Where it all began!

History of the Naval Association of Australia. 

The current Naval Association of Australia began in 1920 as the Ex-Navalmen’s Association. In 1960 the Ex-Navalmen’s Association changed it's name to the Naval Association of Australia The Ex-Navalmen’s Association began one evening in 1920, in the vicinity of Young and Jacksons Hotel, on the corner of Flinders and Swanston Streets, Melbourne.

An ex-naval man out for a stroll with his wife saw a former shipmate on point duty as a policeman. From this chance meeting both men decided to get together again with as many old shipmates as possible. In May 1920, in the old Manchester Unity Hall in Swanston Street, about 100 ex-Navalmen agreed to form the "Ex-Navalmen's Association", which was inaugurated in November 1920. In 1922, the Ex-Navalmen's Association amalgamated with the China Naval Contingent Association whose members had seen service during the Boxer Rebellion of 1900.

In 1925, the NSW Section was formed in Sydney and in 1947 approval was given to NSW form Sub Sections in other areas throughout the State. In 1960 the Ex-Navalmen's Association name was changed to “The Naval Association of Australia”, to better reflect its aims and a membership that included both serving and ex-naval persons. From the beginning the Association was developed as a self-help organisation with the main objective being to unite former and serving Naval Personnel for the purpose of mutual benefit with the motto:

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"Each for All — All for Each”.

Research Links

Trove - Argus

The Argus (Melbourne) 10th May 1920

Article Advertising the meeting on the 12th May 1920

Page 14

Pages 1-14

The Herald, Monday 13th September

RANB / NAVY  (Royal Australian Naval Brigade / Royal Australian Navy)

Navy List - 1st October 1905

Navy List - 1st January 1920

Navy Lists 1905 - 1985