
TEAM by X
Mildura Sporting Precinct
Sunday 27 July, 1:30pmNagambie vs. Gippsland
-
TEAM by X
Nagambie Recreation Reserve
Sunday 27 July, 2:30pmShepparton vs. North Ballarat
-
TEAM by X
Deakin Reserve
Sunday 27 July, 3:30pmNathalia vs. Ballarat
-
TEAM by X
Nathalia Showgrounds
Friday 1 August, 7:00pmBallarat vs. Beechworth
-
TEAM by X
Ballarat City Oval. Lake Wendouree
Saturday 2 August, 12:00pmRomsey vs. Eagles
-
TEAM by X
Romsey Recreation Reserve
Saturday 2 August, 1:30pmGippsland vs. Geelong
-
TEAM by X
Morwell Recreation Reserve
Saturday 2 August, 4:30pmWarrnambool vs. Fish Creek
-
TEAM by X
Reid Oval
Saturday 2 August, 7:30pmBendigo vs. North Ballarat
-
TEAM by X
Upper Reserve
Sunday 3 August, 1:15pmEchuca vs. Shepparton
-
TEAM by X
Echuca South Recreation Reserve
Sunday 3 August, 2:30pmHoppers vs. Nagambie
-
TEAM by X
Norm Minns Oval, Wangaratta
Sunday 3 August, 3:00pmNathalia vs. Mallee
-
TEAM by X
Nathalia Showgrounds
Friday 8 August, 7:30pmNorth Ballarat vs. Ballarat
-
TEAM by X
Mars (Eureka) Stadium, Wendouree
Saturday 9 August, 12:00pmRomsey vs. Shepparton
-
TEAM by X
Romsey Recreation Reserve
Saturday 9 August, 12:30pmNagambie vs. Echuca
-
TEAM by X
Nagambie Recreation Reserve
Saturday 9 August, 4:15pmFish Creek vs. Gippsland
-
TEAM by X
John Terrill Memorial Park
Saturday 9 August, 7:15pmGeelong vs. Warrnambool
-
TEAM by X
GMHBA Stadium (Kardinia Park)
Sunday 10 August, 12:00pmEagles vs. Mallee
-
TEAM by X
Horsham City Oval
Sunday 10 August, 3:00pmHoppers vs. Nathalia
-
TEAM by X
Norm Minns Oval, Wangaratta
Sunday 10 August, 6:00pmBendigo vs. Beechworth
-
TEAM by X
Upper Reserve
- "Babies Bite Back" by TISM
An Exciting Final Week in the Senate
30 November
This week, the Australian Senate sat for the final time in 2024, which could possibly be one of the final times the Senate sits ahead of next year's Federal Election (who's date is yet to be confirmed but no later than 26 May). This time of year is always frantic as governments try to get through a number of bills before the end of the year. But this year was particularly interesting, with Australia's least favourite political buffon making a fool out of herself once again.
On Thursday, Senator for Queensland Pauline Hanson of Pauline Hanson's One Nation Party requested that former Labor (now independent) Senator for Western Australia Fatima Payman be put forward to a commission to consider her eligability to sit in the Senate. Senator Payman and her family fled the Taliban to Pakistan when she was five, with her father arriving in Australia by boat and being kept in immigration detention. She moved to Australia in 2003 when she was 8 and has resided in Perth ever since.
To be eligable to sit in the Australian Parliament, MPs and Senators must not be citizens of any country other than the Federation of Australia. Several years ago this led to the 2017-18 Australian Parliamentary Eligability Crisis where the High Court of Australia was alerted to as many as 27 politicans being ineligable to sit in either the House of Representatives or the Senate under s 44(i) of the Australian Constitution. These MPs were either disqualified after being deemed ineligable or resigned pre-emptively.
