60th Anniversary Honorees (1998 - 2007)

Rupert Murdoch AC
Chairman & CEO
News Corporation

Rupert Murdoch is Chairman and CEO of News Corporation, one of the world's largest diversified media companies. Mr. Murdoch was born in Melbourne, Australia, and has been awarded the Companion of the Order of Australia for services to the media and to newspaper publishing in particular. In 1954, Mr. Murdoch took control of News Limited, an Australian-based public corporation whose only key asset at the time was a majority interest in the number-two daily newspaper in Adelaide, South Australia. Since then, he has overseen the expansion and development of News Corporation as it has become a world leading media company. Throughout News Corporation's history, he and his family have been closely involved with various educational, cultural, medical and charitable organizations throughout the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, Asia and Israel. 

The American Australian Association honored Mr. Murdoch at its 50th Anniversary Benefit Dinner in New York in 1998.

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Jill Ker Conway
Author and Educator

Jill Ker Conway was born in Hillston, NSW. The story of her early lifeis known to many who have read her best-selling memoir The Road from Coorain. In 1975, Dr. Conway became the first woman President of Smith College and served ten years in that post. Since 1985, she has been a Visiting Scholar and Professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Dr. Conway is a director of a number of major American companies including Merrill Lynch and Co., Inc., Colgate-Palmolive Co., and Nick, Inc. Most recently she was named Chairman of Lend Lease Corporation. She has received thirty-eight honorary degrees and awards from North American and Australian colleges, universities and women’s organizations.

The American Australian Association honored Dr. Conway at the New York Annual Benefit Dinner in 1999.

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James Wolfensohn AO KBE
President Emeritus
World Bank

James Wolfensohn became the 9th President of the World Bank in 1995, as nominated by President Bill Clinton. He was unanimously supported by the Bank's Board of Executive Directors to a second five-year term in 2000, becoming the third person to serve two terms in the position. Upon stepping down as President, he founded Wolfensohn & Company, LLC, a privately held firm that invests and provides strategic consulting advice to governments and large corporations. Since 2006, he has also been the chairman of the International Advisory Board of Citigroup. Mr. Wolfensohn was a member of the Australian fencing team at the 1956 Summer Olympics in Melbourne and an officer in the Royal Australian Air Force. He has received numerous awards throughout his life, including becoming an honorary officer of the Order of Australia in 1987, and an honorary knighthood of the Order of the British Empire in 1995 for his service to the arts.

The American Australian Association honored Mr. Wolfensohn at the 2000 Annual Benefit Dinner in New York.

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Geoffrey Bible
Chairman Emeritus
Philip Morris Companies

Geoffrey Bible was elected Chairman and CEO of Philip Morris Companies Inc. in 1995, having previously served as President and CEO of the corporation since 1994. Mr. Bible joined Philip Morris Europe in 1968, where he served as Manager of Finance and Director of Planning for Philip Morris Europe/Middle East/Africa. From 1978 to 1981, he was Vice President of Philip Morris International. He served as Managing Director, Philip Morris Australia from 1981 to 1983, when he became Executive Vice President. From 1987 to 1990, he served as President and CEO of Philip Morris International Inc. and from 1990 to 1991, President and Cheif Administrative Officer of Kraft General Foods Inc.

The American Australian Association's 2001 Annual Benefit Dinner in New York featured Mr. Bible as the Guest of Honor.

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Peter Lowy
Chief Executive Officer
Westfield LLC

Peter Lowy was appointed Managing Director of Westfield Holdings in 1997 and also serves as CEO of Westfield LLC, one of the leading owners of regional shopping centers in the United States. Prior to joining Westfield in 1983, Mr. Lowy worked in investment banking both in London and in New York. He serves on the Executive Committee and Board of Governors for the National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts; is a member of the management board of the European Public Real Estate Association; and is on the RAND Corporation Board of Trustees. He also serves on the Board of Directors of the Lowy Institute for International Policy (Australia), the Executive Committee of the Washington Institute for Near East Policy and the board of the Homeland Security Advisory Council.

The American Australian Association honored Mr. Lowy at the 2002 Annual Benefit Dinner in New York.

