United Commercial Travellers Association of Australia
The United Commercial Travellers' Association of Australia was an Australian tradesmen's association.
History[edit]
The association was formed in 1895. Its headquarters were established in Melbourne, in the facilities of the Commercial Travellers' Association of Victoria, which was formed in 1880. Affiliated organisations also existed in South Australia, which was the first to be established in 1866, followed by New South Wales (1883), Queensland (1884), Western Australia (1896) and Tasmania (1900).[1] Its remit was aiding salesmen travelling across the country on train or carriage, providing increased protection from doubtful accommodation or business practices.[2]
A brief note in the Brisbane Courier at the time of Incorporation in 1905 states the constitution was unanimously adopted by all associations at large public meetings.[3]
"On July 11, 1907—that sounds almost in the dim ages—the very first paid-for telephone conversation on the newly opened Sydney-Melbourne trunk line was between the C.T.As. of New South Wales and Victoria, and it cost 6/- for three minutes.[1]
Only the South Australian branch is still in operation.
Publications[edit]
Branches of the CTA produced a number of publications throughout its history, which were eventually amalgamated into a federal newspaper called The Australian Traveller. Other titles included:
- The Traveller
- Road and Sea
- The Commercial
- The Australasian Traveller
- Australia To-Day
International connections[edit]
- New Zealand
- Great Britain
- Canada
- South Africa
Significant buildings[edit]
- Melbourne - Commerce House, Flinders St, which now houses a hotel.
- Brisbane - Telecommunications House
Notable members and Office bearers[edit]
- the Association’s Patron, Mr. E. T. Smith, M.P., who was then Mayor of Adelaide.
- Mr James Davies
Closure[edit]
The organisation was wound up in 2014. Nic Price reported in the Melbourne Leader that the Victorian branch donated more than $500,000 to charities.[2]
References[edit]
- ^ a b West, C.A.M. "Fifty years of development : the United Commercial Travellers' Association of Australia Limited". State Library of Victoria. United Commercial Travellers' Association of Australia. Retrieved 10 June 2017.
- ^ a b Price, Nic (30 June 2014). "Commercial Travellers Association of Victoria calls it quits by donating more than $500,000 to charities". Melbourne Leader.
- ^ "COMMERCIAL TRAVELLER'S ASSOCIATION". The Brisbane Courier. Vol. LXII, no. 14, 855. Queensland, Australia. 22 August 1905. p. 4. Retrieved 11 June 2017 – via National Library of Australia.