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2005 Public Affairs Programs
Chat: U.S. Non-Immigrant Visas
1 December 2005
A Consular Officer from the Visa Section conducted an on-line chat session from 2:00pm to 3:00pm to answer questions on non-immigrant visas. Questions answered included info about the new visa for Australians to work in the U.S., the E-3 visa.
U.S.-Australia Ministerial Talks Conclude
18 November 2005
The U.S.-Australia ministerial meetings in Adelaide concluded on 18 November with a joint press conference by U.S. Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld, Deputy Secretary of State Robert B. Zoellick, Minister for Foreign Affairs Alexander Downer and Minister for Defence Robert Hill.
Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs Alexander Downer, Australian Minister for Defence Robert Hill, U.S. Secretary of Defense Donald H. Rumsfeld and U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Robert B. Zoellick met in Adelaide on 17-18 November 2005 to discuss global and regional security and the state of the alliance between Australia and the United States. The talks marked the 20th anniversary of AUSMIN consultations and 54 years of strategic partnership under the ANZUS alliance. 
American Navy Ship USS Frank Cable Visits Brisbane
Brisbane — 7 November 2005
USS Frank Cable (AS 40) arrived in Brisbane, Australia, Nov. 7 for the submarine tender’s first visit Down Under since 2003.
The ship is in Brisbane to allow the 1,200-person crew to take in the culture and history of Australia and enjoy the country’s world-famous hospitality.
Only one of two submarine tenders in the U.S. Navy, Frank Cable is homeported in Guam, and as the Pacific Fleet’s only submarine tender, readily deploys throughout the Western Pacific to such ports as South Korea, Hong Kong and Japan to provide services to both submarines and surface ships in the Seventh Fleet area of responsibility.
For more information about Frank Cable, visit the ship’s Web site at www.cable.navy.mil.
American Roadside Architecture Exhibit - Photographs by John Margolies
27 September to 16 October 2005
The Embassy of the United States of America, with the Canberra Centre, presented a photographic exhibition entitled American Roadside Architecture by noted U.S. photographer and architectural historian John Margolies. The exhibit ran from 27 September to 16 October at the Canberra Centre on the upper concourse glass deck. Assembled under auspices of the U.S. Department of State, the exhibit comprised high-resolution color photos divided into three sections describing the early architecture of gas stations, roadside lodging, restaurants, and eateries.
American Roadside Architecture documents a unique and fast disappearing American architecture designed to appeal primarily to motoring tourists, one that relied heavily on local culture and sensibilities. In an age of nationwide chains, the Mum-and-Dad businesses that characterized the first half of the twentieth century in America have all but vanished. These photos are the artifacts of a creative, whimsical, and very inviting moment in American business and tourism.
More information
- Brochure: American Roadside Architecture Exhibit - PDF format
Admiral William J. Fallon at the U.S. Embassy Canberra
23 September 2005
Admiral William J. Fallon, Commander, U.S. Pacific Command addressed a panel of journalists at a media roundtable at U.S. Embassy Canberra. In Australia for meetings with counterparts, Admiral Fallon answered questions on defense issues related to PACOM and regional issues of interest to both the United States and Australia.
More information
September 11th Observed at the U.S. Embassy Canberra
11 September 2005
The U.S. Embassy commemorated the September 11th terrorist attacks on Monday, 12 September with a ceremony beginning at 8:40am. The program was held at the flagpole in front of the Chancery and included a U.S. Marine Corps color guard, remarks by the Chargé, a moment of silence, and the singing of “God Bless America.”
The Embassy also affixed flags, one for each victim of the 9/11 attacks according to nationality, to the perimeter fence around the Embassy. These flags were on display over the weekend of September 11th.
The Role of Bilateral and Multilateral Agreements in Global Trade Liberalization
8-16 August 2005
The Cato Institute’s Director of Trade Policy Studies, Daniel Griswold, visited Australia on 8-16 August to discuss the role of bilateral and multilateral agreements in global trade liberalization. He met with government officials, lobbyists, academics, students and businesspersons in Sydney, Melbourne, Canberra, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth. Perhaps the highlight of his visit was addressing the inaugural session of the new “Confucius Institute” at the University of Western Australia. Griswold’s vigorous advocacy of free trade, observations on Sino-Australian FTA negotiations, and characterization of its possible impact on U.S. relations with both countries were timely and well received by the audience.
A Celebration of 40 Years for Canberra’s Link in the Deep Space Network
14 August 2005
2005 marks 40 years of continuous operations at the Canberra Deep Space Communication Complex (CDSCC) in the quiet, farmland setting of Tidbinbilla. At this year’s CDSCC Open Day on August 14, Deputy NASA Administrator, Fred Gregory “delivered” a special recorded message from the crew of the International Space Station, thanking Australia for the support it has offered NASA over the years. The open day allowed visitors to conduct an in-depth inspection of the massive antenna complex that space agencies rely on throughout the universe! 
