September 2026 Newsletter

Dear Members and Friends

I think this is the longest summer I’ve experienced in my 26 years in London. And it’s not over yet. In our last newsletter, we set out the dates of our upcoming events.

As we kick off the second half of the year, I am looking forward to seeing many of you on Wednesday 9 September at the RM Williams flagship store on Jermyn Street for “RM Williams - the Making of an Australian Icon”. Thanks to SA Agent General Leon Bignell and the team at Vinarchy for the fabulous St Hugo Signature Chardonnay and St Hugo Signature GSM we will be serving.

The RM Williams event sold out very quickly but for those of you that missed out, we still have some tickets available for our annual President’s Reception on 23 September at Australia House when Lord Hague will be joined in conversation with our High Commissioner, HE The Hon Jay Weatherill AO, examining some of the biggest issues impacting Australia and the UK today. For those of you that have not attended our President’s Reception in past years, you will know that Lord Hague is one of the great global statesmen and a brilliant speaker and our High Commissioner, long term Premier of South Australia, is now at the front line of Australia’s relationship with the UK. Given the state of geopolitical affairs and mutual Australia/UK interests, this conversation is not one to be missed. It will be a fascinating discussion and a fabulous evening. For more information, please scroll down or you can book your tickets here.

We’ve also just updated our website with the photos from our wonderful event in support of the Sydney Philharmonia Choirs back in July. A selected highlight is below and you can see more on our website here. Again, apologies to those of you that were caught up in the unfortunate security issues at Australia House.

Please also save the date for another fascinating discussion we will host on 22 October, 6-8pm. This time we will be privileged to hear from our Deputy High Commissioner, Ms Elisabeth Bowes PSM, discussing “Australia’s Place in the Commonwealth” with Lord Marland, Chair of the Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council (CWEIC), and moderated by B-AS Board member and CWEIC CEO, Samantha Cohen CVO OBE. Details will be released soon!

Finally, our B-AS AGM will be held on Monday 28 September, 5pm in the Australia Centre. We warmly invite all our B-AS Members to attend. The relevant papers will be circulated well in advance of that meeting. Do come along to hear about what we have been up to and our future plans and join us for a glass or two afterwards! Pre-registration will be required as a list of guests must be given the to the Australia House guards prior to the meeting (and for catering purposes).

As you know, we have been working this year to support the Britain-Australia Society Education Trust (BASET) and we are making great strides with our campaign to help fund the important work they do in providing life-changing educational opportunities for young Australian and British people. BASET is hosting an exceptional event at Carvers Hill Estate vineyard and warmly invites all B-AS supporters to attend. This event is nearly sold out but there are some places still available and I strongly encourage you all to attend to hear some uplifting stories from BASET while enjoying a beautiful September’s evening at Carvers Hill Estate. Tickets are £240 pp (including VAT) for dinner, magnificent wines and entertainment. Please scroll down for more details and please click here for more information.

And of course September would not be complete without the annual AFL Grand Final lunch being held on Friday 25 September. Tickets are still on sale for this fun day out and further details and booking link are below.

November will also see two magnificent black tie events in aid of two charities very important to us all at the B-AS. On 3 November, London Legacy is hosting a reception at the Fusiliers’ Officers Mess in the Tower of London, a unique location not ordinarily open to the public. Scroll down for booking details.

And 12 November sees the glorious biennial gala in aid of the Royal Flying Doctor Service, one of Australia’s most important charities, at the iconic Dorchester Hotel. This year’s theme is “Under the Southern Cross” with a three course menu, wines from Voyager Estate and compered by the incomparable Adam Hills. There is limited availability left to attend this event so please act swiftly. Tickets are £350 (including VAT) pp or you may wish to host a table (of 10). Please click here.

Finally we have TWO very special offers for all our B-AS Members this month!

First, we have two tickets to give away to one lucky Member to original Australian supernatural thriller “Leviticus” written by Adrian Chiarella and screening in UK cinemas from 2 September. Entry details below.

AND we have a pair of tickets to see the talented Tara Minton, Australian blues-harpist and vocalist, at the launch of her new record at the iconic Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club in Soho on 11 September. I’ve seen Tara perform at Ronnie Scott’s before and I have my tickets for this performance. She is brilliant and Ronnie Scott’s is a stunning venue! Again, you can enter by scrolling down but if you are not lucky enough to win this time, I encourage you to come along with me to support Tara.

Looking to October, the inaugural OzLit Fest (a FANZA/High Commission initiative) is taking place on 18 October at Foyles in Charing Cross, spotlighting Australian writing and ideas. A stellar line-up is planned including in-person appearances from leading literary figures including Heather Morris, Evie Wyld and Kathy Lette and a live stream link from Tim Winton in WA. For more information please click this link. Registration will be required.

We would like to thank all our B-AS Members for all their support during the year and at our events. Without you we could not consistently deliver exciting and relevant events and experiences. We need your help! Please continue to support us and tell all your friends. To become a Member of the B-AS please click here. We also have Corporate Memberships available and a plethora of sponsorship opportunities throughout the year. We would love to hear from you. Please reach out at any time to our CEO, Louise Mulley, by clicking here.

Best wishes,

Damian Walsh

Chair