The Association’s new headquarters
celebrates 75 years of American-Australian ties;
honors founder Sir Keith Murdoch and the
Murdoch family, with support from News Corp, Fox Corporation and
the Pratt Foundation
The American Australian Association, founded by Sir Keith
Murdoch in 1948, is proud to launch the next era of the Association
with the opening of its new headquarters in New York City. Named
the American Australian Association Murdoch Center, it will serve
as a meeting place for Americans and Australians to collaborate in
pursuit of strong ties between their two nations.
The Center, located at 600 3rd Avenue in Manhattan, formally
opened on March 14 with United States Ambassador to Australia, the
Hon. Caroline Kennedy and Australian Ambassador to the United
States, the Hon. Arthur Sinodinos AO in attendance, along with
Rupert and Lachlan Murdoch, and Anthony Pratt.
“The Murdoch Center was made possible by a very generous grant
from News Corp and Fox Corporation, and with the wonderful support
of the Pratt Foundation,” said Craig Chapman, Chair of the
Association. “Their investment in our future undergirds the values
of freedom and democracy that our two great nations will always
share.”
For 75 years, the American Australian Association has worked to
strengthen the alliance between the two countries as a conduit of
culture, commerce and community, opening doors to endless
possibilities.
The Murdoch Center will allow the Association to showcase the
intellectual and artistic abilities of more than 1,000 graduate
scholars, veterans and artists who have been awarded over US$15
million in grants by the Association. “We are very proud of our
scholarship and exchange programs, which are designed to offer fair
opportunities to Americans and Australians alike, becoming one of
the largest Indigenous exchange programs between the United States
and Australia,” said Amb. John Berry (retired), now President of
the Association.
“I remember my father launching the American Australian
Association 75 years ago. Australia had entered the Second World
War as a member of the British Empire and ended having been saved
by the United States, resulting in this new bilateral relationship
becoming crucial. And what was true then is absolutely the case
now, with the world facing many historic challenges, including the
rise of a belligerent China. To further this understanding, the
Association plays an important role in creating post-graduate
scholarships for talented young Australian and American
researchers, whose work has transformed and saved lives,” said Mr.
Murdoch at the opening of the Murdoch Center. "Finally, I would
just add, it means much to me to have Lachlan here today sharing in
this important moment and continuing the family tradition. So, many
thanks to all for what you have done for the Association and for
what you surely will do for the two countries that I call home,
Australia and the United States.”
“Australia’s relationship with America is our most important,
and it’s never been stronger or closer thanks to organizations like
this,” said Anthony Pratt, also speaking at the opening ceremony.
He continued, “the Pratt Foundation is honored to support the
establishment of the new center and I’m proud to be here tonight
alongside Rupert and Lachlan Murdoch as we celebrate the 75th
anniversary of this great Association.”
In the spirit of the evening, Ambassador Caroline Kennedy
stated, “there is no more important relationship in the world right
now than the US and Australia.”
The Murdoch Center will enable the United States Studies Centre
in Sydney and the Perth USAsia Centre, part of the American
Australian Association family, to bring their world class research
from Australia to the United States. It will also empower the
Association to carry forward its mission of deepening economic
engagement between the two nations through business roundtables,
conferences and in other gatherings that encourage trade,
investment and innovation. Much of this work will come under the
auspices of the Association’s Business Council, co-chaired by
Lachlan Murdoch and former Association Chair, Jennifer Nason. The
Murdoch Center will allow the Association to provide resources to
arriving Australians and a home for the community in New York
City.
Photos from the event: https://we.tl/t-6wBJwQdiu8
Photo Credit: Jenna Bascom Photography
Note to Editors: The photograph of the ribbon cutting
features an Indigenous Artwork in the background, commissioned by
the American Australian Association from the APY Art Centre
Collective. The work is a collaboration between eight Indigenous
women artists based in Adelaide, South Australia: Rhoda Tjitayi,
Sandra Pumani, Josephine Mick, Tjimpuna Williams, Jennifer
Ingkatji, Yaritji Heffernan, Leah Brady and Nyunmiti Burton.
L to R: Craig Chapman, Amb. Caroline Kennedy, Amb. John Berry
(Ret.), Rupert Murdoch, Lachlan Murdoch, Anthony Pratt, Amb. Arthur
Sinodinos & Jennifer Nason.
About the American Australian Association
The American Australian Association is the largest privately
funded non-profit organization dedicated to broadening,
strengthening, and developing ties across the Pacific. For 75
years, our programs have connected our two cultures, guided our
people, and provided new opportunities for a diverse network of
trail blazers. The Association’s scholarships & exchanges
champion progress, creativity, and expression, providing
opportunities to young American and Australian leaders to undertake
transformational study, research and professional or artistic
development in each other’s country. For more information visit
www.americanaustralian.org or find us on Facebook:
@americanaustralian, Instagram & Twitter: @_aaausa
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version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230315005404/en/
For Media Inquiries: Libbi Swan Director of Government
Affairs, Arts & Operations American Australian Association
libbi.swan@americanaustralian.org
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