AACC NEWS AND EVENTS 

APRIL 2024

G'Day from AACC President, 

Jackie Yuen

Dear AACC Members and Friends,

There are a couple of major events to highlight this month.

ANZAC Day, April 25, is one of Australia's most important national occasions. It marks the 109th anniversary of the first major military action fought by Australian and New Zealand forces during the First World War, landing in Gallipoli in 1915. The AACC, the Australian and New Zealand Consulates will be hosting a commemoration service on April 21. See details below.

San Francisco will be celebrating it's 2nd annual SF Climate Week during April 21-27. The climate gathering platform is to encourage dialogue and collaboration that can bridge the gap between business, political, and advocacy leaders, and help cultivate important connections that will pave the way for a brighter, more sustainable San Francisco. Numerous events will be held, including one hosted by Deep Planet and Austrade on April 22 - details below. we will also be sharing related posts across social media, highlighting initiatives of AACC members.

EVENTS

• April Coffee Meet Up - Friday April 19 at 10am at Bluestone Lane, 55 2nd St, San Francisco

• ANZAC Day Service - Sunday April 21 at 11am at USS Hornet, 707 W Hornet Ave, Pier 3, Alameda

• Climate Panel in partnership with Deep Planet and Austrade - Monday April 22 at 2:30pm

• Welcome to new Small Business Member - Athena Blue Global.

• Thanks to renewing Benefactor Members - Telstra and Lendlease.

As always, thank you for your support of the AACC.

With much gratitude,

Jackie

UPCOMING AACC EVENTS

APRIL COFFEE MEET UP

☕️Join AACC Executive Director Melissa Zajic for a monthly meet up for Australians living in the Bay Area. This is a great opportunity to connect with other Aussies, learn about the AACC, and enjoy a cup of coffee.

📅 Friday, April 19

🕚 10:00 am - 11:00 am 

📍Bluestone Lane, 55 2nd St, San Francisco

ANZAC DAY SERVICE

On behalf of the Australian and New Zealand communities in San Francisco, we invite you to attend the annual ANZAC Day service on Sunday, April 21st at the USS Hornet. 

📅 Sunday, April 21st 2024

 🕚 11:00 am Service, followed by refreshments

  📍USS Hornet, 707 W Hornet Ave, Alameda, CA 94501

SF CLIMATE WEEK - UNCORKING SUSTAINABILITY

Hear from wine industry leaders about how they are driving sustainable practices in wine making.

📅 Monday, April 22

🕚 2:30 pm - 4:30 pm 

📍Klamath Historic Ship, Pier 9, San Francisco

MEMBER SPOTLIGHT

LATEST NEWS FROM AACC MEMBERS

CHAMPIONS OF CHANGE HOSTS SESSION ON PAY EQUITY

Pictured: Scott Wyatt, CEO, Viva Energy, and Member of the Champions of Change Coalition. Helen Dalley-Fisher, Executive Director, Equality Rights Alliance. Dr Astrid Perry OAM, Head of Women, Equity and DFV, SSI. Senator the Hon Katy Gallagher Minister for Women, Finance and the Public Service. Mary Woolridge, Executive Director, Australia's Workplace Gender Equality Agency. Marie Festa, CEO, Chief Executive Women.Kaylee Anderson, Director Indigenuity Lab and Lenape partner. Claire Johnston, CEO, Lendlease.

Lendlease was honored to welcome the Champions of Change to Lendlease’s New York office, for their discussion of using gender data to drive equity and close pay gaps. The Australian Government, Workplace Gender Equality Agency, Chief Executive Women (CEW), SSI, Indigenuity Lab, Feminist Equal Rights Alliance (FERA) and the Champions of Change Coalition showcased the power of Australia's world-leading gender data to forge a path towards gender equality across the life course of women and close gender pay gaps. The session was a testament to the innovative spirit and commitment shared by Australian leaders in harnessing data for impactful policy-making and organisational change.

