Consul General Ken Chern took a five day visit to the Northwest Kimberly region, to discuss Indigenous issues.

Visiting WA

Perth — 2 October 2009

Consul General Ken Chern, his wife Ronni, Political Assistant Veronica Kerr, and Economic Assistant Gina Soos took a five—day visit to the Northwest Kimberley region from September 30 — October 2. They traveled with members of Western Australia State Parliament Ben Wyatt, Tom Stephens, and Paul Papalia. Through the introductions of the parliamentarians, the Consul General and his team had the opportunity to visit with a variety of Indigenous representatives and other leaders in this vast and remote area. In Broome, the visitors had meetings with Professor Patrick Dodson (Chair of the Kimberley Development Commission), Mr. Kevin Fong of the Goolarri Media Centre, the faculty at Notre Dame University’s Broome campus, and the Most Reverend Christopher Saunders (Bishop of Broome), to discuss Indigenous educational needs, plans for the Kimberley gas hub, and other issues of economic and social significance for the region.

In Fitzroy Crossing, they met with community leader Joe Ross, visited the Ninilingarri Cultural Health Program to meet with CEO Maureen Carter, and attended a meeting of the Fitzroy Futures Forum with state and federal officials, learning about pioneering efforts by women’s groups in the Fitzroy area to meet the health and educational challenges posed to the community by alcohol abuse. In One Arm Point, at the invitation of Chairman Wayne Bergmann, they attended the annual general meeting of the Kimberley Land Council and enjoyed an evening of cultural dance performances, including a dance by the host community Bardi Dancers. That evening, the Consulate travelers also paid a visit to a group of more than 20 students from U.S. universities who were visiting the Kimberley as part of their semester of studies at the Fremantle campus of the University of Notre Dame.

Consul General Ken Chern recognizes the achievements of Golden Key members.

Giving Students the Golden Key

Perth — 20 October 2009

The U.S. Consul General, Dr. Ken Chern, addressed an audience of about 400 students, faculty members, and guests at the Golden Key New Member Reception held at Edith Cowan University October 20.

In his speech, the Consul General cited the organization's commitment to scholarship, career development, leadership, and service. He remarked that Ms. Edith Cowan, for whom ECU was named, exemplified these ideals and values — persevering in her studies despite the loss of her parents while still a young girl; helping to found the Karrakatta Club and leading its fight for Australian women's suffrage; striving for the welfare of disadvantaged women and children; and becoming the first woman to serve in any state or federal parliament in Australia in 1921. Noting that ECU had now grown to over 20,000 students, 4,000 of them from abroad, Dr. Chern stressed the importance of ECU's role in the multicultural context of Western Australia and the Asia-Pacific region. Citing lessons in leadership that he had learned in the multicultural contexts of teaching in Hong Kong and serving in U.S. embassies and consulates throughout Asia, he called on the students to be bold, optimistic, and clear in their leadership and in their service to their communities and the nation.

Among the other speakers at the event were ECU Vice Chancellor Professor Kerry Cox, and ECU Chancellor the Honorable Dr. Hendy Cowan, former Western Australian Deputy Premier and grand-nephew of Ms. Edith Cowan.

Founded by a group of undergraduates and faculty members at a university in Atlanta, Georgia in 1977, Golden Key is an academic honor society which recognizes and encourages scholastic achievement and excellence. It now has chapters in seven countries, with more than 1.5 million lifetime members.

Dianella Australian Islamic College Teacher Faizel Bedford, Principal Ahdielah Edries, and CG Ken Chern after the DVC.

“Breaking the Narrative”

Perth — 6 August 2009

Consul General Kenneth Chern hosted a stimulating digital video conference August 6, with Amar Bakshi, Special Assistant to U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Susan Rice. Mr. Bakshi, speaking from Washington, shared his insights on how Muslim youth can use the tools of new media, from the internet and Facebook to text messaging, to enhance dialogue among diverse populations around the world.

Drawing on his recent private experience travelling the world to explore American impacts on the lives of ordinary people, Bashki engaged Perth’s audience of Muslim high-school and university students, researchers and community outreach professionals on issues including “pushing back” against negative “Hollywood” portrayals of Muslims, and on how the innovative use of humor in You-tube videos and other new media can be effective in “breaking the narrative” of difference, radicalism and stereotype. The video conference stimulated a lively discussion among the audience that continued well afterwards.

