November 2025 Newsletter

Dear Members and Friends,

I've just returned from Australia to find the days getting markedly shorter and our next major event on tomorrow!

On Wednesday 5 November  we have the next of our "First Eight" Lectures with Professor David Headon AM from the Australian Studies Institute of the Australian National University. Professor Headon will speak on the life and times of Billy Hughes, Australia's seventh Prime Minister, who led Australia through WW1 and remains one of Australia's most debated historical political figures. His legacy is marked by his strong views, abrasive manner and several major political clashes. Professor Headon's take on this will be fascinating. The event, to be held at King's College, London, booked out very quickly but please click here if you would like to join the wait list.

And we have just launched our 2025 Christmas Carol service! For the first time, the Britain-Australia Society is bringing other organisations with Australian-British interests together on Thursday 4 December, 4.30pm at the church of St Clement Danes, adjacent to Australia House, for this uplifting event. For many years, our Carols event was held at St Mary-le-Bow in the City but capacity was limited. St Clement Danes can accommodate several hundred guests and attendance is free thanks to the generosity of our event sponsor, the Daisy Green Collection. And we are excited to announce that Penfolds have just offered to provide their recent Penfolds Champagne Cuvee Brut for our guests to enjoy after the service. This event has now booked out but please click here if you would like to join our waitlist. 

We work closely with many organisations with Australian-British interests including the Britain-Australia Society Education Trust (BASET) which provides talented young people with life changing opportunities to develop new skills, broaden horizons and realise potential through its Pioneer and Endeavour Awards. For many years John May has chaired BASET and is now stepping down. We thank John for his many years of passionate, dedicated service to this incredible charity and send a very warm welcome to Greg Mulley, the new Chair. You can learn more about BASET here.

In fact, the team at BASET were instrumental in supporting the Admiral Arthur Phillip Trust in hosting their new format service and reception in memory of Admiral Phillip. I was privileged to attend the service on Monday 6 October and to hear the excellent address delivered by former Australian High Commissioner, Alexander Downer AM. It was a wonderful evening celebrating the extraordinary contribution of this great man. I encourage you all to attend next year. 

Those of you who attended the President's Reception with Lord Hague on 1 October (reported on in the last Newsletter) recall that I gave a shout out to Ms Rebecca Tomkinson, our new Agent General for Western Australia, who had just arrived in London. Let me now more formally extend a very warm welcome to Rebecca, who is now firmly in post. Rebecca has held several senior executive and non-executive roles, and was most recently the CEO of the Chamber of Minerals and Energy of Western Australia. Some of you may have already met Rebecca at the President's Reception but we look forward to seeing more of her at our upcoming events. 

Tuesday 11 November is Remembrance Day and there will again be a service at the Australian War Memorial at Hyde Park Corner. I will be there to lay a wreath on behalf of all Britain-Australia Society Members. Some of you might want to join me there for this short but moving service.

On Thursday 27 November, Louise and I are looking forward to attending the Anglo-Australasian Lawyers Society annual black tie dinner in the Old Hall, Lincoln's Inn, which as you will recall was the magnificent setting of our Great Debate earlier this year. The after dinner speaker is the accomplished Dame Elizabeth Gloster, formerly a Lady Justice of Appeal and now a leading international arbitrator. The AALS warmly invites all B-AS supporters to attend with tickets at £155 for drinks and a fabulous dinner. Please direct all booking enquiries by clicking here.

Finally, our wonderful offer with Australian Vintners, wine sponsors of last month's President’s Reception, is running until the end of this month with 10% off all orders. Please scroll down for details. What a great way to stock up for those Christmas parties! I am already enjoying the exceptional wines I ordered straight after the President's Reception. Our sponsors generously support us and, in return, it's great if we can all support them.

And don't forget to follow us on Instagram and Linkedin for further updates! If you are not already a Member of the B-AS, please click here to support us and the work we do.

Best wishes,

Damian Walsh

Chair