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Damian Walsh

September 2024 Newsletter

Dear Members and Friends,


Welcome back after a lovely few sunny weeks! We now look forward to our exciting programme for the remainder of the year and are already in the initial stages of planning some exceptional things for 2025 so please watch this space.


Earlier last month I had the opportunity to have lunch with Ross Buchanan, the new Agent General for Queensland, to welcome him back to London. He takes over from Dave Stewart who has returned to Australia after a very active and successful tenure as AG. Ross has a head start as he was here as Deputy Agent General 2007-2009 so knows the environment and the markets very well. I expect we will see Ross at our upcoming events where you will have the opportunity to meet or reacquaint and welcome Ross and Niki to London. In that same vein, John Langoulant, Agent General for Western Australia, has announced that he is returning to Australia later this year. During his tenure, John has made an enormous contribution to Western Australian trade and investment and also as a Board Member of the Britain-Australia Society. We wish John and Jan well for their return.


We have our President’s Reception with Lord Hague on 17 September, 6-8pm (details below). This event has now sold out. However we always try and include as many people as possible and are looking at making some more spaces available. If you would like to attend, please email Marina by clicking here and we will do our best to accommodate you and your guests. This year I will join Lord Hague in a discussion on a variety of topics touching on current world affairs, and particularly the new UK Government's engagement with Australia and the Indo-Pacific region. Lord Hague also looks forward to meeting as many of you as possible during the drinks reception following our discussion.


On 9 October, 6-8pm we have the next in the series of our “First Eight” lectures where Dr David Headon will examine the intriguing life and times of Australia’s 6th Prime Minister, Joseph Cook - a political maverick who rose from the coalmines of Britain to become an Australian Prime Minister as well as Australian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom. This event is kindly supported by the Australian Studies Institute of ANU. Thanks to the Australian Studies Institute, we are delighted to report that this event is free to all B-AS supporters. However registration is required and numbers are limited so early booking is advised. Please scroll down for further details including the booking link. Thank you also to the Australian High Commission for allowing us to host this event in the beautiful surrounds of the Downer Room - named of course after another Australian High Commissioner.


We will end the year with our fabulous Christmas Carols (and Christmas drinks) at St Mary-le-Bow at 4:30pm on 5 December. Again, the Christmas Carols are free to attend though registration will be required (details to follow later this year).


And on 25 January 2025 we are co-hosting a fabulous black tie gala with the Australia Foundation at the brand new Peninsula Hotel in celebration of Australia and all Australians in the UK. We have worked very hard to secure an array of leading corporates with British-Australian interests to sponsor this event to enable us to sell individual tickets at more affordable levels than in past years. Tickets will be £360pp (including VAT) with tables of 10 which includes a champagne reception, delicious 3 course meal designed by our celebrity Australian chef, beautiful wines from Yalumba, entertainment, awards and much much more! We will release booking details shortly. We have been inundated with requests regarding this event and it will sell out very quickly. Please do keep an eye on your inboxes and start putting a table together or we can of course seat you with other B-AS friends and supporters. A special thank you to all our sponsors and particularly National Australia Bank who is the Naming Sponsor and QANTAS and BAE Systems who are Award Sponsors this year.


Finally, after a few years' hiatus, the AFL Grand Final Lunch is back and will be held on Thursday 26 September, 12.30-3.30pm at the Kia Oval in London. For all those Aussie Rules fans out there, this is an event not to be missed with guest speakers, prizes and a delicious lunch. For more information including how to book tickets please click here. And turning to another code of football, a huge congratulations to Sam Burgess who has been announced as the first English international to be inducted into the Australian National Rugby League Hall of Fame - an exceptional honour for a very talented player.


Looking forward to seeing as many of you as possible on 17 September.


Best wishes,


Damian Walsh

Chair




 








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