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 Judith Fergin speaks on local radio during a recent visit to Longreach, Queensland.

Longreach Local Radio

Longreach, QLD — 28 October 2009

Consul General Judith Fergin spoke on local radio during a recent visit to Longreach, Queensland.

Consul General Judith Fergin speaks to business leaders at a meeting of the combined Rotary Clubs in Mt. Isa, Queensland.

Consul in Mt. Isa

Mt. Isa — 26 October 2009

During a recent visit, Consul General Judith Fergin spoke to business leaders at a meeting of the combined Rotary Clubs in Mt. Isa, Queensland.

Dr. Cordesman speaks at the U.S. Consulate in Melbourne.

Assessing Afghanistan and Pakistan

Melbourne — 22 October 2009

U.S. national security expert Anthony Cordesman discusses the challenges ahead for coalition forces in Afghanistan and Pakistan during his visits to Hobart and Melbourne. Dr. Cordesman held a series of meetings across the Consular district, and spoke to the University of Tasmania, Monash University and the Australian Institute of International Affairs.

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

Giving Students the Golden Key

Perth — 20 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.

Dr. Cordesman takes questions at a seminar in Canberra.

Assessing Afghanistan

Canberra, Sydney and Brisbane — October 2009

U.S. national security expert Anthony Cordesman discusses the challenges ahead for coalition forces in Afghanistan and Pakistan during a seminar in Canberra. Dr. Cordesman is currently in Australia as part of trip arranged by the State Department and will visit Canberra, Sydney, Melbourne, Hobart and Perth.

You can watch portions of Dr. Cordesman's remarks in Canberra on our YouTube site.

Daniel Price meets with finance officials at the U.S. Embassy in Canberra.

Exploring Cost of Financial Crisis

Canberra — 8 October 2009

Daniel Price, a lawyer and former advisor to President Bush, discusses the new roles for APEC, the G20 and the impact of the financial crisis and climate change on regional economies during presentations in Canberra, Sydney and Melbourne.

To hear portions of Price's talk, visit our YouTube site.