Crew from the USS George Washington on a community relations event at Cohunu Koala Park.

Navy Crews Befriend Local Residents

Perth — 2 July 2009

The USS George Washington (CVN 73), a United States Navy aircraft carrier, anchored off the coast of Fremantle as the USS Cowpens (CG 63), a guided-missile cruiser, steamed into port July 2 to begin a five-day port visit. The visit was the first Australian port visit for the George Washington (GW) in its nearly 17-year history and the first port visit of the GW’s inaugural summer deployment since replacing the USS Kitty Hawk last September. The ship, along with embarked Carrier Air Wing (CVW 5) and their combined crew of nearly 6,000 sailors, departed their forward-deployed port at Yokosuka, Japan on June 10. On the day of arrival in Australia, the Commander, Battle Force 7th Fleet, Rear Admiral Kevin Donegan, accompanied by USS GW’s Commanding Officer, Captain David A. Lausman; the USS Cowpens’ Commanding Officer, Captain Holly Graf; the U.S. Consul General, Dr. Ken Chern; the U.S. Naval Attaché, Captain Bill Dooris; and other Naval personnel met with the Governor of Western Australia, His Excellency Dr. Ken Michael. They also met with the Lord Mayor of Perth, Ms. Lisa Scaffidi, and the Mayor of Fremantle, Mr. Peter Tagliafferri, both of whom had participated in a fly-out to the GW on July 1. Over 400 guests attended a reception hosted by Admiral Donegan and Consul General Chern onboard the GW on the evening of July 2.

During their visit to Western Australia, more than 300 sailors spent their liberty time volunteering at one of 17 community relations (COMREL) projects which included cleaning, maintenance, and painting work at a variety of locations throughout Fremantle and Perth, including the Princess Margaret Hospital, Perth Hebrew Congregation, a Salvation Army rehabilitation center, a respite center for the elderly, Perth Zoo, Cohunu Koala Park, and other animal refuges. The ship’s Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) Division scheduled 18 different trips and tours to help sailors make the most of their visit while enjoying the distinct sights, sounds and tastes of Western Australia. Tour options included a trip to Caversham Wildlife Park and Nambung National Park, a tour of wineries throughout the Swan Valley, mountain biking on the Munda Biddi Trail, and scuba-diving at Rottnest Island.

The USS George Washington is named after a U.S. founding father and the first president of the United States, George Washington. The ship&rsqou;s motto, “The Spirit of Freedom,” was coined by George Washington as he led American soldiers during the Revolutionary War to describe the mood of the people. The carrier has most of the major services a small town would have, including more than 4,000 telephones, 7 galleys capable of serving 18,000 meals a day, the capacity to distill 400,000 gallons of fresh water, and enough electrical capacity to power several thousand single-family homes. For more information on the GW, visit the George Washington website.

The USS Cowpens, also known as the “Thundering Herd,” is an Aegis guided-missile cruiser. Her primary mission is to provide air-defense to the George Washington Carrier Strike Group. She was commissioned in 1991. For more information on the Cowpens, please visit the Cowpens website.

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.

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.

Youth with cardboard cutout of President Obama.

“Obamaque!”

Perth — 29 May 2009

Consul General Ken Chern and his wife, Ronni, hosted an "Obamaque" for 60 young people at their residence on May 29 to discuss the challenges facing President Obama and young people in the United States and Australia. The event was casual -- Hawaiian leis, Chicago pizzas, New York hot dogs, and Indonesian satays represented the varied homes and cultures experienced by the President. Guests aged 20-35 came from varied backgrounds and groups interested in international relations and friendship between the American and Australian peoples. The guests were divided into several groups to discuss issues of importance to them, after which group representatives gave presentations to all the guests. Among the issues raised were employment concerns, and the need for accountability and bipartisanship in politics.

CG Chern with Dr. Tom Mann at the Institute of Advanced Studies at UWA.

