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Ken Mayer appeared via DVC to discuss the election to packed rooms in Canberra, Perth and Sydney.

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Ken Mayer appeared via DVC to discuss the election to packed rooms in Canberra, Perth and Sydney.

Understanding the Obama Victory

Canberra, Perth, Sydney — 14 November 2008

Political scientist Ken Mayer from the University of Wisconsin recently shared his analysis of Senator Barack Obama’s election victory in digital conferences with audiences in Canberra, Sydney and Perth. In a program titled “The Race to the White House — It is Over! How did Obama Win? And Why?” Mayer talked about the factors that led to an Obama victory. Professor Mayer had previously been in Australia as the inaugural Fulbright Distinguished Chair of U.S. Politics at the Australian National University. More than 100 government leaders, students and academics attended the sessions.

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Prime Minister Rudd addresses the group of Fulbright scholars and alumni. Embassy photo by Adam P. Wilson.

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Prime Minister Rudd addresses the group of Fulbright scholars and alumni.

Keeping Fulbright Connection Strong

Canberra — 12 November 2008

Ambassador Robert McCallum joined with Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd in recognizing the important role of Fulbright Scholarships in nurturing the strong relationship between the two countries at a reception at the Ambassador’s residence in November. The two serve as honorary co-chairs of the Australian-American Fulbright Commission.

Among those attending the event were alumni of the program, current scholars and members of the various selection committees. More than 5,000 Australians and Americans have participated in the exchange program since it began nearly 40 years ago.

For more on the Fulbright program see the Australian-American Fulbright Commission website.

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Ambassador McCallum addresses the packed hall watching the election results come in. Embassy photo by Adam P. Wilson.

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Ambassador McCallum addresses the packed hall watching the election results come in.

Americans and Australians Join to Watch Election Results

Canberra — 5 November 2008

Under red, white and blue streamers and balloons, Australians joined with Americans to watch the vote totals come in for U.S. president at special Election Watch events in Canberra, Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, Brisbane, Adelaide and Darwin. Ambassador Robert McCallam was among those attending the Election Watch in Canberra.

U.S. Embassy Statement on the Elections

Americans have once again exercised their democratic rights in a free and open election that saw the selection of Senator Barack Obama as our 44^th president.

We fully expect that the new Administration, which assumes office January 20, 2009, will continue America’s close partnership with Australia. Ours is a relationship based upon common national interests and shared democratic values. It is one that has existed and flourished regardless of which party has held office in Washington or Canberra.

We look forward to continuing to working with Australia to address the great challenges of our day.

Consular Officers Visit Brisbane in November

Brisbane — 5 November 2008

During the first week of November, Sydney Consular Officer Chris Kjelland and Consular Assistant Lisa Youssef provided consular services to over 180 Queensland residents and their families in outreach visits to Northern New South Wales and Brisbane. With the kind cooperation of the Macarthur Museum in Brisbane, Chris and Lisa assisted Queenslanders with their passport applications, birth registrations, and other U.S. citizenship services.

Chris hosted an election watch party on November 5th with Members of Parliament, business and community leaders and members of the Diplomatic Corps, who all joined in watching the results. Chris also met with young Australians from the University of Queensland who are preparing for exchange programs in the United States.

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CG Fergin with students at Mossman State School in Cape York.

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CG Fergin with students at Mossman State School in Cape York.

Exchanging Ideas in Cape York

Canberra — 3 November 2008

Consul General Judith Fergin of Sydney visits with students at Mossman State School during a recent trip to the Cape York region in Queensland to learn more about welfare reform projects. The Consul General got a briefing on various income management and education projects managed by the Cape York Partnerships. She also met with Fulbright scholar Sharon Bonython Erickson of Queensland.