2007 Gala Dinner

JANUARY 20, 2007

In 2007 Australia celebrated 100 summers of surf lifesaving. Today there are 303 surf lifesaving clubs in Australia patrolling over 400 beaches and the SLSA (Surf Life Saving Association) is one of the largest volunteer organisations in the world. It was an Australian working in the High Commission London who introduced Australian surf life saving methods on English beaches way back in 1952. Bude received a reel, line, belt and surf ski from Australia in 1955 and the Bude SLSC became a reality. The theme for the Gala Dinner was '2007 Year of the Surf Lifesaver'.

GOLD SPONSORS

ABN AMRO

BHP Billiton

Cobham Plc

National Australia Group Europe

Qantas

Rio Tinto

Westfield

SILVER SPONSORS

CPA Europe

Deutsche Bank

Hardy Wines

International Power Plc

Macquarie Bank

Multiplex

New International

Proudfoot Consulting

Robert Walters Plc

Tourism Australia

UBS Global Asset Management

The Weir Group

AWARDS 2007

HE the Hon Richard Alston, Australian High Commissioner presented the Australia Day Foundation Awards.

AUSTRALIAN OF THE YEAR IN THE UK

In recognitition of his international achievements and lifelong service to music the Australia Day Foundation presented Sir Charles Mackerras CH, AC, CBE with the Australian of the Year in the UK Award 

[Awards]

HONORARY AUSTRALIAN OF THE YEAR IN THE UK

With his vigour and determination, his business involvement in Australia and his support for the Australian Cricket Team, the Australia Day Foundation considered Lloyd Dorfman a worthy recipient of the 2007 Honorary Australian of the Year in the UK Award. 

[Awards]

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

The Foundation intended to present this inaugural award to Maurice de Rohan AO, OBE at the Gala Dinner but sadly Maurice died before the dinner.  He was the key organiser in establishing the Australia Day Foundation and the Australia Day Awards.  Before his untimely death the Foundation informed Maurice that he was to receive the award - his family accepted the award on his behalf 

[Awards]

THE CHEF

The superb four course dinner was created by London’s leading Australian chef Shane Osborn of Pied- a-Terre. Shane aged just 29 became the very first Australian chef to attain Michelin status. A passion for what he does has resulted in Shane being awarded two coveted Michelin stars. Shane said his menu was inspired by flavours that reminded him of his early days cooking in Perth and included one of Shane’s signature dishes Chilled Pumpkin & Ginger Soup, and the main course was Australian beef, generously donated by Meat & Livestock Australia. Hardys premium Australian wines accompanied Shane's menu.

SPOTLIGHT

Australia's internationally famous cabaret legend, Robyn Archer AO gave a stunning performance. The brilliant pianist and composer Paul Grabowsky accompanied Robyn on piano. Robyn began singing at four years and professionally from 12 years old, everything from folk and pop to blues, rock, jazz and cabaret. Robyn has performed all over the world and has written over 100 songs, a dozen theatrical works and recorded eleven albums and has picked up many awards along the way. Robyn wished to dedicate her performance to the memory of Maurice de Rohan.

Paul Grabowsky is a pianist, composer and conductor, whose work is well-known both at home and overseas. He has covered territory from film and television to jazz and beyond. The Paul Grabowsky Trio has won two ARIA awards, and is one of Australia’s most influential bands of its type.

Cate Barr, Mezzo-Soprano, commenced her professional career at the State Opera of South Australia on their Young Artists Programme. London based for the past 9 years, Cate has sung for English National Opera, Garsington Festival, Aix-en-Provence, and the title role in "Der Rosenkavalier" at Scottish Opera.

Leslie Flanagan, baritone, has sung for the Bratislava International Music Festival, English Touring Opera, Longborough Opera Festival, and recently at the BBC Proms with conductor Paul Daniel.

Sophie Serafino was classically trained at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, her unique solo violin performances have been described as 'cutting edge virtuoso – pop violinist'. She is also a singer and songwriter.