Connecting with Political Experts Coast to Coast

Perth — May 2009

Thomas Mann, political scientist and fellow at the Brookings Institute, shared his views on the new Obama administration and its relationship with Congress during a wide-ranging series of talks and interviews in Brisbane, Canberra, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney in the past month. His visit was arranged by the Grattan Institute in cooperation with the American Embassy.

Associate Professor Lance Fung, Vice-Chair, IEEE WA Section; Consul General Ken Chern; Professor David Doepel, Director, Research Institute on Resource Technology, Murdoch University; Associate Professor Kevin Wong, Chairperson, IEEE WA Section.

U.S. Science Policy on the Move

Perth — 13 May 2009

Consul General Ken Chern gave a speech, "U.S. Science Policy on the Move," at a Murdoch University seminar celebrating the 125th anniversary of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) and the 25th anniversary of IEEE's Western Australia Section. Dr. Chern addressed an audience of about 70 students and professors from engineering, scientific, and other disciplines on the uses the Obama Administration is making of science, technology, and innovation to meet the economic, educational, environmental, energy, and health care challenges confronting the United States, Australia, and other nations. He cited President Obama's vision to see the United States meet -- and exceed -- the high-water mark in investment in research and development that it achieved in the "space race" of half a century ago. The Consul General spotlighted the recommendations of Australia's Cutler Review that parallel the focus areas in U.S. policy, such as the need to strengthen education, create free markets for innovation, build research and development capacity, and focus on the economic incentives and rewards of innovation. He praised the research being done in Western Australia in fields such as avian influenza poultry vaccines and child health. He predicted that the thriving scientific collaboration between American and Australian scientists and universities, as well as active government-to-government cooperation, would be further strengthened by the renewed commitment of both nations to scientific leadership. "ScienceNetwork Western Australia" and the IEEE Region 10 (Asia-Pacific) Newsletter published articles about the speech.

Those pictured from left are Dr. Eric Meslin, Dr. Fiona Stanley, U.S. Consul General Dr. Ken Chern, and Dr. Lyn Beazley.

Reception in Honor of Dr. Eric Meslin

Perth — 12 May 2009

Consul General and Mrs. Ken Chern held a reception May 12 in honor of Dr. Eric Meslin, Director of the Indiana University Center for Bioethics, who formerly served as Executive Director of the National Bioethics Advisory Commission which advised President Clinton. Dr. Meslin is currently in town as Visiting Professor—at—Large at the University of Western Australia; his host counterpart in Perth is Dr. Fiona Stanley, Founding Director of the Telethon Institute for Child Health Research. In his remarks, the Consul General cited the work of Dr. Meslin to advance not only research ethics but also medical ethics — the moral obligation of physicians to meet the total needs of the people they serve. The Consul General also spotlighted the ways in which Dr. Stanley’s work championing the welfare of children demonstrates and advances medical ethics. He cited President Obama’s commitment to science, and the President’s plan to boost investment in scientific research. The Consulate is planning to work with the Telethon Institute to arrange follow-up events to engage young researchers from Australia and the United States via digital video conference to discuss issues in bioethics. Others among the 35 guests at the reception included Western Australia Chief Scientist Dr. Lyn Beazley, Dean William Ford of the University of Western Australia School of Law, Professor of Immunology Cassandra James of Murdoch University, Professor Alan Bittles of the Centre for Human Genetics, Edith Cowan University, and the Reverend Canon Frank Sheehan, Director, Centre for Ethics, Christ Church Grammar School.

U.S. Consul General Dr. Ken Chern, Professor Kim Beazley and Reverend Canon Frank Sheehan

