Avram
Encyclopedia
The Grand Duchy of Avram is a micronation
founded in the early 1980s by Tasmania
n John Charlton Rudge
(who sources also alternately name John Avram and John Charlton, His Grace, the Most Noble the Duke of Avram), an anti-taxation campaigner and Hermetic Qabalah
adherent. He is generally known as the "Grand Duke of Avram".
The earliest public manifestation of the Duchy was a bank
which initially operated from retail premises owned by Rudge in George Town, Tasmania
, and which issued its own banknotes and coinage. This enterprise was later relocated to Strahan
, on Tasmania's west coast. Customers were required to exchange Australian currency for the Avram equivalents in order to transact business in Rudge's store. In an attempt to circumvent Australian banking statutes, Rudge did not trade as a bank, but instead referred to the operation as a b_nk.
The unlicensed nature of the Avram "b_nk" roused the ire of the Australian government, who promptly confiscated Avram's entire currency reserves and initiated proceedings against him in the Australian Federal Court
system. Eventually, after a total of six court cases, costing the federal government some A$
22 million, the courts ruled that Rudge had not engaged in any illegal activity, and he was permitted to resume his banking practices unhindered. He has issued several sets of coins and banknotes in the name of the Royal Bank of Avram since the 1980s (the most recent of which are dated 2005) and has asserted to a number of media representatives that the bank operates from a number of unspecified sites inside and outside of Tasmania.
Rudge's success in what was perceived by many as a David and Goliath
battle ensured him a degree of notoriety, and this later assisted his election as a conservative member of the Tasmanian state parliament, where he served a single term and held the position of Shadow Minister for Construction. He later served as a councilor and Deputy Mayor
of the municipal council of Sorell
. His term of office on the council was at times controversial. On one occasion, accusations of corruption made by him against a council employee resulted in legal action being initiated against him by the offended party.
The 'Duke' claims dozens of "noble" and "religious" titles (among them "Earl of Enoch" and "Cardinal Archbishop of The Royal See"), which he asserts are of ancient origin. He also claims to be the grand master of a handful of ancient orders of chivalry (all of which are unknown to independent scholars), and to travel on an Australian passport
that lists his various titles. However, none of these claims are verifiable, and most of the Duke's titles appear to be of relatively modern hermetic kabbalistic origins. The Duke has also frequently promoted his biographical entry in a publication entitled Who's Who of the World - where he is listed between Sir
Elton John
and Pope John Paul II
, and has an entry longer than both - as evidence of the legitimacy of his titles - however the entry is in fact a paid insertion.
The Duchy of Avram has never claimed territory in the manner of other Australian micronations such as the Hutt River Province, and the Duke is on record as saying that the Duchy is a "state of mind".
Micronation
Micronations, sometimes also referred to as model countries and new country projects, are entities that claim to be independent nations or states but which are not recognized by world governments or major international organizations...
founded in the early 1980s by Tasmania
Tasmania
Tasmania is an Australian island and state. It is south of the continent, separated by Bass Strait. The state includes the island of Tasmania—the 26th largest island in the world—and the surrounding islands. The state has a population of 507,626 , of whom almost half reside in the greater Hobart...
n John Charlton Rudge
John Charlton Rudge
John Charlton Rudge is the titular head of the Grand Duchy of Avram, an Australian micronation. He also served one term in the Tasmanian House of Assembly, representing the Liberal Party in the seat of Lyons...
(who sources also alternately name John Avram and John Charlton, His Grace, the Most Noble the Duke of Avram), an anti-taxation campaigner and Hermetic Qabalah
Hermetic Qabalah
Hermetic Qabalah is a Western esoteric and mystical tradition...
adherent. He is generally known as the "Grand Duke of Avram".
The earliest public manifestation of the Duchy was a bank
Bank
A bank is a financial institution that serves as a financial intermediary. The term "bank" may refer to one of several related types of entities:...
which initially operated from retail premises owned by Rudge in George Town, Tasmania
George Town, Tasmania
George Town is one of the larger towns in north-east Tasmania, on the eastern bank of the mouth of the Tamar River. At the 2006 census, George Town had a population of 4,266. It is the regional centre of the George Town Council Local Government Area....