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Douglas Daft AC
Chairman & CEO Emeritus
The Coca-Cola Company

Douglas Daft was elected Chairman, Board of Directors, and CEO of The Coca-Cola Company in 2000. He is the 11th Chairman of the Board in the history of the company. Mr. Daft joined the company in 1969 as Planning Officer in the Sydney office. He held positions of increasing responsibilities throughout Asia and in 1982 was named Vice President of Coca-Cola Far East Ltd. In 1988, Mr. Daft was named President of the North Pacific Division and President of Coca-Cola (Japan) Co., Ltd. He moved to the company's Atlanta headquarters in 1991 to assume the responsibility of President of the Pacific Group and in 1999 his responsibilities were expanded to include the Company's Africa Group, and Schweppes Beverage Division, as well as the Middle and Far East Group. Mr. Daft was elected President and COO of the company in 1999.

The American Australian Association honored Mr. Daft at the 2003 Annual Benefit Dinner in New York.

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Greg Norman AM
Chairman & CEO
Great White Shark Enterprises

All Australians knew countryman Greg Norman after his first professional victory in the 1976 West Lakes Classic, but it was the 1981 Masters Tournament where the "Great White Shark" was introduced to the world. Since that event, which saw the 26 year-old lead after round one and eventually finish fourth, Mr. Norman has amassed 90 international victories, including two coveted British Open Championships and 20 U.S. PGA Tour titles. His record, coupled with his immense contribution to the game of golf, earned him a place in the World Golf Hall of Fame. For his countless accomplishments, Mr. Norman garnered the highest percentage of votes of anyone that has been inducted into golf's most exclusive fraternity. In addition to his remarkable on-course achievements, his successes in the boardroom have been equally impressive. As Chairman and CEO of Great White Shark Enterprises, a multinational corporation with businesses such as Greg Norman Golf Course Design, Medallist Developments, and Greg Norman Turf Company, Collection, Estate Wines, and Australian Grille.

The American Australian Association honored Mr. Norman at the Annual Benefit Dinner in New York in 2004.

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Andrew Liveris
Chairman, President & CEO
The Dow Chemical Company

Andrew N. Liveris is President, CEO, and Chairman of The Dow Chemical Company, a $54 billion global chemical, plastics and agrosciences company based in Midland, Michigan. Mr. Liveris' 32-year Dow career has spanned manufacturing, engineering, sales, marketing, and business and general management. He has spent the bulk of his career in Asia, where he was general manager for the company's operations in Thailand, and later head of all Asia-Pacific operations.  He began his Dow career in 1976 in Australia. He has been a member of Dow's Board of Directors since February, 2004, and was elected as Chairman of the Board in April, 2006.

The American Australian Association's 2005 Annual Benefit Dinner in New York featured Mr. Liveris as the Guest of Honor.

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Paul Anderson
Chairman
Spectra Energy

Paul Anderson currently serves as Chairman of the Board for Spectra Energy. Prior to the launch of Spectra Energy in January 2007, Mr. Anderson served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer for Duke Energy Corp., a role he assumed in November 2003. He had served as President and Chief Operating Officer of Duke Energy immediately following the 1997 merger of Duke Power and PanEnergy. At the time of the merger, he was Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of PanEnergy. Mr. Anderson’s career with Spectra Energy, Duke Energy and its predecessor companies spans more than 20 years, and he has been instrumental in the company’s successful evolution and growth. Mr. Anderson was appointed to the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST) in 2006 by President George W. Bush.

The American Australian Association honored Mr. Anderson at the Annual Benefit Dinner in New York in 2006.

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W. James McNerney, Jr.
Chairman, President & CEO
The Boeing Company

Jim McNerney was elected Chairman, President, and CEO of The Boeing Company in July 2005 and he has served as a member of the company's board since 2001. Mr. McNerney oversees the strategic direction of the Chicago-based, $61.5 billion aerospace company. With more than 153,000 employees, Boeing is the largest manufacturer of commercial jetliners and military aircraft, with capabilities in rotorcraft, electronics and defense systems, missiles, satellites and advanced information and communications. Previously, Mr. McNerney held the position as Chairman and CEO of 3M, a $20 billion global technology company with leading positions in electronics, telecommunications, industrial, consumer, and office products, health care, safety, and other businesses. He joined 3M in 2001 after 19 years at the General Electric Company in top executive positions. Prior to joining GE, he worked at Procter & Gamble and McKinsey & Co.

Mr. McNerney was the Guest of Honor at the American Australian Association 2007 Annual Benefit Dinner in New York.

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