Kim Beazley Speaks on Australian-American Relations

Perth — 8 May 2009

Consul General Ken Chern joined Professor Kim Beazley, who formerly served as Deputy Prime Minister of Australia and as Leader of the Federal Opposition, in speaking on ‘Australian-American Relations Today’ before an audience of almost 200 at the University of Western Australia on May 8. Professor Beazley noted the timeliness of this discussion, since U.S. Secretary of Defense Gates had recently announced the 2010 U.S. defense budget, and the Australian Government had just issued its Defense White Paper. Beazley saluted the courage of President Obama for having taken on relations with the Islamic world from Palestine to Pakistan. Beazley noted that since Australia had joined the intervention in Afghanistan under the ANZUS Treaty following the 9/11 attacks on the United States, it was important that Australia not withdraw its forces from Afghanistan before the U.S. was comfortable with that. Dr. Chern stated that the U.S. had consistently regarded its security relationship with Australia as one of the anchors for its posture in the Asia-Pacific, and that Australian-American friendship transcends politics in either country. The Consul General reiterated Secretary of State Clinton’s statement that Australia is one of America’s most trusted allies in the world. He expressed gratitude for Australian support and cooperation in places like Afghanistan, where Australia has recently announced it would boost its troop commitment from 1,100 to 1,550 troops.

City of Albany Mayor Milton Evans presents US Consul General Dr. Ken Chern with an inscribed copy of John Dowson’s book on the history of Albany.

Commemorating the ANZAC Spirit

Perth — 25 April 2009

At the invitation of Mayor Milton Evans and the Returned and Services League, Consul General Dr. Ken Chern and Mrs. Ronni Chern visited Albany from April 24-26 to attend the ANZAC Day dawn service at Mt. Clarence, the harborside commemorative service and parade, and a reception for the crew of the Australian missile frigate HMAS Arunta. Mayor Evans invited the Cherns following their Albany visit seven months earlier for the the centennial celebration of the 1908 visit to Albany by President Thedore Roosevelt’s "Great White Fleet." Ken laid wreaths at the two ANZAC Day services. In his interviews with WIN and GWN Television, and in an interview with ABC Radio, the Consul General cited Secretary of State Clinton’s ANZAC Day Statement, highlighting her message that the American people would join Australians and New Zealanders across the globe in remembering and honoring those who have served with distinction in the defense forces of their countries over many decades. In the same spirit, Commander Stephen Bowater of HMAS Arunta told the commemorative service audience of the crucial values — courage, endurance, sacrifice, and mateship — displayed by Australian and New Zealand forces, the "ANZACs," who fought at Gallipoli in World War I. The Commander also spoke of Arunta’s recent deployments in the Arabian Gulf and Iraqi waters, and of an earlier namesake’s service alongside U.S. Navy vessels in the Battle of Leyte Gulf to evict Japanese forces from the Philippines in World War II. Several thousand people attended the ANZAC events. Albany is of special historical importance as the launch site of the first and second ANZAC convoys for Egypt, and eventual deployment to Gallipoli, in 1915. Albany was the last sight of their homeland for many thousands of Australian troops who sailed from that port but never returned from battle.

Kayla Mizzi and Yasmin Soliman — Winners of BioGENEius Challenge of WA with U.S. Consul General Ken Chern.

Consulate Host Send Off for BioGENEius Challenge Winners

Perth — 16 April 2009

Consulate General staff members held a “bon voyage coffee” April 16 for Yasmin Soliman and Kayla Mizzi, eleventh-grade students at St Mary’s Anglican Girls’ School who are winners of this year’s Western Australia BioGENEius Challenge and will soon head to Atlanta for the Sanofi-Aventis International BioGENEius Challenge. Working with Edith Cowan University scientists, Yasmin used a spectrometer to measure the optical properties of weeds and plants to create a catalogue that will be used in a wider project with potential to improve the global farming industry by obviating the need for blanket-spraying and spot-spraying. Mentored by University of Western Australia professors, Kayla worked on a mutation of the dystrophin gene that causes Duchenne muscular dystrophy, a muscle-wasting disease that affects one in 3,500 young boys around the world, exploring potential new genetic band-aid targets to try and skip mutations that cause the disease. Proud relatives also attended our coffee, as did three Western Australia state government officials: John Shute, Department of State Development, Gavin Agacy, Department of Commerce, and Jocelyn Bailey, Department of Commerce. At last year’s International Challenge in San Diego, Western Australian students won two of the top four prizes. Western Australia’s Chief Scientist, Dr. Lyn Beazley, has noted that the BioGENEIUS Challenge provides our future scientists and researchers with real-life laboratory experiences, using world-leading equipment and working alongside of some of the most experienced scientists and researchers, encouraging them to view science as a viable employment option.

Consul Neal Vermillion with students at Edith Cowan University speaking about the visa application process.