, and which issued its own banknotes and coinage. This enterprise was later relocated to Strahan
Strahan, Tasmania
-See also:* Convicts on the West Coast of Tasmania* Macquarie Harbour* Railways on the West Coast of Tasmania* West Coast Piners-Further reading:* *...
, on Tasmania's west coast. Customers were required to exchange Australian currency for the Avram equivalents in order to transact business in Rudge's store. In an attempt to circumvent Australian banking statutes, Rudge did not trade as a bank, but instead referred to the operation as a b_nk.
The unlicensed nature of the Avram "b_nk" roused the ire of the Australian government, who promptly confiscated Avram's entire currency reserves and initiated proceedings against him in the Australian Federal Court
Federal Court of Australia
The Federal Court of Australia is an Australian superior court of record which has jurisdiction to deal with most civil disputes governed by federal law , along with some summary criminal matters. Cases are heard at first instance by single Judges...
system. Eventually, after a total of six court cases, costing the federal government some A$
Australian dollar
The Australian dollar is the currency of the Commonwealth of Australia, including Christmas Island, Cocos Islands, and Norfolk Island, as well as the independent Pacific Island states of Kiribati, Nauru and Tuvalu...
22 million, the courts ruled that Rudge had not engaged in any illegal activity, and he was permitted to resume his banking practices unhindered. He has issued several sets of coins and banknotes in the name of the Royal Bank of Avram since the 1980s (the most recent of which are dated 2005) and has asserted to a number of media representatives that the bank operates from a number of unspecified sites inside and outside of Tasmania.
Rudge's success in what was perceived by many as a David and Goliath
Goliath (Bible)
Goliath , جليات Ǧulyāt ) known also as Goliath of Gath is a figure in the Hebrew Bible . Described as a giant Philistine warrior, he is famous for his combat with the young David, the future king of Israel...
battle ensured him a degree of notoriety, and this later assisted his election as a conservative member of the Tasmanian state parliament, where he served a single term and held the position of Shadow Minister for Construction. He later served as a councilor and Deputy Mayor
Mayor
In many countries, a Mayor is the highest ranking officer in the municipal government of a town or a large urban city....
of the municipal council of Sorell
Sorell Council
Sorell Council is a Local Government Area of Tasmania, Australia. The municipality of Sorell is one of the fastest growing areas in Tasmania....
. His term of office on the council was at times controversial. On one occasion, accusations of corruption made by him against a council employee resulted in legal action being initiated against him by the offended party.
The 'Duke' claims dozens of "noble" and "religious" titles (among them "Earl of Enoch" and "Cardinal Archbishop of The Royal See"), which he asserts are of ancient origin. He also claims to be the grand master of a handful of ancient orders of chivalry (all of which are unknown to independent scholars), and to travel on an Australian passport
Passport
A passport is a document, issued by a national government, which certifies, for the purpose of international travel, the identity and nationality of its holder. The elements of identity are name, date of birth, sex, and place of birth....
that lists his various titles. However, none of these claims are verifiable, and most of the Duke's titles appear to be of relatively modern hermetic kabbalistic origins. The Duke has also frequently promoted his biographical entry in a publication entitled Who's Who of the World - where he is listed between Sir
Sir
Sir is an honorific used as a title , or as a courtesy title to address a man without using his given or family name in many English speaking cultures...
Elton John
Elton John
Sir Elton Hercules John, CBE, Hon DMus is an English rock singer-songwriter, composer, pianist and occasional actor...
and Pope John Paul II
Pope John Paul II
Blessed Pope John Paul II , born Karol Józef Wojtyła , reigned as Pope of the Catholic Church and Sovereign of Vatican City from 16 October 1978 until his death on 2 April 2005, at of age. His was the second-longest documented pontificate, which lasted ; only Pope Pius IX ...
, and has an entry longer than both - as evidence of the legitimacy of his titles - however the entry is in fact a paid insertion.
The Duchy of Avram has never claimed territory in the manner of other Australian micronations such as the Hutt River Province, and the Duke is on record as saying that the Duchy is a "state of mind".