These 13 Senators and MPs were disqualified and replaced in Parliament:
- Sen. Larissa Waters (GRN) - Canadian by birth
Sen. Malcom Roberts (PHONP) - British by birth
Sen. Fiona Nash (NPA) - British by descent
Sen. Stephen Parry (NPA) - British by descent
John Alexander MP (NPA) - British by descent
Sen. Jacqui Lambie (JLN) - British by descent
Sen. Skye Kakoschke-Moore (NXT) - British by descent
Sen. Katy Gallagher (ALP) - British by descent
David Feeney MP (ALP) - British by descent
Justine Keay MP (ALP) - British by descent
Susan Lamb MP (ALP) - British by descent
Josh Wilson MP (ALP) - British by birth
Rebekah Sharkie (CA) - British by birth
Three other politicans who were accused but not disqualified were:
- Sen. Matt Canavan (NPA) who, despite being identified as an Italian citizen by the Italian government, was not disqualified as he had been declared an Italian citizen without his knowledge;
Sen. Fiona Nash (NPA) who renounced her British citizenship (acquired through her Scottish father) before further action could be taken
Sen. Nick Xenophon (NXT) who was initally thought to have had Greek and British citizenship by descent. He had not had Greek citizenship but renounced his British citizenship prior to any further action.
Three other MPs and Senators who resigned or were judged ineligable were:
- Sen. Stephen Parry (NPA) who resigned after finding he held British citizenship by descent
John Alexander MP (NPA) who resigned after finding he held British citizenship by descent
Sen. Katy Gallagher (ALP) who was deemed ineligable after she held British citizenship by descent and possibly held Ecquadorian citizenship by birth
The eligability of Nationals Julia Banks MP, Alex Hawke MP, Sen. Arthur Sinodinos (all Greek by descent), Josh Frydenburg MP (Hungarian by decent), Nola Marino MP (Italian by marriage), Cory Bernadani MP (Italian by descent), Jason Falinski MP (Polish by descent), and Labor MP Anne Aly (Egyptian by birth) have all been questioned, but no futher action was taken.
Senator Payman, who was elected in 2022, was suspected by Senator Hanson to fall into the same categories as these politicans citing a lack of documentation to prove the Western Australian Senator took the appropriate steps to renounced her Afghan citizenship, something that has been difficult seeing as Afghanistan is literally run by terrorists. Payman, understandably, was quite upset with Hanson's accuations, accusing the Queensland Senator of being racist ("If that's not racist, what is?") - a comment later retracted by the Senator.
In protest of the motion to have Senator Payman investigated, former Greens (now Independent) Senator for Victoria Lidia Thorpe tore up the papers, stormed down to Senator Hanson, and threw the papers in her face. This prompted President of the Australian Senate Sue Lines, with the support of both major parties, to dismiss Senator Thorpe for the remainer of the sitting year (Thursday and Friday). Senator Thorpe accepted this by raising her middle finger and leaving the floor.
The following day, Senator Thorpe stood at the entrance to the Senate floor and proceeded to shout 'Always was, always will be! Australia sits on stolen land!' before the Senate doors were closed on her. She moved on to the public gallery and repeated her shouts before being dismissed again. She then faced the media outside of Australian Parliament and made acusations that she was being targeted due to her sex and race, saying that she won't be silenced and again reiterating that Australia is an illigemate state siting on stolen land and oppressing her and her people. She seems to have forgotten that not only is she a Senator for the Federation of Australia but that she also gets paid AU$250,000 because of it.
Senator Thorpe has a history of causing havoc in the poltical sphere. She made headlines in February for a drunken rant in front of a Melbourne nightclub, later that same month for interupting a feminist rally, and other times throughout her relatively short stint in Parliament. She replaced former Greens Senator for Victoria Richard Di Natale in 2020, was re-elected due to her spot on top of the Greens ticket in May 2022. She left the party in February due to the Green's support of the Indigenous Voice to Parliament, which Thorpe objected to due to who knows why. With the federal election coming up next year and Senator Thorpe not being able to rely on the stupidity of Greens voters in Victoria, one can only hope that the goof will not be re-elected in 2025.
- Democracy Manifest
The 170th Anniversary of the Eureka Stockade
4 December
170 years and 1 day ago. 3rd of December 1854. In the goldfields of Ballarat, as many as 150 gold miners stood up against the tyranny of the colonial authorities in a 15 minute slaughter that would change the history of Australia forever.
In 1851, Victoria had become it's own colony, seperate from New South Wales. Convieniently, gold was discovered a few months later and people flocked from all across the world to Victoria's gold mines, which were spread out across the state. One of the biggest gold mining regions was around the western parts of Central Victoria, such as in the town of Ballaarat East (Ballarat).
