2012 Gala Dinner

In the summer of 2012 London will host the Olympic Games

 On Saturday 21 January 2012The Australia Day Foundation celebrated Australia's Olympic heritage & heroes at Australia House   

The Chairman of the Australia Day Foundation Philip Aiken welcomed guests in the Boxing Kangaroo Club saying......'Australians are sport mad, it’s in our blood and I can’t think of a more exhilarating way to celebrate Australia Day 2012 in London than to look back with great pride at Australia’s Olympic heritage and its heroes.  Australia’s first ever gold medallist hero was Edwin Flack, winning 2 gold on the track in Athens in 1896 and Australia's swimming hero Iain Thorpe has won more medals than any other Australian - he only competed in 2 games, winning 5 gold 3 silver and 1 bronze.  Our Olympic hero tonight is Michael Wenden - Michael won 4 medals in the Mexico Olympic Games in 1968 equalling Thorpe's Athens record.  Michael currently holds the record for the most Commonwealth Games gold medals won by a male (9 gold at three successive games, 1966, 70 and 74).

 Gold Sponsors

BG Group

National Australia Group

Qantas

Rio Tinto

Telstra

Treasury Wine Estates

Silver Sponsors

Anglo American

BHP Billiton

CQS Management

Macquarie

Ramsay Healthcare UK

Robert Walters

Tourism Australia

Westfield

Australian former rugby player Michael Lynagh disucssing Australia's Olympic past and future with Australia's Olympic swimming hero Michael Wenden.

AWARDS 2012

Philip Aiken announced each award winner.  The Minister for Foreign AffairsThe Hon Kevin Rudd and the High Commissioner to Australia, HE John Dauth presented the awards.

AUSTRALI AN OF THE YEAR IN THE UK

This award salutes an Australian who has excelled in their own right in Britain. The previous recipients are Clive James, Professor Lord May of Oxford, Professor Lord Broers of Cambridge, Sir Charles Mackerras, Michael Hintze, Gill Hicks, John Williams and Stuart Devlin.

Barry Humphries

Philip Aiken Chairman of the Australian Day Foundation said 'How do you sum up Barry Humphries extraordinary and varied talents?  Quite simply, he is one of the funniest and most revered artists Australia has produced and he is loved by millions of people throughout the world.  The Australia Day Foundation considers Barry Humphries a truly worthy recipient of the 2012 Australian of the Year in the UK award.

[Awards]

HONORARY AUSTRALI AN OF THE YEAR IN THE UK

This award offers opportunity to recognise a non-Australian resident of the UK who displays ‘Australian characteristics’ or has contributed significantly to Australia.  Previous winners are: Hazel Murphy,  Alan Whicker, Baroness Greenfield, Lloyd Dorfman, Lord Carrington, Sir David Attenborough , Sir Robert Wilson and Lord Goodlad.

Matthew Jukes

Philip Aiken, Chairman said......'Matthew Jukes has undoubtedly made a huge contribution to the Australian wine industry and as Patron and Founder of Touch Wine he spends much of his time Down Under.   The Australia Day foundation considers Mathew Jukes a fitting recipient of the 2012  Honorary Australian of the Year in the UK award'.

[Awards]

YOUNG AUSTRALIAN ACHIEVER OF THE YEAR IN THE UK

ThisAward recognises the achievements of a young Australian in the UK in any field of endeavour – business, sport, arts and culture, and the professions. Previous winners are: Harry Kewell, Shane Osborn, Joe Roff, Chloe Chick, Matt Wilkin, Dr Ainsley Newson and Tim Minchin.

Yasmin Sewell

Philip Aiken said......'Yasmin Sewell has proved that if you are highly talented and have a commitment and love of what you do you can achieve great success in your chosen field and Yasmin has certainly achieved great things in the world of fashion.   The Australia Day Foundation considers Yasmin a most worthy recipient of the 2012 Young Achiever of the Year in the UK award.

[Awards]

London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic medals were on display at Australia House, courtesy of Rio Tinto.

CHEF

Australian chef Brett Graham is only 32 but already has two Michelen stars and his Nottinghill restaurant The Ledbury was voted the 34th best restaurant in the world and was named the top restaurant in the UK in the Sunday Times Food List.  Brett and The Ledbury have received many accolades and awards since opening.  We were delighted when Brett agreed to create a four course menu worthy of a gold medal for the 2012 Gala Dinner. 

CABARET

Steven Grace performed at the Sydney 2000 Olympic and Paralympic Games opening and closing ceremonies and in keeping with our Olympic celebrations we Steven to entertain our guests.  Steven produced a fabulous cabaret with Australia's very talented Caroline O'Connor and Grace Embassy, featuring Steven Grace, Nathan Pinnell, Mandy Liddell and Lisa Norman.

Advance Australia Fair was sung by Australian musical theatre star Nathan Pinnell.