I am pleased to announce that The Most Reverend Archbishop
Peter Hollingworth AO OBE is to assume the chairmanship of the National
Council for the Centenary of Federation.
The Archbishop has served on the National Council since
its inception. I am delighted that such a distinguished Australian has
agreed to lead the Council.
Archbishop Hollingworth succeeds Mr Dick Smith, who has
been chairman since the Council began its work in December 1996.
Mr Smith has retired from the position because of overseas
commitments and plans that would not enable him to participate fully in
the increasing workload of the Council. He has made a valued contribution
during the past three years, and has led the Council during an intense
period of planning for 2001. He is a proud and dedicated Australian, and
I am grateful for his commitment to the centenary year.
Archbishop Hollingworth, the Anglican Archbishop of Brisbane
since 1990, has been an active member of the Council over the past four
years. He has contributed to the work of a number of Council's advisory
committees.
Along with his well-known work with the Brotherhood of
St. Laurence for over 25 years, he is a former Australian of the Year
and Victorian Father of the Year, and has been conferred with Honorary
Doctorates from five Australian universities.
The National Council for the Centenary of Federation,
comprising representatives of the Commonwealth, States and Territories,
was established in December 1996 as an initiative of the Council of Australian
Governments. Its task is to oversee and coordinate the Australian-wide
arrangements for the Centenary, and to implement projects at a national
level.
18 February 2000