Miners weren't the only ones cashing in on Victoria's sudden discovery of gold. The Victorian Colonial Government wanted in on these newfound riches as well. People were leaving their jobs in the city to go searching for gold, and the colonial system was suffereing from severe understaffing as a result. That's when Lieutenant-General Charles La Trobe had a brilliant idea... making mining unprofitable. A mining fee was introduced in Victoria, and licencing inspectors ("Digger Hunters") were sent to enforce this new fee. The Digger Hunters, like the Colonial Government of the time, were happy to play dirty. The mining fees were pieces of paper, which would often dissolve or become unreadable when they came in contact with water (a common occurance seeing as panning for gold meant a lot of time in rivers and creeks). Even if someone was found with a mining fee, it wasn't uncommon for a Digger Hunter to 'lose' or damage the fee and fine the miner for not having one. These mining fees were 30 shillings ($AU515.60 or US$332.40 in today's money) a month and the penalty was 6 pounds (AU$1982.45 or US$1282 in today's money) with a threat of imprisionment.
Keep in mind that miners were more often than not low income individuals who had to buy their own tools, way to the goldfields, and accomodation (tents). Gold mining was already unprofitable, and panning for gold was often a last bid attempt at making enough money to survive. They didn't have 30 shillings to give the government every month, let alone the 6 pounds they would inevitably have to give up when they were interogated by the Digger Hunters. On top of this, the workers had no representation in Victoria's Legislative Assembly. Of the 30 members of the Legislative Assembly, only 20 were elected. To vote in these elections, you had to be a Property-owning Male British Subject (who's land was valued at an amount the author could not verify but likely in excess of the modern equivenelt of AU$70,000 which was still a significant amount back then).
Understandably, the miners could only put up with this for so long, and they had finally had enough. In the lead-up to the Eureka Rebellion, miners had gathered 5,000 signatures for Governer La Trobe outlining reasonable limits for taxation among other things (this would be called the Bendigo Petition). Scottish miner James Scobie was murdered at the Eureka Hotel, and his murderer was never charged. It was highly suspected that hotel owner James Bently was responsible, and that the residing police officers were frineds of Bently's. An Armenian servent was also subject to police brutality and false imprisonment for not having a mining license. These two events, among other things, led to miners burning down the Eureka Hotel in October and Victoria deciding to send soilders up to Ballaarat East (Ballarat) to quell increasing tensions.
On 30 November 1954, the Ballarat Reform League (a prominent miner's lobby) gathered and rose the Eureka Flag for the very first time and burnt their miners licences. They proclaimed that "it is the inalienable right of every citizen to have a voice in making the laws he is called upon to obey" and "taxation without representation is tyranny." An oath was sworn and a paramilitary legion begun to form. Hostilities against the Colonial Forces were at a breaking point. 1,000 rebels then marched east to a place called the Eureka lead, where they begun to construct a blockade built from ropes and dismantled horse carts and spare pieces of wood and other materials. This stockade was likely 30x60 metres, and was either rectangular or circular. Some parts of the stockade were allegedly as tall as 7 feet hight.
Peter Lalor, an Irishman, headed the miner's paramilitary rebels. On deciding the name of a password for their fortress, Lalor controversially chose 'Vinegar Hill,' the name of an armed conflict between the British and Irish in 1798. This was deeply controversial, as the author has until now largely understated the impact of the Irish influence to not turn this post into an essay. There was some unease about the Irish influence over the rebellion and some were worried that a successful uprising would spread to Ireland and spread the question of Irish home rule. For others, the allusions Lalor made to the Irish struggle did not resonate as they were not Irish themselves and lost interest in the conflict. Despite this, there is a possiblity that the Union Jack was raised alongside the Eureka Flag, but this is heavily debated and has been largely ignored up to this day for reasons that are hopefully soon obvious if not so already. A group of 200 Americans calling themselves 'The Independent Californian Rangers' Revolver Brigade' also left the stockade, although this was in a plan to intercept an alleged movement of soldiers coming up from Melbourne. Father Smyth also encourgaged Catholic members of the rebellion to put down their guns and attend mass the following day. It was a common sentiment among many at the encampment that the Colonial Government would not attack on the Lord's Day. Unfortunetely, as they would soon find out, they were very wrong.
