On the 5th of April, 2011, during our monthly business meeting, the membership of the Maple Ridge Amateur Radio Club (MRARC) unanimously adopted a resolution, calling for the twinning of and a bilateral cooperation agreement between the Ipswich & District Radio Club (IDRC), located in South-Eastern Queensland, Australia, and ourselves.
Originally proposed during a conversation between Warren Heaton [VK4GT] and MRARC Vice President, Mike Stenner [VA7BZ]; the matter was further broached with IDRC President, Michael Charteris [VK4QS], during Mike’s visit down to Australia in March.
An agreement in principle was reached between Michael and Mike on the 19th of March, during a barbeque event at the IDRC clubhouse; where it was mutually agreed that this proposal should be tabled within our organizations, for discussion and ratification by our respective memberships.
MRARC proudly acknowledges this historic event as it’s first bilateral agreement with another organization; wherein MRARC will henceforth recognize IDRC as a sibling organization and the IDRC membership as our brethren, with shared purpose and common values.
Both organizations have agreed to the free exchange of information and cooperation on matters of common interest, including [but not limited to]:
- the shared exchange of social, cultural, and traditional friendship, such that both organizations will openly welcome and recognize each other’s membership as our own, with diplomatic privilege accorded any visiting member while in-country;
- joint cooperation on matters of regulatory, technical, and operational importance, such that both organizations will recognize our common challenges and aspirations; and jointly welcome the opportunity to share in the learned knowledge and advice of our brethren;
- the fostering of bilateral communication and participation within each other’s activities, such that both organizations would mutually benefit from these shared discussions and experiences; and
- the open exchange of ideas and proposals, towards how we collectively, as organizations and individuals, can further both Amateur Radio and our local communities.
This twinning of these clubs within Ipswich and Maple Ridge is somewhat ideal, given our many common traits:
-the City of Ipswich is located approximately 40 minutes drive outside of the third largest city in Australia - Brisbane. Similarly, the District of Maple Ridge and City of Pitt Meadows are located some 40 minutes outside of the third largest city in Canada - Vancouver.
-both communities are built alongside a major river system
-both communities are within close proximity to the Pacific Ocean.
-both countries share a common lineage and language
-both countries rank among the least populated places on the planet, relative their size; with only 3.4 people per sq km in Canada & 3 people per sq km in Australia - ranked 229th and 234th respectively.
-both organizations are of nearly identical size and demographic
- both organizations are attempting to instill both knowledge and interest in Amateur Radio within our youth.
-both organizations are of nearly identical age: IDRC being founded in 1962; and MRARC being founded in 1964
L to R: IDRC President, Michael Charteris [VK4QS]; Lord Mayor of the City of Ipswich, Mr. Paul Pisasale; and MRARC Vice President, Mike Stenner [VA7BZ]
Mike Stenner [VA7BZ], as ambasador, accepting a Challenge Coin gift Michael Charteris [VK4QS] on 19 March 2011 - a gift from the Ipswich & District Radio Club to the Maple Ridge Amateur Radio Club
During the MRARC business meeting on 5 April 2011, Mike Stenner [VA7BZ] presented MRARC President, Lynn Wold [VE7LYN] with the Challenge Coin from IDRC.
Both sides of the beautifully crafted Challenge Coin presented from IDRC to MRARC; this limited production of coins was commissioned by IDRC as part of last years recognition of the Wireless Institute of Australia’s Centenary
You can visit the website of our sibling organization here (opens in a new browser wind0w).
