

2025 Australia Benefit Dinner
Reception: 6:00 PM
Dinner: 7:00 PM
Hilton Sydney
488 George St,
Sydney NSW 2000, Australia
Contact
[email protected]
In celebrating our many differences, Americans and Australians have always come together under a common belief in freedom, openness and optimism to unite our two countries. The Australia Benefit Dinner will celebrate and honour exemplary leaders of significance who advance and strengthen our alliance and inspire others to do the same through their visionary leadership and actions.
This special evening will bring together a distinguished audience of over 400 attendees at the Hilton Sydney, reflecting the depth and breadth of the American Australian partnership. From executive-level business leaders and senior government officials to renowned academics, media figures, and alumni of our scholarship programs, the room will represent the shared values and collaborative spirit that define our community. Their presence underscores the importance of our mission and the collective commitment to shaping a more connected and resilient future.
This year we proudly celebrate Mick Farrell, Chairman and CEO of ResMed, and Phillipa Harrison, Former Managing Director of Tourism Australia, whose leadership and innovation continue to shape the future of our nations and deepen the connection between our people. Hosted by one of Australia’s favourite media personalities, David Campbell, guests will also enjoy a performance from rising star Jess Hitchcock and a set by ARIA winning singer-songwriter, Delta Goodrem to round out the celebrations.
Funds raised from the dinner are integral in supporting the Association and the next generation of American and Australian leaders to strengthen industry and research capacity, develop solutions to pressing global issues, and foster international collaborations through our Graduate, Veteran and Arts scholarship programs. Many of our alumni have become notable thought leaders in their fields, and you will have the chance to hear from some of these innovative leaders during the evening. More than an awards night, this celebration is an opportunity to expand your connections with unmatched networks and insights.
Your crucial support allows us to continue fostering the talent of our future leaders.
All proceeds from this event directly support the American Australian Association and its Scholarship Programs – providing life-changing educational scholarships to Americans and Australians. Your participation helps open doors to new opportunities for our next generation.
2025 HONOUREES

Mick Farrell
Chairman and CEO, Resmed
Michael “Mick” Farrell was appointed Resmed’s CEO and has served as a director since March 2013. In January 2023, he was appointed chairman of our board of directors. Mick joined the company in 2000, serving as president of the Americas region from 2011 to 2013, senior vice president of the global sleep apnea business unit from 2007 to 2011, and various senior roles in marketing and business development. Before joining Resmed, Mick worked in management consulting, biotechnology, chemicals and metals manufacturing at companies including Arthur D. Little, Sanofi Genzyme, Dow Chemical, and BHP.
Mick serves on the board of directors of Resmed, the Advanced Medical Technology Association (AdvaMed) and Zimmer Biomet (NYSE: ZBH), a market-leading public company that provides implantable musculoskeletal medical devices for patients globally. Mick is the Lead Independent Director at Zimmer Biomet and is a member of two of their board committees: the compensation and management development committee, as well as the quality, regulatory & technology committee. Mick also volunteers for non-profit organizations: Boston College Engineering Advisory Board, UC San Diego Rady School of Management Dean’s Advisory Council, Rady Children’s Hospital Board, and as a trustee for Father Joe’s Villages’ project for the homeless in San Diego, California.
Mick holds a Bachelor of Engineering with first-class honours from the University of New South Wales, a Master of Science in chemical engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and a Master of Business Administration from the MIT Sloan School of Management.

Phillipa Harrison
Former Managing Director, Tourism Australia
Ms Phillipa Harrison is the Managing Director of Tourism Australia, the Australian Government agency responsible for marketing Australia’s tourism experiences to the world.
In this role, Ms Harrison is responsible for driving Tourism Australia’s strategies to create sustainable demand for Australia’s tourism experiences internationally, and working with the tourism industry to support the sector’s recovery from the impacts of the events of 2020.
Prior to recent crises affecting tourism, Tourism Australia’s efforts were focused on supporting the sector towards achieving its Tourism 2020 strategy goals of growing overnight visitor spend to more than $115 billion annually. A goal which was achieved two years ahead of target, with overnight spend by international and domestic visitors reaching $117 billion in 2018.
Ms Harrison first joined Tourism Australia in February 2017 as Executive General Manager International, to lead the organisation’s international operations for Asia, the Americas, Europe and New Zealand as well as Global Distribution and Partnerships.
This role saw Ms Harrison have responsibility for Tourism Australia’s network of international offices spanning 12 countries as well as managing airline relationships and distribution channels, that are vital for attracting international visitors to Australia.
Prior to joining Tourism Australia, Ms Harrison spent six years working for Hamilton Island Enterprises and before that held a variety of globally-focused senior sales, marketing and product roles across ecommerce, retail and wholesale tourism platforms, based in both London and Sydney.
Ms Harrison holds a Bachelor of Arts (Mass Communication and Psychology) from Macquarie University and an MBA from AGSM at the University of NSW.
ENTERTAINMENT

