In 1871 the Australian Natives’ Association (ANA) was established in Melbourne as a mutual society, with membership restricted to white, Australian-born men.

The ANA promoted the idea of a unique Australian identity and supported politicial independence from Britain, with the inscription ‘Federation’ even appearing on the ANA masthead.

During the 1880s more than 100 new branches opened in New South Wales, South Australia and Victoria which remained the heartland of activity’. Together with the Federation League, the ANA played a leading role in the Federation movement.