More information
Mr. Peter Brookes Seminar on Bush Foreign Policy Initiatives
27 July 2005
Senior Fellow for National Security Affairs & Director Asian Studies Center of the Heritage Foundation, Mr. Peter Brookes, provided remarks then participated in a lively discussion during a seminar on the Foreign Policy Initiatives of the Second Bush Administration at the Office of Public Affairs, U.S. Embassy Canberra Australia.
Peter Brookes’ primary responsibility at the Heritage Foundation is to communicate the organization’s stance on foreign policy and national security affairs. Before coming to Heritage, Brookes served in the Bush Administration as the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense (DASD) for Asian and Pacific Affairs in the Office of Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld. Brookes has also served as an Intelligence Officer with the Central Intelligence Agency’s Directorate of Operations. During a program tour in Australia, Brookes visited Brisbane, Sydney, Canberra, Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth.
U.S. Embassy Canberra Celebrates Independence Day
4 July 2005
The U.S. Embassy in Canberra observed the Independence Day holiday with traditional American foods, music and games for the children. Embassy families and invited guests were treated to a dazzling performance by the Seventh U.S. Fleet Far East Band performing many old time favorites as well as the national anthems for the United States and Australia. On dusk, the children were delighted by a huge fireworks display as a magnificent finale for the day’s celebrations.
Independence Day is regarded as the birthday of the United States as a free and independent nation. Most Americans simply call it the “Fourth of July,” on which date it always falls.
It is a day of picnics and patriotic parades, a night of concerts and fireworks. The flying of the American flag (which also occurs on Memorial Day and other holidays) is widespread.
More information
U.S. Federal Benefits Internet Chat
9 June 2005
Mr. Tom Ashley, the Regional Federal Benefits Officer for the Asia Pacific Region conducted an on-line chat session on June 9 to discuss a variety of Social Security Administration issues including:
- Benefits entitlements
- Social security numbers
- Services available outside the U.S.
- Differences between services in the U.S. and outside
- How to contact the Regional Office in Manila directly for service
Information about Social Security issues can be found at www.ssa.gov. Individual inquires may be directed to the Social Security Office in Manila by e-mail to ssad.varo.manila@ssa.gov.
More information
Congressman Sensenbrenner visits Australia
31 May 2005
Congressman F. James Sensenbrenner, Jr., Chairman, House Judiciary Committee, visited Sydney, Canberra and Adelaide (May 29-June 3) under the auspices of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade to meet with Australian government officials. During his Canberra program he held a press availability on the new non-immigrant visa designated “E-3” which he spearheaded in the U.S. Congress. The new visa category is designed to facilitate two-way trade and business between Australia and the United States.
Christopher Hill visits Canberra
17-18 May 2005
Recently appointed Assistant Secretary for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Christopher R. Hill was in Canberra 17-18 May to meet with senior Australian Government officials and discuss a broad range of bilateral and regional issues.
More information
U.S. Navy pays a visit to Queensland
10 May 2005
USS Bonhomme-Richard (LHD 6) and guided-missile cruiser USS Milius (DDG 69) arrived in Brisbane for some eagerly awaited shore leave.
USS Bonhomme Richard is the flagship of the Expeditionary Strike Group 5. Other ships in the Group also visited Queensland; the amphibious ships USS Duluth (LPD 6) and USS Rushmore (LSD 47) arrived in Cairns, guided-missile cruiser USS Bunker Hill (CG 52) pulled into Townsville, and the guided-missile frigate USS Thach (FFG 43) called into McKay. The group are nearing the end of a 6 month deployment that has seen them involved in operations in the Persian Gulf and providing vital humanitarian assistance in Indonesia and Sri Lanka following the tsunami disaster.
For more information on the ships in ESG 5 and the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit you may like to visit the following websites:
Australia 2005: Blow Glass Down Under
March to April 2005
The Corning Museum of Glass (CMOG) Hot Glass Roadshow occupied a prime berth at the National Folk Festival in Canberra March 25-28, 2005. More than 40,000 visitors were entertained and educated by glass-blowing demonstrations which featured the Corning team, high profile local glass blowers and students from the Glass Workshop at the Australian National University School of Art.
A silent auction of the glasswork produced during the Festival raised over $4000 for a mobile dialysis unit in Canberra. Festival organizers said “it demonstrated the community spirit that lay at the center of the festival.”
For more information on the tour, visit the Corning Museum of Glass website at http://www.cmog.org/index.asp?pageId=1166.
Last update Monday, 7 April 2008
