EABC End of Year Reception

29 November 2011
Melbourne

On 29 November, 2011, European Australian Business Council (EABC) members and guests came together in Melbourne to celebrate the conclusion of a highly successful twelve months, having been the Council’s most active and successful year by far.

Members and representatives of the EABC joined representatives from Finland, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Netherlands, Poland, Slovenia, Spain, Switzerland and United Kingdom at the reception. Following the reception, guests joined members of the Board for dinner and discussion on various topics, and the year ahead.

Above: EABC End of Year Reception, Government House, Melbourne

In his address, EABC President & Chairman Alastair Walton stated that being hosted at Government House provided a high point of the 2011 calendar, and also that the year had seen EABC institutionalised as a national organisation with regular events in Sydney, Canberra and Melbourne, and launches for Brisbane and Perth programmes in 2012.

Alastair also noted that the Europe-Australia investment relationship was now over $1 Trillion in value, and that more than ever before European companies are looking for growth opportunities in Australia and the regional market.

The highlights of 2011 were reflected on, including participation in the official visit of Prime Minister Gillard to Europe, hosting the President of the European Commission, José Manuel Barroso during his Australian visit, and a successful EABC Business Mission to Europe where the delegation was received by President Barroso and also the President of Germany.

Above: His Excellency the Hon Alex Chernov AO QC adresses the reception

Above: EABC Chairman Alastair Walton, His Excellency Governor Chernov and EABC CEO Jason Collins

Above: EABC Board Members and His Excellency Governor Chernov

Above: His Excellency Governor Chernov

Above: Philip Hocking, National President of Swiss Australian Chamber of Commerce, His Excellency Governor Chernov and The Hon Peter Costello AC

EABC Tenth Anniversary Reception

On November 19, 2009, Her Excellency, Ms Quentin Bryce, Governor General of Australia hosted the European Australian Business Council's tenth anniversary reception at Admiralty House.  Against the beautiful backdrop of Sydney's harbour, guests joined the Governor General and the EABC board in celebrating this significant milestone.

Left - Mr Ian Murray (EABC Treasurer), Mr Alastair Walton (EABC Chairman), Mr Jason Collins (EABC CEO) and Ms Jo Johns (EABC Director) listen to Her Excellency's address.

Below,right - The EABC reception marquee in the grounds of Admiralty House.

Guests included Ambassadors and consular representatives from Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, France, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Norway, the Netherlands, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia and Turkey.  Representatives from organisations including National Australia Bank, JP Morgan, Airbus, Rolls Royce, Pricewaterhouse Coopers, Stockland, Visa and Sagem attended the reception.

Mr Alastair Walton (EABC Chairman) and Mr David Daly(Ambassador and Head of Delegation, European Commission to Australia and New Zealand) share a joke with Her Excellency, Ms Quentin Bryce.

Her Excellency and EABC Board Member, Mr Max Moore-Wilton

EABC Oration

Every year the EABC hosts an oration by a senior figure in the EU-Australian community.

The 2009 Oration was delivered on October the 26th, hosted by QANTAS a Major Partner of the EABC, by Commissioner Charlie McCreevy, European Commissioner for Internal Markets and Services.

Please click here for a transcript of the speech

At our 2008 Oration, Mr Steven Loosley, Special Counsel, Minter Ellison spoke about Australia’s foreign policy in a speech “From Brussels to Bucharest – a Fourth Leg for Australian Foreign Policy”

Please click here for a transcript of the speech.