APRIL 2025 — REVIEW AS OF APRIL 2025

Chris has made some 60 presentations as well as radio interviews and podcasts during the past year. These included First Fleeter groups in Sydney, the Royal Automobile Club of Australia, the Australian Monarchist League, the Women’s Pioneer Society of Australia, Rotary Clubs and Probus Clubs.

The response to the book has been terrific. John Stewart of Sunnybank, Queensland, wrote: “Let me thank you and congratulate you on your authorship. As a proud Australian, I found your book extremely interesting … Up until now, Geoffrey Blainey’s Short History of Australia has been the go-to book for our history. In my view, your book surpasses that book and offers alternative insights into many events.”

Geoffrey Blainey wrote: “You are to be congratulated. Your research is unbelievable and I found your book fascinating to read. There were many details that interested me. Your mother would be proud.” More than 1,700 copies had been sold in the 12 months since the book’s launch.

DECEMBER — LETTER FROM THE HON. JOHN HOWARD OM AC

John Howard wrote to Dr Reynolds: “I am grateful for you sending me a copy of your book What a Capital Idea — Australia 1770–1901. It is clear to me that you have gone to great lengths to produce it, and contribute to a fuller understanding of Australia’s great history.”

OCTOBER — ROYAL VISIT AND CPAC

His Excellency General the Honourable Sir Peter Cosgrove AK MC (Retd) speaks with Chris at New South Wales Parliament House during the visit of Their Majesties King Charles and Queen Camilla. Chris also attends CPAC in Brisbane and meets friends who are enjoying the book, including Rowan Dean.

SEPTEMBER — MONARCHIST BALL AND COB & CO.

Chris attends the University of Queensland Monarchist Ball, mixing with royalty and anticipating Their Majesties’ visit to Australia in October. He also travels to Surat, near Roma, Queensland, for the centenary of the last Cobb & Co. coach run.

AUGUST — PROMO VIDEO AND GATTON

A new promotional video for What a Capital Idea — Australia 1770–1901 is released: https://youtu.be/KYb9n5v4oJo

Chris attends the 80th anniversary of the Gatton Military Hospital and wears his USS Missouri cap, given to him by one of the ship’s sailors in Sydney Harbour.

JULY — SPEAKING PROGRAMME

Dr Reynolds is scheduled to speak at more than 50 Probus Clubs, Rotary groups, Men’s Sheds, First Fleeters, Australian Monarchist groups and special events during the year.

JUNE — ADH TV AND VOTING MATTERS

Dr Reynolds is interviewed by Adrian Coory on ADH TV’s The Other Side: https://youtu.be/E6CSaXk5m_0

He discusses the secret plan behind the New South Wales venture and asks whether Britain needed the colony by 1788. He also speaks at a Voting Matters meeting in Wynnum, Brisbane.

MAY — SAMUEL GRIFFITH SOCIETY AND BOOK LAUNCH

On May 26, Chris attends the Samuel Griffith Society Conference. The Honourable Ian Callinan AC, former Justice of the High Court, writes: “What a Capital Idea — Australia 1770–1901 is a remarkable piece of work and makes an excellent addition to my library.” Queensland Opposition Leader David Crisafulli speaks about taking back education for Queensland and how Chris might be involved.

On May 9, Tony Abbott, David Flint and Sophie York speak at the spectacular book launch at the Royal Automobile Club of Australia in Sydney. The event video is here: https://youtu.be/IZvugYz26Oo

Sophie York calls it “an important book — a unique and enriching addition to the wealth of historical material about Australia.” Tony Abbott says: “It is a great story. An absolutely wonderful story … So God bless Australia and God bless Dr Christopher Reynolds for telling our story so well.” David Flint describes it as “a magnificent book”.

APRIL — JAMES COOK MEMORIAL DAY AND SYDNEY EVENTS

On April 29, Dr Reynolds speaks to the crowd at Captain James Cook Memorial Day in Sydney. An ADH TV interview with David Flint for Save the Nation covers Chris’s time in Washington, the plan to bring down the French, the Constitution and Aboriginal people at the time of settlement.

On April 13, Chris speaks at the Australian Monarchist League Symposium on Australian-British heritage in Sydney and at the SMB Group on the Gold Coast. An interview with Dr Luke for Everyday Medicine goes to air. Chris also discusses plans for HMS Endeavour at the Royal Automobile Club of Australia.

MARCH 5 — INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY AND BRISBANE EVENTS

Chris speaks about Caroline Chisholm at the International Women’s Day luncheon at the Royal Automobile Club of Australia in Sydney. He also attends the Brisbane book launch at the Australian Institute for Progress, speaks at the Brisbane Dialogue Club and is interviewed by David Flint for ADH TV’s Save the Nation.

