EVENTS CALENDAR
Manuia - Curator's Talk
American Indian Community House 15-Mar-10 |
- International Chambers Networking Event on 16-Mar-10
- AUSTRADE - Digital Media Innovation Showcase on 17-Mar-10
- DEBRA LUCCIO: Images of Dance on 18-Mar-10
- SF: Word of Mouth + Advance Your Idea on 22-Mar-10
- Free Tax & Immigration Seminar on 23-Mar-10
- The Sunburnt Calf Preview Night on 24-Mar-10
- The Aussie BBQ on 25-Mar-10
A message from the California Committee Chair
Dear Association Members and Friends:It was lovely to meet so many of you at AAA California events over the past few weeks.
The tremendous success of our recent events has been due to the hard work of the California Committee. It is encouraging to see connections developing between individuals and businesses alike. Please see the links below for photos of recent events.
Particular thanks go to The Hon Chris de Cure OAM, Consul-General of Australia who invited the Association to co-host the Deputy Prime Minister of Australia’s Garden Party at his Residence on October 4th, and to the Association team in New York who greatly assisted us in the organization of the afternoon. The event attracted many distinguished guests from the business and cultural communities.
During the afternoon, Australian Deputy Prime Minister, The Hon Julia Gillard remarked on the strength of the Australian-United States relationship: “This friendship is clearly not limited to inter-government interaction. It goes beyond embassy to embassy relationships because at heart, this is actually an alliance between people, between businesses, between institutions and between cultures. It is about an exchange of ideas and innovation and learning from the strengths and weaknesses of each other.”
In September, over 150 people attended our wine-tasting evening which enabled us to raise a significant contribution towards the Douglas Wisor Memorial Scholarship – a scholarship which provides the opportunity for an American winemaker to study their craft in New Zealand. Thanks to The Hon. John Mataira, Consul-General of New Zealand who hosted the fund raiser at his Residence for the Doug Wisor Scholarship.
I felt honored to represent California members at the Association’s Annual Benefit Dinner in New York on Monday, Nov. 9. The Benefit Dinner raises funds for the Association’s Education Fund (which supports Australians and Americans pursuing advanced education and research) and generated over $1.8 million – a truly outstanding achievement. In an evening filled with inspiration at all levels, not only did the Honorees Chevron and Amgen stir the crowd with their presentations on the history and achievements of their corporations, but also the Education Fellows from disciplines such as astrophysics, neurological science and clean technology left the audience gasping with admiration at their brilliance and the potential impact of their research to society.
Chevron Chairman & CEO, David O’Reilly quoted the Irish poet W.B.Yeats: “Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire”. These young Fellows are the embodiment of that philosophy.
To further strengthen our California team, we are actively seeking new Committee Members, particularly in the fields of travel and tourism. If you have an interest in serving on the California Committee please submit your application and resume to marinabatliwalla@hotmail.com by December 12, 2009.
In California, we are planning a Tax and Immigration Panel in early 2010. If you have an expertise in either of these areas and an interest in presenting on this panel then please do contact us. With the holidays upon us once more, the Committee wishes all of you a Very Safe, Happy and Peaceful Thanksgiving.
Marina Batliwalla
AAA California Committee Chair
November 2009
Marina Batliwalla
AAA California Committee Chair
November 2009