Harvard Club of Australia Leadership Program 2013
Developing Commercial Acumen
Linking Business Decisions to Financial Outcomes

From 29 July to 2 August two Finance Professors from the Harvard Business School will be in Sydney to conduct a Leadership Program for senior executives on developing acumen for making business decisions that have good financial outcomes. For information phone: 02 9251 1616  or email: hca@harvardclub.org.au

To review the program please click on the link below:
http://www.harvardclub.org.au/LeadershipProgram.htm

"Boston Tea Party " Gala Dinner 2013

Thursday 16 May 2013, 7.00PM

Clarendon Ballroom, The Langham Melbourne

http://mbscagaladinner2013.eventbrite.com.au

After AAA's successful establishment of the US Studies Centre (USSC) in Sydney 5 years ago, AAA sought and obtained Federal and State (WA) Government support to establish a campus in Perth.

Perth USAsia Centre is a $10 million initiative between AAA, the US Studies Centre and The University of Western Australia with major funding from the Australian and Western Australian Governments and US corporations.

US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton tonight took part in launching the Perth USAsia Centre, a new West Australian-based institution aimed at strengthening the ties between the United States, Australia and the Asian region.

Read the full media release and watch the video

Eric May, Chevron Chair in Gas Process Engineering at the University of Western Australia and former American Australian Fellow (2002) is receiving one of this year’s Prime Minister’s Prizes for Science.

Eric receives the Malcolm McIntosh Prize for Physical Scientist of the Year for his work towards making liquid natural gas a cleaner resource.

The Prime Minister’s Prizes for Science are presented by the Prime Minister and Senator Chris Evans, Minister for Tertiary Education, Skills, Science and Research at the Prize Dinner in the Great Hall of Parliament House on Wednesday 31 October.

Congratulations Eric!

To view the media release click here.

In the wake of the natural disaster affecting the U.S. eastern seaboard, the American Australian Association has established a Hurricane Sandy Relief Fund.

The relief fund will directly support those affected by the recent hurricane.  All donated funds will be re-directed to the relief effort.

The American Australian Association is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization. All donations made are 100 per cent tax deductible.  Please note, the Association will only issue receipts for donations over $US200.

HOW TO DONATE:

ONLINE: http://www.americanaustralian.org/hurricanesandy

BY CHECK: Checks made payable to American Australian Association.  Please include address details and note 'Hurricane Sandy Relief Fund'. Please mail your checks to: America n Australian Association
50 Broadway, Suite 2003, New York, NY 10004

VOLUNTEER

NYC Service will connect you with volunteer opportunities - click here
New Jersey volunteers should call 1-800-JERSEY-7 or email rowena.madden@sos.state.nj.us  Connecticut volunteers should email Red Cross ctvol@ctredcross.org with your email and phone number

Thank you for your support!

The American Australian Association is currently accepting applications for its US to Australia Fellowship Program.

The program offers fellowships of up to AU$30,000 to American researchers or students wishing to undertake advanced research or study in Australia. Through these Educational Fellowships, the Association encourages intellectual collaboration and innovation, building on the strong social and economic partnerships between Australia and the United States.

And with the Lynn University stoush over, that's it for the debates. USSC's Jonathan Bradely provides some thoughts on the third and final presidential meet-up.

The NY Times published a really interesting assessment of "how states may vote, based on polling, previous election results and the political geography in each state"

To view the Electoral Map click here

Bates Gill examines the challenges for the China-US relationship as 2013 will see two newly mandated administrations establishing at the same time.

Read the full article here.

During talks with Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney, Australia's Foreign Minister Bob Carr made an apparant reference to the lack of leadership in Washington and President Obama's management of the US economy.

Carr states he was misrepresented and did not intend on critisising the US.

Read the full strory.

Deputy Premier and Minister for Trade and Investment Andrew Stoner today announced the appointment of NSW's senior business representative in the United States to spearhead the Government's efforts to secure a slice of the technology boom in San Francisco's Silicon Valley.

