Australian Natives Association

The Friendly Society of Victorian Natives, was a mutual society formed in Melbourne in 1871. The Society changed its name to the Australian Natives Association (ANA) in 1872 following a vote to include white men born in the other Australian colonies. The Association's objectives were to "raise funds by subscription, donations ... for the purpose of relieving sick members, and defraying expenses of funeral of members and their wives, relieving distressed widows and orphans and for the necessary expenses of the general management of the Society."[Menadue, J A Centenary History of the Australian Natives' Association 1871 - 1971, Page 9]. The ANA provided strong support for the Federation of Australia, sport, afforestation, social well-being and the Federal Government's restricted immigration policy, later referred to as the White Australia policy. The ANA and Manchester Unity agreed to merge to form Australian Unity in 1990.