It was a great pleasure to travel to Corby, England, to install a new Charter for a Murray Club in Corby on Saturday 18th May. Our thanks to Governor Bro. Graeme Stenhouse and General Secretary Bro. William Moore for joining the Murray Parent Club President Bro. Gordon McMorris and Secretary Bro. David Hoey and assisting with the day’s formalities.
The Charter Installation and the inaugural meeting of Corby Branch of the Murray Club Apprentice Boys of Derry was held in Great Oakley Village Hall, Corby, attended by Officers of General Committee, the Murray Parent Club, the No Surrender Parent Club, the English Amalgamated Committee, SAMS Murray Branch Club (Liverpool), Thames & Avon Murray Branch Club, Greenock Murray Branch Club, Surrey Campsie Branch Club, Manchester & Salford Campsie Branch Club, and members of Motherwell Walker Club.
The meeting included enrolment of two new members. Diplomas were presented to many of the 13 founding members who had been Made in Londonderry as plans for the Club developed.
There was a great sense of occasion and Brotherhood at this event. This was a great occasion for the Murray Club, establishing a new Club in the East Midlands where there had not been a presence for the Associated Clubs of the Apprentice Boys of Derry for over twenty years.
An approach to the Parent Club Secretary early in 2023 led to a Special Meeting of SAMS Liverpool Branch in Corby in mid-May to enrol eight members who would be a core part of establishing a new Murray Club in Corby. There had been a No Surrender Club back in the 1980s, but it dissolved and issues still rumble. The mostly young coterie who wished to make a new start in Corby decided on Murray as the future Parent Club. Since May, others in the Corby area have transferred into the Parent Club. Wishing SAMS and its Corby members all the best as they work towards a new Charter for a Murray Corby Branch Club sometime in 2024.
Australia has its first ever Apprentice Boys Branch Club. The Murray Club has installed a new Charter and opened a new Branch Club on 15th June in Australia, installed new officers and enrolled new members.
The Murray Club, one of the eight Parent Clubs of the Apprentice Boys of Derry, has opened a new Branch Club in Australia. The new Australia Murray Club will draw members from across the Continent. The first meeting was held in Burwood, Sydney, attended by members from South Australia, Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland; Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane.
First ever meeting of Apprentice Boys in Australia, with the installation of a new Charter for the Murray Club, Australia Branch Club which took place in Burwood, Sydney on 15th June 2019. The new Officer team for the Australia Murray Club was installed, and new members to the Club were enrolled on the day.
President of the Murray Club, Gordon McMorris commented:
“The Murray Club has historically broken new ground, being to the forefront of first Clubs in Scotland, England and Canada. The new Australia Club is an exciting development, built on an excellent foundation that will see the Branch develop further over time.”
Graeme Stenhouse, Governor of the Associated Clubs of the Apprentice Boys of Derry, says:
“Together with David Hoey, Secretary of the Murray Parent Club, it was a great honour and privilege to travel further than any Governor has ever travelled before to install a new Club Charter. The Association greatly appreciates the huge amount of preparation and planning, over many years, to have been able to achieve this landmark for the Association; the opening of the new Australia Murray Club. We are proud that the story of the Brave 13 Apprentice Boys and the Siege of Londonderry now has a place in the Southern Hemisphere. As Governor of the Apprentice Boys’ Association I would like to extend heartiest congratulations to all involved, and in the years ahead I look forward to welcoming new Australian members to the Maiden City.”
Pictured left to right at the opening of the new Australia Murray Branch Club: Graeme Stenhouse, Governor of the Associated Clubs of the Apprentice Boys of Derry; David McMichael, newly installed President of the Australia Murray Club; Herbie Mailey, newly installed Secretary of the Australia Murray Club; and David Hoey, Secretary of the Murray Parent Club, Londonderry.
Herbie Mailey, Secretary of the new Australia Murray Club, who has been the main organiser in Australia in setting up the new Club, states:
“There has been a real interest in Australia about building a connection to the historic City of Londonderry, and the important dates commemorated in August and December. The cause of Civil & Religious Liberty is universal, wherever we are in the world. We remember the debt we owe to all those who have suffered and sacrificed for the Freedoms we too often take for granted today.”
