Principality of Marlborough

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Principality of Marlborough
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Motto: none
Musical Anthem: none
Type of entity: Micronation
Location: Near Rockhampton, Queensland
Area: tba km²
Membership: 2
Date of foundation: 1993
Leadership: Prince George (George Muirhead)
Purported organisational structure: Absolute monarchy
Language: English
Currency: Australian Dollar

The Principality of Marlborough was a short-lived micronation located 22°30'18.19"S, 149° 9'6.45"E, 200km North of Rockhampton, Australia in 1993.

It came into being when farmer George Muirhead, facing the possibility of the repossession of his properties - Kierawonga & Indicus - by the Commonwealth Bank, challenged the legality of their bills of exchange in the Queensland Supreme Court. When he lost the case, Muirhead returned to his property, and, along with his wife and approximately 30 other supporters, declared it to be an independent principality where the bank and Queensland Government had no legal authority.

11 days after the proclamation of independence (at approximately 5:00am), 120 officers of the Queensland Police entered the property and forcibly evicted the Muirheads. The Muirheads won widespread media attention from across The World, with the media portraying them as hardworking people being victimized by a cold, heartless corporation. The Muirheads adopted the Australian flag, the Scottish Flag, the Australian Aboriginal Flag and the United Nations Flag as the symbol of their principality during the secession.

As of 2004, the Muirheads have not pursued their claim to the principality.

[edit] References

  • "DIY Sovereignty and the Popular Right in Australia", by Judy Lattas, Macquarie University, March 2005.
  • "Defiant Graziers Under Arrest", Sydney Morning Herald, 14 June, 1993.
  • "Rebel graziers' bid to keep land ends in contempt charge", Sydney Morning Herald, 14 June, 1993.
  • "Defiant graziers stay in jail", Sydney Morning Herald, 15 June, 1993.
  • "A Principality without walls near Jericho", Sydney Morning Herald, 15 June, 1993.
  • "The great conspiracy to enslave Australia", Sydney Morning Herald, 21 June, 1993.
  • Channel 7 News - 16th June 1993.
  • BBC news - 15 June 1993.
  • Queensland Title Office records from 1993 for Kierawonga & Indicus.
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