Last week, the American Australian Association was delighted to kick off the first of our 75th Anniversary celebrations at Admiralty House, Sydney, generously hosted by His Excellency General the Hon. David Hurley AC DSC (Ret.), Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia, and Her Excellency Mrs. Linda Hurley.
Founded in New York City in June 1948 by Sir Keith Murdoch, the Association’s programs have connected our two cultures, guided our people and provided new opportunities for a diverse network of trail blazers for over 75 years. Ms. Penny Fowler, Chair, Herald & Weekly Sun and News Corp Community Ambassador attended the celebration and spoke of her grandfather’s early vision ‘As a regular visitor to the US Grandfather understood with typical acumen that the Association could serve Australia’s commercial and strategic interests by helping Australia become a go-to destination for investors globally and to do so with the US as a loyal friend always in its corner’.
We were joined by American and Australian business leaders, many of our Sydney based Graduate Education, Veteran & Art scholars, and special guests including Hon. John Howard, Hon Julie Bishop, Hon Joe Hockey, Hon Wayne Swan, Hon. John Olsen, United States Charge d’Affaires Ms. Erika Olson and Consul General Ms. Christine Elder.
On behalf of our Australian Chair, Leila Smith, we thank all who were able to join us, and for your generous ongoing commitment to supporting our mission and programs over the past 75-years. Together we look forward to the next 75-years with much optimism for the future of American-Australian relations.