September 2025 Newsletter

Dear Members and Friends,

What a fabulous summer it has been in the United Kingdom with glorious weather. I hope you have had a chance to enjoy it wherever you may have been.

In July, our CEO, Louise Mulley, had the chance to catch up with the NSW President of the Australia-Britain Society to share ideas and explore ways in which our sister organisations can work together. We hope to report more on that in due course. In August, the House of Oz, led by the inimitable Georgie Black KC (also a long time B-AS supporter), had another exceptional run at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Once again, the House of Oz championed Australian creativity on the global stage with eight productions and 150 performances over the length of the Fringe Festival. The reviews have been outstanding. Congratulations to Georgie and the team from the House of Oz!

Speaking of the arts, a major retrospective of the works of Emily Kam Kngwarray (c1914 - 1996) launched in July at the Tate Modern and runs until mid January 2026. One of the world’s most significant painters to emerge in the late 20th century, Emily's lived experience and cultural connections to Country were translated into vibrant batiks and later monumental paintings on canvas. Emily's art embodies her detailed knowledge of the places where she lived throughout her life with layered motifs representing the plants, animals and geological features that formed the desert ecosystems around her. Created in collaboration with the National Gallery of Australia (NGA), this is the first large-scale presentation of Emily's work ever held in Europe and a celebration of her extraordinary career as one of Australia’s greatest artists. This really is a stunning exhibition. I was fortunate to be at the Tate Modern for the official opening of the exhibition and I have been back since for a second viewing. Get along there if you can.

Looking forward, 17 September sees our inaugural “Great Debate” which will be held in the historic and very beautiful surrounds of the Old Hall at Lincoln's Inn. Our distinguished panel of experts will debate "Is Australia Still the Lucky Country". Australian British Chamber of Commerce Chair, Andrew Low, Will Kingston, Spectator journalist and the host of podcast "Fire at Will", and Elizabeth Ames, Chair of the Advisory Board of Australia Studies at Kings, will go head to head in the ancient surrounds of London's oldest Inns of Court. Chair of Resolution Life and publisher of Prospect magazine, Sir Clive Cowdery, has generously agreed to be our moderator. 

Lincoln's Inn has kindly agreed for us to accommodate a few more people - please click here to book your place. I strongly advise you not to miss this fascinating discussion and networking reception in a rare venue. A huge thank you to our principal sponsor, Nepean. Many will recognise the name Nepean from various parts of Australia. Fewer may know Nepean, the UK-based communications and reputation advisory firm founded by Gavin Davis, who spent his holidays at Point Nepean on the Mornington Peninsula. A special thanks also to Prospect Publishing for its support and Laurence Emmett KC, Chair of the Anglo-Australasian Lawyers Society, who helped us secure such a magnificent venue. We also look forward to welcoming members of the AALS to the event.

Our annual AGM will be held at 5pm on Monday 29 September 2025 in our usual rooms in the Australia Centre. The formal notice of meeting and AGM papers will be circulated to Members once approved at our next B-AS Board meeting. As always, we would be delighted to see as many of our Members as possible at the AGM and for you to join us for a drink afterwards. More will follow in the coming days.

As previously announced, 1 October is the date for our annual President’s Reception with Lord Hague of Richmond. Lord Hague is widely recognised for his insight on world events, the transatlantic alliance, and the evolving role of the UK in the Indo-Pacific. Drawing on his distinguished career at the heart of British politics and diplomacy, Lord Hague offers a unique perspective on the challenges and opportunities facing both the United Kingdom and Australia in an increasingly complex global landscape. Many of you will have heard William speak to us in past years and know what a privilege it is attend this annual reception in the beautiful surrounds of the Exhibition Hall of Australia House. Tickets are now on sale but please get in quickly to avoid disappointment. Please scroll down for information.

Please also save the date of 5 November for the next First Eight Lecture which this year will be held at Kings College London where Professor David Headon AM from the Australian Studies Institute of the Australian National University will speak to us on the life and times of Billy Hughes, Australia's seventh Prime Minister, who led Australia through WW1. Hughes was a brilliant, combative and controversial figure who shaped modern Australia’s political identity, especially its independence in foreign policy, but whose relentless ambition and divisive tactics often left scars in national politics. To me, Hughes was one of the most interesting of Australia’s First Eight Prime Ministers and I expect this talk will be the highlight of the series so far. I encourage you to come along. Ticket details will be released in due course.

Later this month, on 30 September, the Australia House Ensemble will perform at the beautiful Kings Chapel of the Savoy. The ensemble includes some of the most talented Australian classical musicians performing with the UK’s leading orchestras and it will be a treat to hear them perform in this beautiful chapel. The orchestra will be performing works by Australian and other composers including Ravel, Rossini and Mozart. Tim Dillon, Agent General for Victoria (and B-AS Board Member), is the new Patron of this unique ensemble. Tim succeeds the Hon George Brandis KC, the founding Patron. We have a very special offer this month for our B-AS Members. The AHE is giving away TWO tickets to one lucky B-AS Member to attend the concert. For more information on the evening and to enter the competition, please scroll down. To enter the competition you have to be a B-AS Member and to become a Member and support the work we do, please click here.

Let me give a special shout out and thank you to Professor Margaret Mayston AM, founder of the Australia House Ensemble, for the opportunities this gives to young Australian musicians in the UK and for the pleasure it brings to those of us who go along to enjoy hearing them play.  

And, for all our B-AS supporters, we have a limited time offer from our friends at the Royal Over-Seas League, the home for many years now of our sell out Summer Garden Party. Up until 30 November 2025, all B-AS supporters will receive a waived joining fee when applying for membership at ROSL with its Grade 1 listed clubhouse and beautiful garden overlooking Green Park in the heart of St James. To apply or even just to arrange a tour and learn more, please contact the ROSL Membership Team at membership@rosl.org.uk, quoting ‘The Britain-Australia Society”. Our B-AS Patron, His Majesty King Charles III, is also the Patron of ROSL.

Finally, the B-AS office team were excited to learn that stalwart of the British High Street, Marks & Spencer, has launched a range of lamingtons! Louise Mulley was asked to comment last week on the Times Radio breakfast programme regarding her thoughts on the matter. You can hear Louise on the links on our Instagram and Linkedin pages. While you are there, please follow us as we continue to build our social media presence. Of course the B-AS team has also been well provided with wonderful lamingtons over the years from our friends at Australian-owned and run the Daisy Green Group. Why not try a compare and contrast?

Best wishes

Damian Walsh

Chair