Cipriani Wall Road was abuzz on Thursday evening as Australia’s most influential trans-Pacific energy gamers, media heavyweights and diplomatic celebrities descended on the American Australian Affiliation’s 2026 fundraising dinner in honor of Information Corp chief government Robert Thomson.
Hosted by former South Australian Prime Minister and Affiliation President Steven Marshall, the annual black-tie occasion featured a number of company, together with Rupert Murdoch and his son Lachlan, former Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott, US Ambassador to Australia beneath Barack Obama Jeffrey Bleich, now worldwide particular envoy to AI powerhouse Anthropic, and Australian diplomatic heavyweights Greg Moriarty and James Larsen.
The Murdochs, whose household hyperlinks to the Affiliation date again to its founding in 1948 by Rupert’s father, Sir Keith Murdoch, had been among the many most anticipated company of the night.
However the evening belonged to Thomson, CEO of Information Corp, who acquired the Lifetime Achievement Award.
Launched by Lachlan Murdoch, the veteran journalist and former Instances editor and Wall Road Journal editor was acknowledged for his extraordinary profession and contribution to Australia-US relations.
After which got here a reasonably particular musical second: Australian singer-songwriter Nick Cave took the stage to carry out.
The night additionally featured remarks from Consul Normal Heather Ridout AO, Dr Christopher Robinson from St Vincent’s Well being Australia and affiliation researcher Yasmin Zaman, whose pioneering work in house medication has showcased the subsequent technology of Australian expertise.
Ambassador Greg Moriarty mirrored on the alliance within the run-up to ANZUS’ seventy fifth anniversary, whereas Sarah Lipe and her band despatched company house with a spirited set of Australian classics.
Behind the champagne and the glamor lies a critical trigger. Since 2002, the Affiliation’s Training Fund has awarded greater than $19.6 million in scholarships to 1,194 rising leaders.