Mr Stoner said Jason Seed will take up the position of Director, Trade and Investment in the NSW Government Business Office in Redwood City, California next month. "Mr Seed brings considerable business experience in the USA and Australia, and strong business networks to his role in our new business office in Redwood City," Mr Stoner said.

For the full media release, click here

US President Barack Obama is entering the presidential race with a strong lead in foreign policy and national security issues, says foreign policy advisor and scholar Bruce Jentleson, who gave a presentation at the United States Studies Centre last week.

Jentleson is Professor of Public Policy and Political Science at Duke University and has held a range of political appointments including as senior advisor to the US State Department Policy Planning Director during the Obama administration and senior foreign policy advisor in the State Department during the Clinton administration. “President Obama right now has a strong advantage in foreign policy national security issues. That’s been rare for Democratic candidates since the Vietnam period,” Jentleson says in a video interview he did at the United States Studies Centre.

Professor Jentleson says the contrast is stark between Obama’s foreign policy and that of his opponent, presumptive Republican candidate Mitt Romney. Romney’s policy is stuck in the past, he says, while Obama’s looks to the 21st century.

For the full story and video interview, please visit the USSC website.

The United States Studies Centre is hosting a forum on 28 May 2012 in which former Prime Minister Paul Keating will reflect on Australia’s most important international relationship.

From helping found the APEC leaders meeting and the World Trade Organization, to contributing to humanitarian interventions and peacekeeping in Africa, the Keating government worked closely with the administrations of George H.W. Bush and Bill Clinton. Keating will appear at the forum, Reflections on the Shift of Economic Gravity from the Atlantic to the Pacific, in conversation with The Australian newspaper’s Paul Kelly.

For more information and registration, visit the USSC website

Jacques Nasser AO and Lindsay Fox AC were honoured at the AAA Benefit Dinner on 8 February 2012 in Melbourne.

On April 10th, 2012 the American Australian Association Inc. hosted a welcome lunch for Australia's new Minister for Foreign Affairs, Senator the Hon. Bob Carr in New York.

The luncheon was sponsored by JP Morgan Chase and held at their corporate headquarters on Park Avenue.

On Monday 7 May 2012, the American Australian Association along with the NSW Governor - Prof Marie Bashir, US Consul General - Mr Niels Marquardt, the NSW Premier - the Hon. Barry O'Farrell MP and arm forces representatives, came together at Martin Place to mark the 70th Anniversary of the Battle of the Coral Sea.

The Battle of the Coral Sea was fought from 4-8 May 1942.  It was a major naval battle off the north-east coast of Australia between the Imperial Japanese Navy, and Allied Naval and Air Forces from Australia and the United States of America. It was the largest naval battle that has ever been fought off Australia's shores.

Dr Bates Gill has been announced as the United States Studies Centre's new Chief Executive Officer.

Dr Gill is a distinguished think tank leader with strong policy links in the United States, Asia and Europe. His previous positions include serving as the Director of the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), Freeman Chair in China Studies at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, and as inaugural Director of the Center for Northeast Asian Policy Studies at the Brookings Institution.

Dr Gill is expected to take up the appointment in October. Until then, Professor Garrett will continue to serve as CEO of the US Studies Centre in addition to his new duties as Dean of the University of Sydney Business School.

The American Australian Association awards individual Fellowships for advanced study in the USA of upto US$30,000 each year.  The Fellowships build on existing strong social and economic partnerships and foster intellectual exchange between the USA and Australia. 

Study Level:  Research/Study must be at the graduate or post-graduate level.

US Enrolment:  Acceptance into a US educational institution for full-time study.

Citizenship:  Australian citizen or permanent resident of Australia.

Budget: Budget for the research/study period must be for a maximum of US$30,000.  The Fellowships are intended to support part of the costs of 1 year research/study in the USA.

Enquiries, please contact Jhelum Bagchi 

For further details, please click here

Applications close:  15 April 2012

The American Friends of the National Gallery of Australia Inc., in conjuction with the American Australian Association, is offering a scholarship for an Australian graduate or post-graduate student of the Fine Arts or Curatorial Studies wishing to further their studies in the USA.

Applications for the AusArt Fellowship close on 15 April 2012.  Guidelines and application form are available here.