AUSTRADE SAN FRANCISCO IS HIRING

Austrade San Francisco is seeking a dynamic Business Development Manager to support our start-up Landing Pad. This role is perfect for someone with a proven track record in the start-up ecosystem and an agile and proactive work style.

As part of our team, you'll work closely with innovative Aussie start-ups, helping them to land and expand in the U.S. market. Your expertise will guide these businesses through their transformative journey from local greats to global contenders.

Applications close Sunday 5 May 2024.

MODERN AWARD COMPLIANCE AUSTRALIA

Australia has a unique statutory system of modern awards that set the terms and conditions of employment and minimum pay rates for employees in certain industries and occupations.

There are currently over 120 modern awards in the system, which apply to a significant portion of Australia’s employers and employees and provide additional rights and entitlements to employees beyond the entitlements provided by the National Employment Standards. This includes minimum rates of pay, loadings, allowances, overtime rates, and rules around break times and rest time between shifts.

This session will take place on Tuesday April 30 at 9:00am PDT and will provide detailed guidance on modern award compliance for companies with operations in Australia.

CSIRO APPOINTS NEW DEPUTY CHIEF EXECUTIVE

Australia’s national science agency, CSIRO, announced the appointment of Ms Kirsten Rose to the newly created position of Deputy Chief Executive.

In this role, Ms Rose will help lead the strategic direction of one of the largest research organisations in the world, which uses science and technology to deliver benefit to the Australian community.

A recognised leader in innovation, technology, and gender diversity issues, Ms Rose is an Australian Academy of Technological Sciences & Engineering (ATSE) fellow, an active member of Chief Executive Women (CEW), an AmCham governor in Western Australia, and serves in a range of other advisory and non-executive director roles. She will commence in the role on 20 May 2024.

SENDING MONEY TO THE U.S., AUSTRALIA, AND INTERNATIONALLY: WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW

Here are top tips for sending money overseas:

1. Don't use your bank. Banks typically charge hefty fees and high margins on the exchange rate. 
2. Find a reputable money transfer provider, like OFX, to get great exchange rates and swift delivery time.
3. Stay on top of exchange rate fluctuations. Pay attention to upcoming central bank announcements or major elections. 
4. Use risk management tools. Forward Contracts let you lock in a rate for up to 12 months, so you can keep you budget intact.

GENERATIVE AI AND MACHINE LEARNING CONTRACTS

Generative AI and machine learning (ML) systems are presenting contracting challenges not always seen in traditional IT contracts. As with all successful tech contracts, the parties entering the contract (and their lawyers) need to understand the technology to ensure they are best protecting their position and accepting risk they can manage. This article considers some issues inherent in generative AI and ML contracts, and strategies for addressing them effectively.

EXQUISITE DINNER: A CULINARY JOURNEY TO CELEBRATE NATURE AND SUSTAINABILITY

Thursday, April 25 | 6:00 to 9:00 PM 

Astra at the St. Regis San Francisco

Join us for a truly unique dining experience as Astra's culinary experts present a thoughtfully crafted prix fixe menu showcasing the importance of pollinators and their contributions to the culinary landscape. Each course will be artfully paired with handcrafted cocktails featuring Barr Hill spirits, known for raw honey as their distinguishing ingredient that imparts a soft and subtle essence of wildflower nectars. As you savor each delectable bite and sip, you will also have the opportunity to learn from Peter Wohlers, a Beekeeper with the San Francisco Beekeepers Association. Wohlers will shed light on the crucial role of pollinators, sharing fascinating insights into their importance in our ecosystem.

COMMUNITY EVENTS

ASIAN AMERICAN & PACIFIC ISLANDER HERITAGE MONTH

Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage Month is coming up in May. From captivating films to inspiring events, you can find everything you need to celebrate the diversity and resilience of the AAPI community. 

THANK YOU TO RENEWING MEMBERS

WELCOME NEW MEMBER

Not a member yet? Join the AACC today.

CHECK OUT 'MATES RATES' OFFERS

One of the perks of being an AACC member is having access to special offers, promotions and discounts. Log in to the member portal to access these 'Mates Rates'.

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