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G'Day from AACC President Jackie Yuen
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Hello AACC Members and Friends, I'm writing this from the Sunshine Coast in Australia where I'm spending an extended time for family reasons. My mother has had spinal surgery and is in need of hands-on care, so I've decided to take the next few months off to focus on her recovery. As such I'm not able to devote the time needed for my role as President, so will be taking a formal leave of absence. The AACC will continue as usual and when needed, Dawn Lillington will cover for me. It's not been an easy decision, however, it's the prudent one, and I'm sure you'll all be supportive of Melissa and Dawn over the coming months. Before I sign off, I wanted to highlight 2 great events we're excited to be hosting in October so please join us! The 12th Annual International Scramble on October 3 at Crystal Springs Golf Course, Burlingame. We're partnering with 10 international chamber for a truly international golf experience that will be a mix of skill and fun as well as an expansive forum for making new connections.
Wine Flight - A United Polaris Experience on October 10 on the Klamath Historic Ship, Pier 9, San Francisco. We're delighted to be partnering with United Airlines to recreate the Polaris experience in addition to presenting a specially curated flight of Penfolds wines. Come fly with us!
I look forward to returning when I can and thank you for your understanding.
With gratitude, Jackie |
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AACC Director, Helen Fairclough... from the Victoria Desk
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Spring has sprung in Melbourne—well, sort of! With gale-force winds and hailstones making an appearance, it’s a wild welcome to the season. But don’t let that dampen your spirits; the AFL finals are heating up! Brisbane and Port Adelaide have charged into the preliminary finals, with the Lions set to clash with Geelong at the MCG, while the Power heads to Sydney. Everyone's gearing up for the Grand Final on Saturday, September 28th!
Now, let’s take a peek at the economic landscape. Australia is still navigating sluggish growth, with the economy expanding by just 0.2% in the June quarter, leading to an annual growth rate of about 1.3%. GDP per capita has dipped for six straight quarters, and business investment has fallen by 1.1%. While unemployment holds steady at around 4%, projections for business investment growth are tepid at just 2% for the current financial year and 1.8% for the next.
In Other News
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Big changes are coming to Melbourne Airport (no, not a train ;)) Federal Minister Catherine King has approved a third runway, which is expected to create over 50,000 jobs and inject nearly $6 billion into the state economy annually. Set to open in 2031, this new runway will boost the airport's capacity and reduce delays, paving the way for new airlines to join the scene.
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The Victorian Government is phasing out stamp duty on commercial and industrial properties, replacing it with a new tax based on land value.
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Starting January 2025, Australia will implement mandatory climate risk disclosures, requiring over 6,000 large companies to provide ESG data across their supply chains.
Exciting news on the horizon! Melbourne will host the 14th World Chambers Congress in September 2025—just one year away! The International Chamber of Commerce has tapped the Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry to lead the charge at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre. The theme, “Business, chambers, government: Partners for prosperity,” promises to unite representatives from over 100 countries. Think of it as the ‘Business Olympics’—a fantastic chance to connect with global leaders and unlock new opportunities. Don’t miss out—find out more here!
What’s Happening event wise in Melbourne?
Mark your calendars! The Melbourne Fringe Festival returns this October, featuring over 450 events showcasing cutting-edge independent artists. PAX Aus is back, celebrating gaming culture with panels, demos, and tournaments. And don’t miss David Walliams from Little Britain, who’ll be performing in South Wharf!
Even though my beloved Pies aren't making an appearance I’m still off to gear up for a massive week of Grand Final action. Until next time! |
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AFL GRAND FINAL WATCH PARTY |
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The AFL Grand Final excitement is building! Soon we'll know which two teams will battle it out for the premiership. Watch the action unfold on the big screen. Enjoy a classic Aussie meat pie. Sip on your choice of Aussie beer or wine. |
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12TH ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL GOLF SCRAMBLE |
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We're 2 weeks out from our annual golf tournament! It's not too late to register, bragging rights are at stake as we take on the international community in the Bay Area. |
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We're seeking volunteers to help out on the day, if you're interested, please reach out melissa@sfaussies.com |
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THANKS TO OUR EVENT SPONSORS |
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WINE FLIGHT: A UNITED POLARIS EXPERIENCE |
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Enjoy a sit down tasting of a series of wines from California and Australia with accompanying grazing table. Including new vintages from California and Australia (classics like red blends and cabernet sauvignon), wine never-been released to the US (Member Exclusive) and to round it out, one of their most celebrated and collected wines (yes... an Icon).
Guests will also have the opportunity to hear from both United and Penfolds about how they are implementing eco-friendly practices and shaping the future of their respective fields. |
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The AACC thrives on its members, and we're excited to welcome three new additions to our community this month. |
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LATEST NEWS FROM AACC MEMBERS |
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MAKE YOUR EVENT EXCLUSIVE & MEMORABLE WITH A PRIVATE CHEF |
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Forget dining out. You can entertain at home without the stress. CHEFIN is the largest network of independent Chefs. Each dish is a thoughtfully crafted masterpiece, showcasing skill & creativity. Book with us for peace of mind. We take pride in our work. AACC members receive a 15% discount, check out the offer code in the 'Mates Rates' section of the website.
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AUSTRALIAN EXPAT TAX CONSIDERATIONS & AUSTRALIAN PROPERTY MARKET UPDATE VIDEO |
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Australian property has been an effective tax planning tool for Aussie expats for a many years. However, recent changes to home loan rules and tax changes coupled with higher entry points are challenging that convention. Thankfully, Australian property markets are experiencing strong gains due to increased population, downsizing trends, and property supply shortages across all states. At the same time property tax has been escalating with Capital Gains Tax, buyer stamp duty, land tax and foreign buyer surcharges lifting sharply. Watch this free presentation by Steve Douglas.
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SYDNEY INNOVATORS PITCH NIGHT @ #SFTechWeek |
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Investment NSW, in partnership with CBRE, is excited to host an exclusive pitch night, highlighting the thriving tech ecosystem in Sydney, Australia - showcasing a collection of innovative startups that have flown over for SF Tech Week! |
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WORKING TOGETHER FOR INNOVATION: CELEBRATING DECADES OF COLLABORATION |
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CSIRO has collaborated with Boeing for 35 years on research and development for the aviation industry and beyond. The achievements of this partnership include technologies like sustainable aviation fuel, aeroplane paint and space logistics. Dr Rayna Simon's is one of about 120 Australia scientists engaged on advance aerospace technologies as part of the partnership. |
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CHECK OUT 'MATES RATES' OFFERS |
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One of the perks of being an AACC member is having access to special offers, see the current offers below and log in to the member portal to access the full 'Mates Rates' offering. |
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JOIN OUR ONLINE COMMUNITY > |
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