Consul Neal Vermillion stresses the importance of using the official “.gov” websites for travel and visa information during a press conference at the Consulate.

Traveling to the U.S.? Make Sure It’s a “.gov”

Perth — 12 June 2009

U.S. Consul Neal Vermillion held a press conference on June 12 warning the public against using unofficial websites. The Consul stressed the importance of going to official websites ending in ".gov" when seeking travel authorizations or information about visa services. More information about visa free travel can be found at www.cpb.gov/esta and information about visas is at http://perth.usconsulate.gov/consular/visas/niv/.

EducationUSA Advisers Recognized For Their Outstanding Service

Los Angeles — June 2009

The volunteer EducationUSA advisers in Canberra, Sydney, Melbourne, Perth and Brisbane recently received the Unsung Hero Award for 20 years of volunteer advising to Australians interested in studying in the United States. The award was presented at the annual meeting of the Association of International Educators conference in Los Angeles and was one of only 5 awards presented worldwide to EducationUSA advisers.

More than 7,000 international educators from around the world attended the conference.

The Australian network was established in 1989 by the US Embassy and consulates to meet the interest in U.S. education opportunities. Recent adviser initiatives include the creation of virtual consulting student services and on-line adviser course development.

Helen Reidy, based in Sydney, is the national coordinator for the program.

Paul Weller MP, Member for Rodney, Eleanor Auditori from the Echuca Historical Society and Consul General Michael Thurston at the border with NSW.

Reaching Out to the Region of Rodney

Echuca, VIC — June 2009

As part of the Mission’s commitment to regional outreach, Consul General Michael Thurston visited the rural Victorian region of the Rodney electorate district. The Rodney electorate covers an area of 7,808 square kilometers, has a population of around 49,000, and includes the major centres of Echuca, Kyabram, Rochester, Heathcote, and Barmah. The electorate’s prosperity is based primarily on traditional agriculture and their allied industries, and is developing a reputation for a robust viticulture industry. In each meeting the Consul General participated, links between the United States and Australia became increasingly apparent. Even in smaller rural areas, evidence of the US Australian alliance is plentiful — be it from within family and personal connections, and particularly in this region, through business and exporting links.

Consul General Michael Thurston made a courtesy call with the Mayor of the Campaspe Shire, based in Echuca, and the Manager of the Echuca Moama Tourism Marketing Simon Latchford. The tourism industry is of vital importance to the Rodney electorate. In Echuca alone, the tourism sector employs 1500 people and contributes about $220 million per annum to the economy. The historic Port of Echuca receives more than 75,000 visitors per year. The Consul General undertook a tour of the port with local historian, Eleanor Auditori. This tour gave the Consul General an opportunity to develop an historical context of the region, including the important pastoral and trade history of the region.

Consul General Thurston on a tour to find out more about the Barmah Forest.

CG Thurston Steps Into the Barmah Forest

Barmah, VIC — June 2009

During his tour in Northern Victoria, Consul General visited the historic Barmah forest, and during the visit, met with timber industry representatives and local cattlemen from the Barmah forest region. The meeting was an opportunity to get a firsthand experience of the unique Australian environment, but also to gain an understanding of the concerns and challenges facing the Barmah community, gaining a balance between industry and environmental concerns.

From the left are Ezekiel Solomon, partner, Allens Arthur Robinson; Geoff Gray, executive director, American Australian Association Ltd.; Malcolm Binks AO, chairman, American Australian Association; Robert O’Neill AO, University of Sydney; Professor Donald Nutbeam; Chargé Clune; and Stephen Roberts, chief executive Officer, Citi Australia.

Provost Nutbeam Honored

Sydney — 9 June 2009

Charge Dan Clune was among the guests at a reception in June hosted by the American Australian Association to thank the University of Sydney Provost and Deputy Vice-Chancellor Donald Nutbeam for his contribution to the establishment of the U.S. Studies Centre at the University of Sydney. Don played a key role in preparing Sydney University’s successful bid for the Centre and concluding the funding agreement with the American Australian Association Ltd. He is leaving Sydney for the position of Vice Chancellor at the University of South Hampton.

Guests gathered at the CG’s Residence to watch the live telecast of President Obama's speech from Cairo.

Jubilation After Obama’s Cairo Speech

Perth — 4 June 2009

Consul General Ken Chern and his wife, Ronni, had roughly 35 guests to their residence to watch a live telecast of President Obama’s June 4 speech at the University of Cairo reaching out to Muslims around the world, and to discuss the speech directly afterward. Participants included diplomats, religious figures, professors, journalists, government officials, and NGO and business representatives.

At the end of the speech, the group burst into applause, as the President’s remarks met with profound appreciation and admiration. The group went on to dissect and evaluate the speech for an hour. Several guests spotlighted the President’s honesty and sincerity; one said he “spoke from the heart,” and another praised his admonition to voice the same views in public and private.

One observer cited the President’s frankness in laying down the obligations of all parties to conflict, such as Israelis and Palestinians. Another stressed how long he, and the world, had waited for such a speech. Yet another resonated with President Obama’s unique perspective, having grown up hearing the call to prayer in a Muslim country, and having acquired the wisdom to summon the world to reconciliation.

One cautioned, however, that political leaders would have varying views of the President’s call for democracy, human rights, religious freedom, and the rights of women. A dominant theme was the President’s refusal to assign blame, even while addressing the violence of the past, and his insistence that the world face the future united. As one guest said, “People will look back on this speech as an important event in history.”

Shortly after the discussion ended, the Consul General went on Perth’s 6PR Radio with Graham Mabury to discuss the speech and its impact.

Consul General Judith Fergin speaking at Bond University.

Students Express Interest in U.S. Policy

Gold Coast — 4 June 2009

In June, Bond University hosted U.S. Consul General Judith Fergin during a visit to the Gold Coast. Ms. Fergin had the opportunity to meet American as well as Australian students, both graduate and undergraduate, and to tour the campus. After her lecture on the global challenges facing the United States and Australia, students demonstrated their lively interest in international affairs as they asked question on topics ranging from the content of the free trade agreement between our two countries to the Obama administration's position on human rights.

Consul General Judith Fergin lays a wreath at the memorial in Bundamba, Queensland.

Commemorating the Sailors of the USS Frank E. Evans

Bundamba, QLD — 3 June 2009

June 3 marked the fortieth anniversary of the tragic collision between the USS Frank E. Evans and the HMAS Melbourne that resulted in the loss of 74 U.S. sailors. Since then, survivors and family members have staged a series of reunions in both Australia and the United States. A delegation from the United States joined Australian colleagues in a commemoration service held at Bundamba, Queensland on June 3, and a civic reception hosted by Ipswich Mayor Paul Pisasale and members of the Ipswich City Council on June 4.

Taking the opportunity to commend the unstinting service and valor of American sailors and their Royal Australian Navy partners, U.S. Consul General Judith Fergin paid tribute to the past and present service of our armed forces. She concluded, “the friendships that have arisen between the USS Frank E. Evans and HMAS Melbourne families are part of a great and rich history of association between Australians and Americans. Without our common perspectives and our shared commitment to defending our values, the world and our nations would be a poorer place. Without the friendships and exchanges that build the understanding that sustains the Alliance, we would not look to the future with as much hope.”