At 4:35 on the morning of December 3rd 1854, 276 British Soilders fired upon as many as 150 Miners. Like many of the events surrounding the Eureka Rebellion, it's unclear who fired the first shot. What was clear, however, was that the Battle of the Eureka Stockade was a bloodbath. For the first 10 minutes, contrary to popular belief, the miners were able to adequately defend the stockade. Journalists and witnesses at the scene, even those opposed the the rebellion, noted several sharp shooters on the side of the miners and a number of Colonial Trooper's deaths. However, after 10 minutes, the miners ran out of ammunition. These final 5 minutes were the bloodiest, and as the sun rose on the quiet countryside settlement of Ballaarat East (Ballarat), there lay dozens of dead and wounded rebels and soldiers. It's generally accepted that 22 rebels and 6 soilders were killed, although the number of deceased rebels could be higher than 60 as many fled into the surrounding bushland and could have either died or disappeared. Some sources, including primary sources, claimed different numbers, but the 22 rebels and 6 soldiers are accepted by all and are now memorialised by a plaque in Ballarat today.
113 men were arrested, and 13 sent to be trialled for treason. Upon petion of the Victorian people, all were released. As an immediate result of the Eureka Rebellion, the mining fee was reduced to just £1 a year (instead of £1.50 a month) and half the police on the goldfields were fired. 12 new members were added to the Victorian Legislative Assembly including 8 who were elected by people who held a miner's right. One of these men was Peter Lalor, who led the rebellion.
This 15 minute conflict which was, on the day, a loss for the miners, also had long lasting effects. The rebellion brought about the issue of workers rights to the forefront of Victorian (and later Australian) minds and was the catalyst for the Australian labour movement. Along with basic rights we take for granted today, such as the 8 hour work day and the 5 day working week, this movement birthed the Australian Labor Party, one of the oldest labour parties in the world and, in 1904, the first national labour government in the world. It also gave birth to Australian democracy, with all men given the right to vote in Australia before they were allowed to in the UK, and a world leader in Women's Suffrage. Australia has, during multiple points in history, been considered one of the world's most democratic nations.
The Eureka Stockade, the Australian Labor Party, and the Right to Vote also led to another monumental moment in Australian History - Independence. The ALP's T. J. Ryan led Australia to become independent in 1928, 27 years after Federation. T. J. Ryan wouldn't have been Prime Minister without the help of the ALP, which would've mean anything without the right to vote, which wouldn't have come about if it wasn't for the Eureka Stockade.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and President Tony Abbott spoke at Eureka celebrations in Ballarat yesterday, walking around the site alleged to be the location of the conflict itself. The President took the opportunity to talk about the importance of democracy and Australian independence and praising Australia's "grand evolution" from a country of convicts and gold panners to the great nation it is today, all thanks to the sacrifices these men and women made. Albanese also spoke, noting the importance of the movement to worker's rights and the ALP, as well as taking special note that the gold miners were largely an immigrant force. 3 December is a public holiday in the City of Ballarat local government area. It is difficult to identify who died and who survived, but below are the names listed (and if approrpiately corrected) on a plaque at the site of the rebellion. The names of soliders Capt. H. C. Wise, Ptes. W. Webb, M. ROney, J. Wall. F. Boyle, and J. Hall are also included on the plaque.
- Wilhem or William Emmerman of Hesse-Kassel (now Germany) or Russia
Martin Diamond (incorrectly listed as John Diamond) of Ireland, death disputed
Thomas O'Neill of Ireland
George Donaghey (incorrectly listed as J. Donaghey) of Ireland
Edward Quinn (incorrectly spelt Quin) of Ireland
William Quinlan of New South Wales - the only native-born to be killed in Eureka
Johann Hafele of Württemberg (now Germany)
John Crowe of Ireland
Thaddeus Moore of Ireland
James Brown of Ireland
John Robertson of Scotland
Fenton (Possibly Robert Fenton, other details unknown)
Edward McGlyn of Ireland
John Hynes (Incorretly spelt Haynes) of Ireland
Patrick Gittins, Gittens or Gittings of Ireland
Michael Mullins (incorrectly listed as Thomas Mullins and sometimes Mulligans) of Ireland
Samuel Green of England
Robert Julien of Canada
Eduard Thönen or Edward Thonen of Prussia (now Germany)
J Hassle (Possibly Benden J. Hassell, might be a misprint as Hassell is not believed to have been involved in the fighting of the Rebellion)
Elsenauers gain control of the Rhineland
The Elsenauer family has recently opened the refurbished Electoral Palace in Trier, now the official residence of the Rhineland's state governor. Martin Elsenauer, the newly elected state governor, will move in during the coming weeks, out of his family's compound on the outskirts of Koblenz. This follows the adoption by the Rhineland State Council of a new charter, pushed through by the Rhine Moderates party, a sister party to the National Moderate Party. The Rhineland is the nation's most densely populated inter-regional circle, made up of the Saarland, Naheland, Upper Palatinate, Rhenish Hesse, Aachen, Jülich, and Berg, as well as the participating Free National Capital District (Cologne-Bonn). The ascendence of the National Moderates to this circle's government without a coalition marks the first time in Amalgovian post-war history, and is a testament to the appeal of the party's subsidiarity system and political efficacy (colloquially referred to as "political chameleons" by the press, owing to the adaptability of the party's politics).
