international datelines - Winston Churchill

and honoured former President Ronald Reagan. In
1991, HM The Queen presented the Churchill
Award to President Bush.
The Center for Chuichill Studies
in the United States
An academic endeavour between the International
Churchill Society of the United States, the Elliott
School of International Affairs at George Washington
University, and James Humes' charitable trust,
formerly the Churchill Institute for Statecraft,
which has changed its name to the above for legal
purposes, was fully described in Finest Hour #74.
Canada
The Rt. Hon. Sii Winston S. Churchill Society
First founded in Edmonton with Sir Winston's
personal approval in 1964, the Society has since expanded
to encompass branches in Calgary and Vancouver.
All three branches work to ensure that Sir
Winston's ideals and achievements are never forgotten
by succeeding generations. Activities include
banquets for outstanding people connected with
aspects of Sir Winston's career; public speaking and
debating competitions for High School students;
scholarships in Honours History; financial
assistance for students at Churchill College. The
Edmonton Branch has recently erected a fine
statue of WSC in that city. The Society is active
year-round, sponsoring students, holding school
debates and competitions, etc.
The Churchill Society for the Advancement of
Parliamentary Democracy
Founded in Toronto, the CSAPD works to support
the health and vigour of parliamentary
democracy, with an annual lecture by a distinguished
parliamentarian, and other events the year
round.
Australasia
The Churchill Memorial Trust of Australia
In Australia, Sir Robert Menzies, then Prime
Minister, was approached by Lord Baillieu for his
support in setting up a Churchill Memorial Trust in
Australia. Sir Robert, an old friend and great admirer
of Sir Winston, readily agreed and prevailed
on the then Counsellor (later Sir) William
Kilpatrick to lay plans for an Appeal to be held in
Australia on Churchill's death.
The success of the Appeal in Australia is now a
matter for history. On a per capita basis Australia
raised more funds than any other country.
However, in Britain's case it should be remembered
that the British corporate sector had already
responded very generously to the Appeal for funds
to build Churchill College.
Churchill House Canberra was built by the
Australian Churchill Trust principally as an income
producing investment from the leasing of its office
space. It also houses the Trust's National Office.
Memorial Trusts in Australasian Countries
In New Zealand, the Churchill Trust was
established by Act of Parliament. Administrative arrangements
for the Appeal and later for the Churchill
Fellowship Scheme were, and are currently
undertaken by public servants responsible to a
Board appointed by Parliament. When Papua New
Guinea-achieved independence in 1976 the
Australian Trust transferred funds which, together
with a contribution from the Papua New Guinea
Government, were sufficient for an independent
Churchill Trust to be established in that country.
International
The International Churchill Societies
of the United States, Canada, UK and Australia
The International Churchill Societies comprise
four independent non-profit educational organisations
which work together "to keep the memory
green and the record accurate,'' so that future
generations will never forget the contributions of
Sir Winston to the political philosophy, culture and
literature of the English-Speaking Peoples and the
Great Democracies. ICS numbers over 2500 people
from all walks of life — academics, statesmen,
students, professionals, non-professionals, collectors,
bibliophiles, teachers — interested in aspects
of Churchill and his career: not merely as the symbol
of victory in war, but of culture, humour, principle,
optimism, pride in country and faith in
Western Civilization.
ICS is politically non-partisan, but not apolitical:
its quarterly journal, Finest Hour, often touches on
Churchill's political philosophy and its eternal
relevance to problems of the present. Speakers
range the gamut from Alistair Cooke and William
Manchester to Harry Byrd, Jr. and Caspar Weinberger,
to Robert Hardy and Gregory Peck, to members
of the Churchill family. Members' ages range
from ten to ninety, and ICS is a growing organization,
with special emphasis on young people
through its programme, "Teaching the Next
Generation."
From small beginnings in 1968, the International
Churchill Societies have since financed publication
of the ten final Companion Volumes to the Official
Biography; produced many specialized publications
of Churchill works, checklists, bibliographies and
oral history; organised eight international conferences
and six International Churchill Tours; and
assisted in or encouraged the republication of a
score of Churchill books heretofore long out of
print.
ICS United States is now embarked on a plan to
create a Center for Churchill Studies in Washington
DC (see under "United States"); ICS Canada produces
a calendar recounting the Churchillian events
of fifty years ago, and is developing a new checklist
of Churchill stamps; ICS UK has hosted the latest
international conference; ICS Australia hopes to
produce a guide to Churchill Memorials worldwide. •
FINEST HOUR 75, PAGE 24