For any questions regarding your application and for submission, please contact Jhelum Bagchi.

To find out about the University of Sydney Business School, the United States Studies Centre (USSC) and the University of California Washington Center (UCDC), please read the attached article.

If you are interested in learning more about the programme, please click here

AAA is pleased to offer the American Political Science Association (APSA) Congressional Fellowship in 2012. Applications close 28 February!

Program: work on Capitol Hill to gain an understanding of the U.S. legislative process
Duration: 9 months starting November 2012
Open to: political scientists, journalists, federal executives or international scholars
Funds: up to US$40,000

For more application information, click here.

University of Queensland Fellow: William Hatleberg
Bowdoin College / University of Queensland
Research Interest: Evolutionary Biology

Sir Keith Murdoch Fellow: David Wilson
Barrow Neurological Institute / Centre for Minimally Invasive Neurosurgery
Research Interest: Neurosurgery


Sir Keith Murdoch Fellow: Rachelle Johnson
Vanderbilt University / St. Vincent’s Institute of Medical Research
Research Interest: Bone Cell Biology

Sir Keith Murdoch Fellow: Rebecca Sweet
Yale University / Australian National University
Research Interest: Autoimmunity

Sir Keith Murdoch Fellow: Talia Mota
UC Davis / University of Melbourne
Research Interest: HIV Latency

Sir Keith Murdoch Fellow: Ashley Moon
Johns Hopkins University / University of Queensland
Research Interest: Medicine

Jeweller and pen designer, Glen Curtis, will join industry heavyweights and high-flyers from the world of film and fashion to judge Rio Tinto’s inaugural design competition in New York.

Glen Curtis, managing director of Curtis Australia said he is honoured to be selected as a judge.

On 4 September, the US Consulate General in Sydney held a tree planting service in honour of the 9/11 Australian victims. 60 representatives from eight of the ten victims' families attended.

The large Hoop Pine and a plaque inscribed with the ten victims' names sits prominently in the Royal Botanic Gardens between the Opera House and Mrs. Macquarie's Chair.

Australians commemorated the tenth anniversary of 9/11 with events in Canberra, Melbourne and Sydney on Sunday 11 September.

Canberra – US Ambassador Jeffrey Bleich led a service on the banks of Lake Burley Griffin. The event was attended by Prime Minister Julia Gillard, Opposition Leader Tony Abbott and other senior government officials. Mr Bleich read a letter from President Barack Obama to Ms Gillard thanking Australia for its “extraordinary” support. Mr Obama said Australia’s support was shown immediately and the enduring support since “has won the lasting affection and gratitude of Americans”.

Melbourne – A commemorative service was held at St Paul’s Cathedral. US Consul General Frank Urbancic Jr attended alongside the Hon. Simon Crean and the Hon. Sophie Mirabella representing the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition respectively. Young musicians from Two Bright Lakes and harpist Imelda Pagliaro provided reflective music.

Sydney – More than 1200 people gathered at an interfaith memorial service at St Mary’s Cathedral including family members of the 10 Australians who died during the attacks. US Consul General Niels Marquardt and representatives from several religious denominations spoke. The American Australian Association provided the musicians for the event which included William Barton playing the didgeridoo and David Campbell singing a moving “Bring Him Home” from Les Miserables.

US citizens and lawful permanent residents residing in countries without US Citizenship and Immigration Services offices are now able to file Form I-130 family-based immigrant petitions with the agency’s Chicago lockbox facility. Overseas petitioners residing in a country with a USCIS office can elect to file at that office or use the lockbox. For more information and to view additional immigration updates, click here.

To facilitate intellectual alliances and collaboration between Australia and the United States, AAA awards 15 Fellowships to leading Australian post-graduate scholars to undertake research and study on environmental sustainability, engineering and medicine at prestigious American institutions.

In addition to last year’s Education Fellowship programme, the Association awarded three new corporate Fellowships through the support of ConocoPhillips, Westfield and Pratt Industries. Since the inception of the Association’s Education Fund in 2002, over $3 million dollars have been awarded in Fellowships to over 100 outstanding Australian and American scholars.