The Elsenauer family is a political dynasty which is at the helm of the National Moderates, the nation's largest political party. Its brand of centre-left civic nationalism and approach to electoral politics has been responsible for the largest shift in Amalgovian politics in contemporary history, having moved the nation towards greater decentralization, the creation of a second judiciary track, and a technocratic form of consensus-building public administration. Informal relationships with industry leaders such as Lufthansa, Volkswagen, and Siemens, compliment the long-standing closeness that the Elsenauers have had with the nation's royal houses who have funneled regional political support into the National Moderate agenda. The Houses of Baden, Nassau, Hapsburg, Württemburg, and Wittelsbach are known for their role in the political consolidation of centrist parties in their respective lands, and in the subsequent harmonization of these sister parties along the National Moderate platform.
- ACT Cabinet and Shadow Cabinet
Was meant to post this a month ago
8 December, backdated to 8 November
Ross Lyman's second ACT Nationals Government Cabinet and Darren Cameron's third ACT Labor Shadow Cabinet has been selected this week. The cabinet, as with all jurisdictions across Australia, are chosen by the leader of the winning party from either house of Parliament (except for cases like New Zealand, Queensland, the ACT, and the Northern Territory where there is only one house). The shadow cabinet is like a normal cabinet but composed of members of the opposition.
Ross Lyman's 2nd Cabinet (ACT Nationals)
- Ross Lyman - Chief Minister
Elizabeth Lee - Deputy Chief Minister and Minister for Education, Skills, and Early Childhood Development
Bruce Billson - Treasurer
Larry Goldsworthy - Minister for Economic Development, Business, and Finance
Guilia Jones - Minister for Health, Minister for Tourism, and Minister for Multicultural Affairs
Avani Dias - Minister for Indigenous Affairs, Minister for Arts and Heritage, and Minister for Community Services
Matt Hicks - Minister for Sports and Recreation and Minister for Justice and Community Safety
Ron Mildren - Minister for Local Governance, Minister for Industrial Relation
Jenny O'Neil - Minister for Emergency Services
Emmerick Teissel - Minister for Environment, Land, Water, Energy, and Climate Change, Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, and Regional Development, and Minister for Urban and Sustainable Development and Planning
Darren Cameron's 2nd Shadow Ministry (ACT Labor)
-
Darren Cameron - Leader of the Opposition, Shadow Minister for Local Governance, Shadow Minister for Emergency Services
Tara Cheyne - Deputy Leader of the Opposition, Shadow Minister for Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, and Regional Development, and Minister for Urban and Sustainable Development and Planning
Nadia David - Shadow Minister for Education, Shadow Minister for Tourism, Shadow Minister for Health, Shadow Minister for Education, Skills, and Early Childhood Development
Deepak Raj Gupta - Shadow Minister for Multicultural Affairs, Shadow Minister for Environment, Land, Water, Energy, and Climate Change
Marisa Paterson - Shadow Minister for Emergency Services, Shadow Minister of Justice and Community Safety
Kevin Poulton - Shadow Treasurer, Shadow Minister for Economic Development, Business, and Finance, Shadow Minister for Industrial Relations
Nicola Scaife - Shadow Minister for Sports and Recreation, Shadow Minister for Arts and Heritage, Shadow Minister for Indigenous Affairs, Shadow Minister for Community Services
Advertisement
