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31-Oct-08 11:00 AM EST

Geoff Dixon Honored; Raises Money for Education at the 2008 California Benefit Dinner

On October 20, 2008 the American Australian Association held a benefit dinner honoring Geoff Dixon, Chief Executive Officer of Qantas Airways, at the private residence of Alex and Linda Cappello in Los Angeles. Special guests for the high-level dinner included Captain John Travolta, Qantas Ambassador, and Neil Perry, Qantas Executive Chef, who created a special menu for the evening.

Mr. Dixon was recognized for his leadership of Qantas and on the historic occasion of the inaugural Qantas Airbus A380 flight from Melbourne to Los Angeles. Mr. Dixon joined Qantas 14 years ago and was appointed CEO in March of 2001, steering Qantas through a turbulent period in the aviation industry to remain competitive. Qantas is widely regarded to the world’s best long distance airline.

The California Benefit Dinner raised funds for the Association’s many programs and activities. In particular, the dinner benefited the organization’s Education Fund. The Fund was launched in 2002 and is now the leading program for post graduate educational exchange between the United States and Australia. To date, more than 75 outstanding Fellows have received awards totaling more than $2 million ($U.S.). Qantas is a named supporter of an Educational Fellowship.

This was the second benefit dinner to be held in Los Angeles by the Association. A high-level Benefit Dinner honoring Rupert Murdoch, AO, and Mel Gibson was held in 2006 to establish the Association in California.

Top Photo from left to right: Alex Cappello, Geoff Dixon, John Travolta and Malcolm Binks

Bottom Photo: Marina Batliwalla. California Committee Chair, and Special Guest John Travolta