For more information on the Education Fund and Fellows, click here.

On 30 June at the Harvard Club, AAA in conjunction with the New South Wales Government hosted a private Finance & Investment lunch for the Hon Andrew Stoner MP, Deputy Premier, Minister for Trade and Investment and Minister for Regional Services and Infrastructure.

During his luncheon address, Mr Stoner noted that Australia has the 13th largest economy which is in its 18th consecutive year of growth. Australia currently has AUD $1.5 trillion funds under management, is ranked by the World Economic Forum as the number 1 global centre in Asia and has the 7th largest foreign exchange. He also stressed that ‘NSW is the engine room of the Australian economy’ contributing 32% of the nation’s GDP in 2008-09. Sydney, the capital city of NSW contributes 25% of Australian GDP.

For more information on the luncheon and Mr Stoner’s address, click here.

Costco is a membership warehouse club dedicated to bringing its members the best possible prices on quality brand-name merchandise. They provide a wide selection of merchandise, plus the convenience of specialty departments and exclusive member services.

To learn more about Costco or to join the club, click here.

Impian Films announces production of two Australian and US feature films:

The Drowner - An epic tale of building Australia and the mining industry during the gold rush (echos of today's mining boom). Based on the award winning novel by Robert Drewe and the story of CY O'Connor, one of Perth's enduring legendary characters.

Shallows - A 3 generational tale of anti-whaling brought into the modern day. Based on the Tim Winton novel.

To find out more about the Australian and US co-productions, including opportunities for investment, email Jack Drewe at jack@impianfilms.com.

Andrew Brookes is a lawyer specialising in energy and climate change matters. He has advised a range of government and corporate clients on emissions trading, renewable energy, carbon capture and storage, electricity and gas regulation and energy sector transactions. While practicing as a lawyer, Andrew completed a research Masters in International Politics at the University of Melbourne. His thesis explored the procedural and communicative fairness of the negotiations within the international climate change regime.

Founded in 1953, the APSA Congressional Fellowship Program is the nation's oldest and most prestigious congressional fellowship. For more information about APSA and the Congressional Fellowship, click here.

Glenn Stevens, Governor, Reserve Bank of Australia addressed American and Australian financial services leaders on 13 April at the AAA Annual Spring Lecture Lunch in New York. The Governor’s speech America, Australia, Asia and the World Economy centered on the economic growth of Asia, in particular China and India and the impact the continuing development and integration of these economies would have on Australian and US trading patterns, global markets and future holdings of financial assets.

To read a transcript of the Governor’s speech, click here.

In a media release on 3 May, The Hon Wayne Swan MP, Deputy Prime Minister and Treasurer, announced the appointment of Greg Medcraft as ASIC Chairman.

Mr Medcraft joined ASIC as a Commissioner in February 2009, taking responsibility for the oversight of investment banking, investment managers, super funds and financial advisers.

On 10 March, Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard delivered a speech to a Joint Meeting of Congress, only the fourth Australian PM to do so. The prime minister spoke about the ANZUS treaty, signed in 1951 solidifying the alliance between the US and Australia. She personalised her remarks with the story of an Australian fireman who tracked down the sons of a New York fireman who died leading a team into the Twin Towers on September 11, 2001. One of the dead man's sons, also a fireman, was in the viewing gallery along with his Australian counterpart, who had returned the helmet his father had signed.

Other topics discussed included Afghanistan, the global economy, the G20 and free trade. To watch the PM’s full address, click here.

On 9 March, the AAA hosted a dinner for the Prime Minister of Australia, the Hon Julia Gillard MP. The dinner marked the occasion of Ms Gillard’s inaugural visit to the United States as Prime Minister of Australia and provided her with the opportunity to address senior American and Australian business and financial leaders, including Andrew Liveris, Dow Chemical Company; Jeff Immelt, GE; James Mulva, ConocoPhillips; James Gorman, Morgan Stanley; Melody Meyer, Chevron; Jac Nasser, BHP Billiton and film maker Baz Luhrmann.

For more information on the PM’s visit to New York, click here.