Delta Goodrem
At the age of 15, Delta Goodrem signed Her first album, Innocent Eyes, was one of the highest-selling debut albums in Australian history. The album spent a record-breaking 29 weeks at #1 and Delta became the first-ever artist to have five #1 singles on the Australian charts from a debut album and was awarded the Australian ARIA Albums Artist of the Decade in 2010 having sold more albums and singles than any other domestic or international artist over the decade.
Delta’s repertoire includes duets with Tony Bennett, Michael Bolton, Men at Work, LeAnn Rimes and Olivia Newton John. She has toured with Ricky Martin and Andrea Bocelli on his US, Asia, and Australia. Written songs for a number of superstar artists including Celine Dion and Olivia Newton John. Delta starred as “Grizabella” in Andrew Lloyd Webber ’s award-winning musical CATS in Australia.
In 2017, Goodrem launched her debut fragrance Delta by Delta Goodrem, smashing records as it debuted as the highest selling fragrance in Australian history. Delta was recently named the first ever Australian & New Zealand ambassador for global cosmetic company, Revlon.
At 16 she joined the cast of prime-time show “Neighbours”. For 9 years she was the longest serving coach on The Voice Australia and a coach on Voice Kids. In 2018, Delta starred in the lead role of her mentor, idol, and good friend, Olivia Newton-John in the superstar’s biopic, Hopelessly Devoted to You.
Delta recently established her own record label and production company – ATLED productions releasing her two most recent singles – Back to your Heart and Hearts on the Run, both enjoying major success across Australia, the UK and Europe.
Recently Delta has undertaken a successful UK and European tour, as well as supporting the Backstreet Boys on their US tour and Shania Twain on her 2024 UK tour.
As a cancer survivor, having been diagnosed with Hodgkins Lymphoma at the age of 18 and successfully treated at St Vincent’s Hospital in Sydney, Delta has made giving back a core mission of her life. In 2020 launched the Delta Goodrem Foundation, which strives to spread kindness, hope and support for those facing illness, hardship and inequality. Delta launched the Foundation through a lead collaboration with St Vincent’s Hospital in Sydney, to help fund medical research in cellular therapy for blood cancers and auto-immune diseases, and has since gone on to support initiatives through Revlon and her Foundation’s recently launched Angels and Heroes program to support Nurse education and recognition.
In 2022, Delta was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for “significant service to the not-for-profit sector, and to the performing arts”.

Photo Credit: Claudio Raschella
Jess Hitchcock
Jess Hitchcock captivates audiences with her powerful voice and evocative storytelling. A singer-songwriter with a unique blend of pop, country, folk, and opera, Jess crafts an enchanting style of song that resonates in its unique sound.
Jess is currently working on a new album while composing an opera, both of which promise to showcase her creative evolution, reaching into multiple genres and transporting listeners through the worlds of her songs.
Jess’s connection to her family throughout the Torres Strait, Papua New Guinea and the Pacific drive her passion to create and advocate for a more just world. With her unique artistry as a genre-defying songwriter and performer, Jess Hitchcock stands out as a distinctive figure in contemporary music.
HOSTED BY

David Campbell
David Campbell is one of Australia’s most popular and versatile entertainers. A proven television and radio host, he also headlines theatre, cabaret and concert performances, as well as being an ARIA winning, multi-platinum recording artist. David was appointed to the Board of the Sydney Opera House on 1 January 2022. He was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia as part of The Queen’s Birthday 2019 Honours List for service to entertainment and the arts. In 2020, David received the Adelaide Cabaret Festival Icon Award, which acknowledges pioneering and leading figures who have had a significant impact on the Australian Cabaret industry.
David is the popular co-host of the national Today Extra show for the Nine Network, as well as the beloved annual Christmas Eve broadcast of Carols by Candlelight and the Sydney Children’s Hospital, Randwick’s 2020 Gold telethon. Also for Nine, David is proud to host the annual ANZAC day special event ‘Music from the Home Front’. In 2019 he co-hosted the Nine Network’s Weekend Today, as well as the high rating, relaunched Wonderful World of Disney. For radio, David presents his own top rating, national weekend afternoon radio show on Smooth FM and in print, David is a regular featured columnist in Stellar, News Corp’s popular Sunday magazine.
David is one of Australia’s leading musical theatre stars and has achieved similar success on the international stage, most notably captivating New York with his award-winning cabaret show.
2025 Partners
PRESENTING
PREMIUM
CLINICAL EXCHANGE PARTNER
GOLD
SILVER
SUPPORTER
Past Benefit Dinners