Consul Speaks with ECU Students

Perth — 13 March 2009

CU.S. Consul Neal Vermillion speaks with students at Edith Cowan University about applying for visas to the United States and answers their questions about studying and living in the U.S. He was accompanied by Perth U.S. Educational Advisers Lee Healy and Carol Crass who also briefed the students on what to expect during their time spent in the U.S.

Consul General Ken Chern releases a stone from a catapult-like device built by young Science Fair prize winners.

CG Chern Speaks at ISWA Science Fair

Perth — 13 March 2009

Consul General Dr. Ken Chern spoke at the Open Evening and Science Fair Prize Presentation held by the International School of Western Australia (ISWA) Friday evening, March 13, and handed out prizes to the Science Fair winners. Congratulating the students for their dedication, the Consul General highlighted the global nature of scientific research, and noted that an international school such as ISWA, representing over a dozen nationalities among its students, was an excellent setting to nurture scientific inquiry. He also cited the cutting-edge research being done by Western Australian researchers in fields ranging from marine oceanography to biomedical science (including two Nobel laureates in the latter field), and noted efforts to advance scientific cooperation between Western Australian scientific institutions and counterparts in California and elsewhere in the United States. Also speaking at the Open Evening were Western Australia State Minister for Education Dr. Elizabeth Constable, Chevron Australia Pty Ltd Managing Director Roy Krzywosinski, and ISWA Principal Ian Bayly. ISWA is the only school in Western Australia functioning on a Northern-Hemisphere calendar.

CG Chern speaking with guests following the DVC with Dr. Jerry Jordan.

Economic Reflections

Canberra — 10 March 2009

Economist and former federal reserve banker Jerry Jordan discussed the origins and consequences of the global financial crisis during a series of presentations sponsored by the Embassy in March in Canberra, Sydney, Melbourne and Perth. Dr. Jordan served as president of the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland from 1992 until January 2003 and was a member of the President Reagan’s Council of Economic Advisers.

CG Chern with undergraduate students active in AIIA.

Obama’s First Hundred Days

Perth — 25 February 2009

Consul General Ken Chern took part in a February 25 lively breakfast panel on “Obama’s First Hundred Days: Lessons in Leadership,” organized by the American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham) and the Hay Group. The Consul General led off with remarks on President Obama’s leadership style, and how it has served him and the United States one month into his Administration. Dr. Chern explained how the President’s selections of Vice Presidential running mate Joe Biden and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton displayed his willingness to create a strong “team of rivals” to meet the challenges America faces. The selection of Special envoys such as George Mitchell (to deal with Israeli/Palestinian issues), Richard Holbrooke (Afghanistan/Pakistan), and Stephen Bosworth (North Korea) — and figures like Timothy Geithner, Lawrence Summers, and Paul Volcker to address the financial crisis — similarly reflect the President’s confident leadership style, and his determination to get the most talented people to deal with foreign policy and the economy. Other panelists from the University of Western Australia, the Hay Group, GESB, and Woodside Energy also commented on the President’s leadership, and on what local private-sector leaders could learn from it. An audience of over 100 offered a wide variety of comments and questions.

Consul General Ken Chern and AIIA President Dr. Sue Boyd.

CG Chern Discusses Foreign Policy Outlook

Perth — 23 February 2009

Consul General Ken Chern spoke to the Australian Institute of International Affairs (AIIA) February 23 on “the U.S. Foreign Policy Outlook under the Obama Administration.” Presenting remarks to an AIIA audience of 75 at St. Catherine’s College, University of Western Australia, Dr. Chern discussed President Barack Obama’s overarching goals — reconnecting with America’s friends and allies; reaching out to those adversaries “who unclench their fists”; cooperating internationally to meet the global economic crisis; working together to defeat terror; and addressing climate change and other environmental challenges. The Consul General also discussed Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s visit to Japan, Indonesia, Korea, and China, and explained how her travel to Asia in her first trip abroad as Secretary of State reflected the strength of America’s commitment to the Asia-Pacific region, including a number of undergraduate students active in AIIA, raised questions about issues ranging from U.S.-China economic relations to the importance of Indonesia to Southeast Asian stability.