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WebSummit 2017

German Australian Business Council Member Robert Harrison joined a number of other Australians at the WebSummit held recently in Lisbon, Portugal. It was a good opportunity to learn about trends and discuss Australian startups. The event itself attracted over 60,000 people ranging from startup entrepreneurs, politicians, journalists and musicians and is sometimes described as “Davos for Geeks”. It was a mixture of discussions on technical and political matters, training events, and showcasing startup companies from around the world.

Ambassador Rayner with Robert Harrison and Michael Bingel

Ambassador Rayner with Robert Harrison and Michael Bingel

Peter Rayner, Australian Ambassador to Portugal, hosted a reception on the Wednesday evening that was attended by around fifty people, including Michael Bingel from Austrade’s Landing Pad in Berlin. Peter welcomed the Australian attendees and the attention that the WebSummit had brought to the city.

Rob has already booked his ticket for the 2018 event and looks forward to catching up with other Australians who find their way to Lisbon. He’d be happy to help arrange contacts and help with any Australian company that wishes to extend their stay.

Lynette Wood - Austrlian Ambassador

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Australian Indigenous Art Exhibition runs in Berlin until April 2018

Evangelos Kotsopoulos attended Thursday´s formal opening of a hugely impressive art exhibition of indigenous Australian art at the me Collector´s Room (a large private gallery in Berlin-Mitte. The exhibition runs through to early April 2018 and is on loan from the National Gallery of Australia. It is the largest collection of this kind which the National Gallery has ever sent outside of the country and shows beautiful, traditional artworks from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders artist, right through to modern/contemporary installations.

Ambassador WoodAmbassador Lynette Wood opened the exhibition and the event was very well attended by about 200 visitors and quite a bit of press.

The show was the culmination and endpoint of the Australia now 2017 cultural year in Germany, which has been a great success.

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EU – Australia Framework Agreement

The EU – Australia Framework Agreement was signed by the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy / Vice-President of the European Commission, Federica Mogherini, and the Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs, Julie Bishop, on the 7th of August, 2017, in Manila, The Philippines.

Marking the beginning of a new era of strategic cooperation between the European Union and Australia, the EU – Australia Framework Agreement will enable the European Union and Australia to further address challenges dealing with foreign and security policy, sustainable development, climate change, and economic and trade matters.

Closer links between leaders across government, business and civil society will thus be encouraged. The EU – Australia Framework Agreement will guide future engagement between the European Union and Australia, accompanying work towards launching negotiations for a comprehensive EU-Australia Free Trade Agreement.

 

Reference:

https://eeas.europa.eu/headquarters/headquarters-homepage/30843/eu-australia-sign-framework-agreement-closer-cooperation_en

 

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German Australian Business Council Board Members at the Australian Parliament’s Joint Standing Committee

We are presenting on Monday to the trade sub-committee of the Australian Parliament’s Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade. Taking part will be board members Robert Harrison, Sabine Pittrof and Andre Haermeyer together with Jens Rintze from Squire Patton Boggs. We’re looking forward to discussing the implications of a Free Trade Agreement between the UK and Australia. A livestream is available here http://www.aph.gov.au/News_and_Events/Watch_Parliament. 

 

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Bayerisches Wirtschaftsgespräch mit Bundeskanzlerin Dr. Angela Merkel

Yesterday German Australian Business Council Board Members Eberhard Goihl and Robert Harrison were invited to listen to a speech of German Chancellor Dr. Angela Merkel in Munich. It was very interesting to be provided with first hand information on both business and social policy as well as impressions of the G20 meeting in Hamburg.

See the article below for further information:

https://www.vbw-bayern.de/vbw/Aktionsfelder/Wirtschaft-und-Gesellschaft/Politischer-Dialog/R%C3%BCckblick-39.-Bayerisches-Wirtschaftsgespr%C3%A4ch-mit-Bundeskanzlerin-Dr.-Angela-Merkel.jsp

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Breakfast Briefing with German Honorary Consul

Members and friends of the German Australian Business Council gathered in Frankfurt on 7 July 2017 for a breakfast briefing with German Honorary Consul Prof. Michael Rosemann. Prof. Rosemann shared with attendees the various German initiatives that take place in Brisbane such as German week and David meets Goliath. He also captivated his audience with fascinating stories about how the universities help businesses transition to a digitalized world and adapting to a different mindset by thinking in a “bigger box”.

It was a great event to start the work day with attendees taking away a lot of food for thought.

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Dinner with Australian Finance Minister

Business Council Chair, Sabine Pittrof, was invited to a dinner with Sen. The Hon. Mathias Cormann in Frankfurt on 3rd July 2017. The evening was organized by Federal MP Volkmar Klein, who chairs the German Australian New Zealand parliamentary group. Mr Klein had invited a number of companies from his electorate with business dealings in Australia. In addition, there were some German bank representatives that are active in Australia. Attendees enjoyed listening to the various success stories in an informal atmosphere. It was a great networking opportunity and may also result in additional members for the German Australian Business Council.

The photo shows Volkmar Klein and delegates from the Siegen-Wittgenstein electorate with Minister Cormann with Business Council Chair kindly invited to join the photo.

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Frankfurt Summer Networking Event at feinform

The German Australian Business Council’s special summer networking event revolved around art, design and beauty. For the first time, GABC expanded its scope by venturing into New Zealand territory. The event took place in our member Rena Jarosewitsch’s jewellery gallery, atelier and shop in Frankfurt, called feinform.

It was indeed a pleasant, inspiring and much appreciated evening. GABC members and friends eagerly listened to Rena’s fascinating story, taking her all the way to New Zealand where she worked over a decade as a glass artist. Back in Germany, Rena switched careers to specialise in jewellery design: two distinct crafts with overlapping traits such as work with light and reflections. Rena has featured in various exhibitions around the world. Guests learnt about the craft of jewellery design whilst admiring Rena’s own beautiful collection, as well as those of her other national and international colleagues. It was also a perfect opportunity to discuss and network while enjoying a glass of delicious Australian wine. An all-round successful evening!

feinform

Rena Jarosewitsch

http://www.galerie-feinform.de

Weckmarkt 3, 60322 Frankfurt am Main

r.jarosewitsch@feinform.de

+49 (0)69 29 22 88

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Australian Indigenous Art Exhibition

Sculpture Park Wesenberg, Künstler Bei Wu, Mecklenburg
Germany
Opening: Saturday June 24th

13:45 Welcoming drinks
14:00 Opening speeches 
14:30 Concert / A concert to celebrate the inauguration of the Australian Indigenous Art Centre
15:30 Viewing of the exhibition & cocktail

Download exhibition catalogue

With the support of the Australian Embassies in Paris & Berlin
and in collaboration with the programme of Australia now Germany 2017

Exhibition: 25 June – 31 October 2017

Tuesdays to sundays: 10:00 am –  4:00 pm

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Vacant position – Marketing and Member Relations Manager (Aust-UK Chamber of Commerce)

The Australia-United Kingdom Chamber of Commerce is looking for someone to take on the role of Marketing and Member Relations Manager, an exciting position at the forefront of the Chamber’s community and activities. They’ll need to be a committed, adaptable and proactive individual with experience in marketing, strong people skills and a demonstrable understanding of Australia.

Further details can be found at the following address: