A Federated News Agents’ Association of Australia is an ideal which has long been in the minds of the leaders of the individual State organisations.
This was written by H. J. Rees, Editor of The Authorised News Agent in 1924.
Communications frequently pass between the State secretaries and managers, and it is felt that the day is not far distant when some definite move will be taken to bring together the respective State leaders, and the outcome of which will be a Federated Association of the News Agents of Australia.
I wonder how Mr Rees would view the state of our representation today. The ANF model adopted through the new Constitution early in 2003 has failed to deliver the benefits newsagents hoped for. The many and expensive Bill Express messes provide the best evidence of this. Only two newsagent associations, NANA in New South Wales and the QNF in Queensland, have served newsagents well on Bill Express. Their actions have been driven by member need rather than commercial gain or politics.
The hope expressed by Mr Rees in 1924 remains a hope today – that strong state based organisations will focus on the needs of newsagents and develop a new model which serves newsagents nationally. A challenge in achieving this is the conflicts of some of those involved.
The quotes in those post have come from a history of VANA published in August 1924 and edited by H. J. Rees. I am grateful to John Rees for providing this document which is packed with history.
We do need it, a small group of people who will work for the most important issue that we face, at that moment, when it arises.
A group that will be transperant in how and when our fees will be used for our benefit. They will know the laws and legislation that relates to us and will endevour to get the best result for us (currently, just getting things right).
Is this the type of thing you are talking about Mark?