FEBRUARY 2024 — THE WAR OF WORDS

Chris has an article published in Spectator Australia: “The War of Words” — https://www.spectator.com.au/2024/02/the-war-of-words/

NOVEMBER 2023 — SYDNEY CONFERENCE AND TONY ABBOTT

The Hon. Tony Abbott agrees to launch What a Capital Idea in Sydney in the new year. Chris is a keynote speaker at the Australian Monarchist League Annual Conference in Sydney; half of the participants purchase the book. The Hon. Eric Abetz introduces Chris and the new book. Chris also meets Jarrod Bleijie MP, Queensland Deputy Leader of the Opposition.

OCTOBER 2023 — MONARCHIST BALL, BRISBANE

Chris attends the Australian Monarchist League Ball in Brisbane. He is mentioned in the dinner programme booklet, and What a Capital Idea is given as a raffle prize. David Stevens, Gary Hardgrave, Philip Benwell and Dr Christopher Reynolds are pictured together.

SEPTEMBER 2023 — MUDGEERABA BLUES ROCK FESTIVAL

Chris attends the Mudgeeraba Blues Rock Festival. He meets Cara from Hat Fitz and Cara, from Gympie, Queensland: http://www.hatfitzandcara.com/

AUGUST 2023 — THE VOICE REFERENDUM

Spectator Australia publishes Dr Reynolds’s article about the Voice and the Constitution: https://www.spectator.com.au/2023/08/the-voice-empowers-bureaucracy-over-democracy/

Chris attends the Gold Coast Rally for the Voice referendum at Nerang Evangelical Church. Guest speakers include Warren Mundine, Gary Jones, Pauline Hanson, Anthony Dillon and Dave Pellowe. Around 650 people attend, and many copies of What a Capital Idea are sold. At another Gold Coast rally, guest speakers include Matt Canavan and Gary Johns.

JULY 2023 — MACCA IN THE MORNING

Ian McNamara (“Macca”) of ABC’s Australia All Over interviews Chris about What a Capital Idea after his morning show at Burleigh Heads beach on Sunday, July 16. The interview is scheduled to air on July 23. Macca is especially interested in William Dampier and shares Chris’s admiration for the explorer. The interview is available here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c1aQlJL2wYE&t=94s

Chris meets Sky News presenter Peta Credlin when she comes to Brisbane as guest speaker at the LNP dinner on Saturday, July 8. Their friendly conversation turns to a serious review of the book. Chris also meets Federal National Party leader David Littleproud, who is interested in Australian history and pleased to receive a copy. At the Queensland LNP Conference, Chris speaks with David Crisafulli, Christian Rowan, Deb Frecklington and Amanda Camm.

Chris attends the Australian Monarchist League luncheon and gives Barnaby Joyce a copy of the book. At a later meeting, Barnaby reports that he is halfway through it. Chris also attends David Stevens’s book launch for Dignity and Prosperity, catching up with Peter Dutton and John Howard, and spends time with Gary Hardgrave, who is reading the book.

JUNE 2023 — AMANDA STOKER, NIGEL FARAGE AND VISION CHRISTIAN RADIO

Amanda Stoker agrees to launch What a Capital Idea in Brisbane when the next edition arrives. Chris writes to Nigel Farage and gives him a copy. Farage replies that Chris has succeeded in a “herculean task”, looks forward to reading the well-illustrated book, and hopes their paths will cross on his next visit to Australia.

Chris speaks with Neil Johnson on Vision Christian Radio, Shepparton, about the book: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9aLyOp02wys&t=89s

MAY 2023 — AMANDA STOKER AND WARREN MUNDINE

Chris attends a symposium on the Voice and meets Warren Mundine and Amanda Stoker.

APRIL 2023 — PETER DUTTON AND THE SPECTATOR LUNCHEON

Chris meets Peter Dutton and attends the Spectator Luncheon at Bowral, New South Wales. He speaks with Peter Dutton, John Howard, Tony Abbott, Alan Jones, Andrew Bolt, Rowan Dean, David Flint, Warren Mundine, Bronwyn Bishop, Tina McQueen and Bruce Beresford.

Film producer and director Bruce Beresford writes: “Thanks so much for that enormous book! I looked through it for some hours last night and found it immensely interesting. I’ll read more, of course, over the coming week and get back to you. Regards, Bruce.”

EARLY BOOK MILESTONES — FIRST PRINTING AND ERIC ABETZ

A sample copy of the book is ready in time for Eric and Chris to attend the Spectator Luncheon in Bowral. Eric introduces Chris to John Howard and Tony Abbott, and Chris meets many other people.

In April, Eric Abetz completes reading the eBook version. He writes: “I can report I’ve now had the immense pleasure of reading your work page by page and word for word. I just finished moments ago and believed I should write immediately to express my gratitude for the immense amount of work that must have gone into compiling such a comprehensive account of our history. Also to tell you I thoroughly enjoyed the read and learnt a lot on the way through. Congratulations on an exceptionally fine effort, full of facts and easy to read.” Eric then urges Chris to publish a hardcover edition, beginning a close friendship.