2012 will be looked back upon as a ground-breaking year for the ACAA, with a number of significant milestones being reached and strong foundations for future growth planted.

 

At the start of the year the ACAA proudly boasted some 5,800 alumni members from across all 38 Australian universities. Now as the final few months of the year approach, we are happy to announce that the association is on track to reach 7,800 alumni – tremendous growth in just 12 months and a great achievement for a “start-up” organization founded just five years ago.

 

A large part of the success over the last year can be attributed to the growing support the ACAA receives from its partners. In 2012, we were joined by an additional five new partner universities, and alongside the continued support of our long time partners, we now work with 10 Gold and 19 Silver Partner Universities, comprising 75 percent of all Australian universities.

 

We are also grateful for the continued support of several Australian government departments (Austrade, Australian Education International, and the Dept. of Foreign Affairs & Trade) and we have been working to expand our corporate links, both by working more closely with the various AustCham branches, and by building direct links with sponsors and employers. In doing so, we hope to ensure that Australian Alumni are the most supported and best connected group of individuals in China.

 

With strong growth across the board in 2012, we expect another year of exciting new initiatives in 2013. We hope to bring our members on going benefits, provide you all with more job and development opportunities and help you meet up with old friends and connect with some new contacts along the way.

 

Keep in touch, spread the word and we hope to see you at the ACAA Christmas party events soon!

 

Awards Wrap Up

 

The 2012 ACAA / IELTS Australia China Alumni Awards were held in September and this year’s ceremony was officially the
largest and most successful awards yet! Just under 300 guests attended the Gala presentation evening that saw nine very deserving winners claim the this year’s prizes.

 

We’d like to again congratulate all the winners, as well as congratulating all the finalists and all those who nominated. Each year the judges have the almost impossible task of choosing a winner from a group of individuals that all deserve recognition for their achievements, generous donations of time and/or money and tireless work in building connections between Australia and China.

 

The Australia China Alumni Awards are only able to exist as a result of the never ending pool of brilliant people that nominate every year. To all Australian Alumni, the awards are for you, and we hope to see many more of you up on stage in years to come. A big thanks also to all our sponsors – IELTS, Business Events Sydney, CPA Australia, Meat & Livestock Australia, Oroton, Australia China Connections, and our Australian government partners too!

*Pictured: Highlights of the 2012 ACAA Alumni Awards, held in Shanghai in September.

Alumni BBQ with the Ambassador

 

In September the Australian Ambassador to China, Frances Adamson, warmly opened the doors to her home and invited a mixed group of 40 Alumni to partake in an Australian inspired BBQ on the terrace of The Residence. The event brought together past Alumni Award winners, 2012 finalists and winners and other Alumni leaders in their field. The relaxed and friendly event was blessed by perfect weather and thoroughly enjoyed by all who attended and it was a great opportunity to meet many of the new faces that the ACAA has “discovered” over the last 12 months.

 

On behalf of all attendees, the ACAA would like to thank the Ambassador and the Australian Embassy for hosting the evening and we look forward to a game of backyard cricket at the residence next summer!

 

*For more information on the Australia China Alumni Association, visit: www.austchinaalumni.org