The Society Update
The High Commissioners’ Dinner 2018
The Britain-Australia Society was delighted to host the High Commissioners’ Dinner in the Exhibition Hall of Australia House on Wednesday 28th November. This event brought together the Australian High Commissioner to the UK, the Hon. George Brandis QC with his UK counterpart Her Excellency Menna Rawlings CMG for the first time.
After a convivial reception featuring the finest of the new crop of English sparkling wines, guests took to their tables and enjoyed a sumptuous three course dinner in the well of the Exhibition Hall. Host to numerous events throughout the year, on this occasion the Hall was decorated with flowers and lit with gold up-lighters and candles, illuminating the glorious marble of five states of Australia, one of the finest features of a building that celebrates its one hundreth anniversary this year.
As the dinner drew to a close, Dr Ian Henderson of the Menzies Institute took to the stage alongside the two High Commissioners for a wide-ranging and interesting discussion on the nature of the role of a High Commissioner in the modern world, the growth of a free-trade consensus and the potential for a blossoming of post-Brexit relations between the UK and Australia.
Also in attendance were a number of ex-High Commissioners of both countries including Sir Roger Carrick, Baroness Liddell of Coatdyke and Alexander Downer, Mr Brandis’ most recent predecessor. In the words of Sir Roger Carrick:
“The evening illustrated how the Britain-Australia Society and the Cook Society add special value to and contribute key colour and depth to the essential background to the official relationship. That background – of cultural, business and other important links, is a positive help to both Governments – and offers a dynamic, modern and multidimensional outlook. I have always believed that the Britain-Australian Society is one of the very best of the bilateral societies in the United Kingdom.”
The Britain-Australia Society builds on the strong common values of Britain and Australia through our diplomatic links and by bringing Australians and Britons together at exclusive and unusual events. We aim to send out a newsletter to members and subscribers every month or so but please CHECK THE EVENTS PAGE for upcoming events as they are being added all of the time.