SHOWCASE OF YOUNG AUSTRALIAN TALENT

AUSTRALIA HOUSE

JANUARY 23, 2007

For the past 3 years the Australia Day Foundation has showcased Australian talent at the annual Gala Dinner and the Australia Day Party. We asked Chelsea Plumley to dip into the enormous pool of talented young Australian artists who are making an impact on the London stage and Chelsea gathered together a star-studded cast from the worlds of Jazz, Dance, Pop, West End Musicals, Comedy, Cabaret, Classical and Theatre. Tim Minchin hosted the concert.

CABARET

Chelsea Plumley has appeared in concert and cabaret all over the world with performances in America, the UK, India, Australia and Asia. She is the recipient of the Australian GLUG Award for "Most Versatile Performer", and her 2006 London cabaret season was a sell out. Chelsea is a singer, actress, comedian and pianist, and is hosting and performing at the Cabaret Kit Kat Klub @ Too2Much in Soho every first Thursday of the month until April. Chelsea is the star entertainer at the Foundation's 2007 Australia Day Party.

COMEDY

Tim Minchin was host of the Australia Day Party in 2006 and he will be hosting and performing at the concert. Tim is a West Australian born and bred musician, comedian and actor now based in London. Tim won the Perrier Comedy Award for Best Newcomer at the Edinburgh Fringe in 2005, and has since established himself as an international act, touring in Australia and the UK, appearing in his own show on the West End, and performing on radio and television.

CLASSICAL

Imogen Roose - a classical artist who performs extensively in operas and concerts around the world.

DANCE

Adam-Jon Fiorentino – Leading man in 'Saturday Night Fever' and most recently appeared in the TV series 'Hollyoaks in the City'

Deone Zanotto – starred in the West End production of 'We Will Rock You', and has appeared in numerous musicals in Australia and Asia including 'Chicago' and 'Footloose'.

JAZZ

Nina Ferro – Gifted singer who has performed throughout North America, Europe, Asia and Australia. Most recently supported international artists at legendry jazz club, Ronnie Scott's.

POP

Kiki Courtidis – a singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist (piano, guitar, trumpet & drums). Kiki made it into the top 10 finalists of Popstart in 2003 and subsequently launched her solo career. James Roche accompanied Kiki at the concert.

WEST END MUSICALS

Tim Rogers – Most recently in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s West End production of ‘Whistle Down the Wind’. Tim is the creative director of ‘Tenors & Divas Incognito’ and regularly tours the world with concerts and corporate work.

Yvette Robinson – Starred in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s 'The Woman in White' and most recently in 'Chess' in Norway. Yvette is also a singer/songwriter on the contemporary music scene in London.

THEATRE

Simon Gleeson - an actor who has performed in plays at The Royal National Theatre, the West End and is due to perform in 'Kombat Opera Presents' for BBC Television. He is also due to appear with Richard Dreyfuss in 'My Life In Ruins'.

THE BAND

Andy Smith on piano, Rob Levy on double bass, and Julian Pool on drums/percussion.

SPONSORED BY:

2007 AUSTRALIA DAY PARTY

JANUARY 26, 2007

The Australia Day Foundation in association with Australian Business celebrated Australia's National Day with a party for young Australians living and working in London.

Once again ABN AMRO sponsored the event at their Bishopsgate HQ. The evening was hosted by Stephen Thompson, who told party guests that 100 years of surf lifesaving was being celebrated in Australia in 2007 and that we would celebrate it too.

The dinner followed a reception and SLSA red and yellow caps were on many Aussie heads as they enjoyed a superb 3-course dinner that included Australian beef. Dinner wouldn't be complete without Australian wine – from Lindemans.

The fabulous and electrifying Chelsea Plumley entertained guests. Chelsea is the recipient of the Australian GLUG Award for ‘Most Versatile Performer’ and her 2006 London cabaret season was a sell out. She is a singer, actress, comedian and pianist and she brought all of her natural talent to the Party.

2007 AWARD

YOUNG AUSTRALIAN ACHIEVER OF THE YEAR IN THE UK

In recognition of his dedication to Australian Rugby and his outstanding achievement, the Australia Day Foundation considered Joe Roff a worthy recipient of the 2007 Young Australian Achiever of the Year in the UK Award. Unfortunately Joe was unable to attend the dinner and he was subsequently presented with his award an another event.

'Superfly' had guests on their feet as they rocked to midnight.