The American Australian Association opened its new Manhattan headquarters on Tuesday night with a star-studded event celebrating the nonprofit’s 75th anniversary.
News Corp executive chairman Rupert Murdoch and other notable luminaries were on hand to unveil the “Murdoch Center.”
The headquarters will serve as a cultural center and meeting place to assist the association’s mission of fostering stronger ties between the US and Australia.
“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, with the result that this new bilateral relationship became crucial.” Murdoch said. “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.”
The opening event was also attended by Murdoch’s son Lachlan, Fox Corp.’s executive chairman, as well as US Ambassador to Australia Caroline Kennedy, Australian Ambassador to the US Arthur Sinodinos and Australian billionaire Anthony Pratt.
“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,” the elder Murdoch said. “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.”
Located at 600 3rd Ave. in Manhattan, the Murdoch Center will host business roundtables and conferences for American and Australian businesses, serve as a hub to showcase the work of the association’s grant recipients and provide resources for newly arrived Australians, among other functions.
“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,” the association’s chairman Craig Chapman said.
“Their investment in our future undergirds the value of freedom and democracy that our two great nations will always share,” Chapman added.
Added Kennedy: “There is no more important relationship in the world right now than the US and Australia.”
The American Australian Association was founded in 1948 by Sir Keith Murdoch.
[Written in collaboration with other media outlets with information from the following sources]
