DCM Clune Participates in the Sri Chinmoy World Harmony Run

Canberra — 12 May 2008

On Monday, May 12, Chargé d’ Affaires a.i. Dan Clune participated in the Sri Chinmoy World Harmony Run, carrying the torch in the 12.3km leg from the New South Wales border to Parliament House. Upon arriving at Parliament, Mr. Clune spoke to the gathered crowd about the Sri Chinmoy events he competed in while living in Chicago, Illinois. The 12.3km run was part of the more than 15,000km torch-relay around the border of Australia, which is taking place from April 27th to August 15th.

Conservation Volunteers and Embassy Community Plant Trees at Tidbinbilla

Canberra — 4 May 2008

On Sunday, May 4^th, over 40 members of the US Embassy community teamed up with Conservation Volunteers Australia to plant some 800 trees, shrubs and grasses at the Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve. The group enjoyed the beautiful day with their hands in the soil, and even helped to weed a large area of unwanted species and weeds. The event coincided with the American National Volunteer Week and will help to shape the landscape in the recently opened “Sanctuary” portion of the reserve.

Ambassador McCallum Visits the University of Wollongong

Wollongong — 1 May 2008

On Thursday, May 1^st, Ambassador McCallum and Mrs. McCallum visited the University of Wollongong. During the visit, the Ambassador and Mrs. McCallum met with University Vice-Chancellor Professor Gerard Sutton and staff from the University’s Centre for Transnational Crime Prevention. They participated in a meeting with students, including several of the over 300 American students who are currently studying at the University. The day concluded with a luncheon with Professor Sutton, Senator Connie Fierravanti-Wells, Member for Throsby Jennie George, and other guests.

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Ambassador McCallum Presents Medals to RAAF Forward Air Controllers

Canberra — 24 April 2008

On April 24, at the Chief of Mission Residence at the U.S. Embassy in Canberra, Ambassador McCallum presented United States Air Medals to former or the family of former Forward Air Controllers of the Royal Australian Air Force. These medals were awarded for the Forward Air Controllers’ service and innovation in Vietnam from 1964 to 1972.

Read Ambassador McCallum’s remarks from the medal presentation ceremony.

Ambassador McCallum Presents Medals to RAAF Heroes

Canberra — 4 April 2008

On April 4, at the Australian War Memorial, Ambassador McCallum presented more than 80 United States Air Medals to members or family of members of the 35th Squadron of the Royal Australian. These medals were awarded for the 35th Squadron’s participation, support, and heroism in Vietnam from 1964 to 1972. The 35th Squadron was the first Royal Australian Air Force unit to serve in Vietnam and the last to depart.

Read Ambassador McCallum’s remarks from the medal presentation ceremony.

Prime Minister Rudd Makes First Official Visit to Washington

28 March 2008 — Washington D.C.

On Friday, President Bush welcomed Prime Minister Rudd to the White House as part of the Prime Minister’s first official visit to the United States. The two leaders met on Friday morning and then held a joint press availability where both reiterated how strong our alliance is, and their confidence that our “alliance has a strong, robust future” and how our “friendship will strengthen and endure under the leadership of Kevin Rudd.” The pair also discussed the global economy and the Doha Round, the environment, and helping developing nations, as well as Iraq, to which the President expressed his appreciation of the Prime Minister as “somebody who does what he says he’s going to do.”

More information

• Transcript of Joint Press Availability with President Bush and Prime Minster Rudd
• Video of Joint Press Availability with President Bush and Prime Minister Rudd

U.S. – Australia Student Work and Travel Pilot Program

The Student Work and Travel Pilot Program announced by President Bush and Prime Minister Howard in September went into effect October 31, 2007.

The program, which allows American and Australian post-secondary students and recent graduates to work and travel in Australia or the U.S. for up to one year, further strengthens the cultural and personal ties between our two nations. Although Australia has similar arrangements with other countries, this is the first program of its kind for the United States.

Interested Australian participants must first secure sponsorship from an approved exchange organization. The U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs has initially approved the following sponsoring organizations:

• American Institute for Foreign Study, Inc.
• Camp Counselors USA/Work Experience USA
• Core Consulting Solutions, LLC.
• Council on International Educational Exchange
• Cultural Homestay International
• InterExchange, Inc.
• International Cultural Exchange Organization, Inc.
• International Exchange of North America, Inc.
• Life Adventures, Inc.
• Walt Disney World Co.

Further information on program sponsorship for the Student Work and Travel Pilot and other exchange visitor programs is available on the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs Website.

Please see our nonimmigrant visa page for general information on the U.S. visa application process, including how to apply for a U.S. visa in Australia.

Visa Chat: Non-Immigrant Visas

Wednesday, 2 April 2008

The chat on Non-Immigrant Visas is now concluded. Thank you to everyone who participated, and we hope that the session was helpful and informative to all! The full transcript of the session is now available.

AUSMIN 2008

Canberra — 22-23 February 2008

Top officials from the U.S. and Australian governments met in Canberra for the 2008 Australia–United States Ministerial (AUSMIN) Consultations and reaffirmed the strong bond between our two nations. The U.S. delegation, led by Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates and Deputy Secretary of State John Negroponte, and the Australian delegation, led by Minister for Defence Joel Fitzgibbon and Minister for Foreign Affairs Stephen Smith, met and pledged continued cooperation on common challenges, including proliferation and terrorism.

The AUSMIN consultations provide a valuable bilateral forum to discuss matters of foreign affairs, defense, and strategic matters.

More information

• U.S.–Australia Joint Communiqué
• IRC AUSMIN Resources
• IRC U.S.–Australia 2008 Resources

Ambassador McCallum Presents Ambassador’s Cup to Local Baseball Players

Canberra — 13 February 2008

The U.S. Embassy has a long and historical link to baseball in Australia. As a part of an ongoing program for youth and sports diplomacy, Ambassador and Mrs. McCallum joined Major League Baseball Australia’s director Tom Nicholson and over seventy participants from the ACT Baseball Association’s Play Ball program to present the annual Ambassador’s Cup. The Cup was initiated in 2004 by Ambassador Tom Schieffer, who was part owner of the Texas Rangers baseball team with President Bush.

The Play Ball program is designed to increase participation by Canberra’s young ballplayers through local schools and baseball clubs. This year’s winner was the Ainslie/Gungahlin Bears, coached by Peter Soskin.

Ambassador and Mrs. McCallum recounted stories of playing baseball in their youth and the game’s role in the United States as the “National Pastime.” Ambassador McCallum thanked the organizers for putting on a quality program, and congratulated all of the young ballplayers for “giving it a go and trying something new.” “I hope you’ve learned a little something about sportsmanship, fair play, and teamwork,” said the Ambassador, “and most of all, I hope you had fun!”

“Doors to Diplomacy” – 2008 Web Project Competition for Middle School and High School Students

Canberra — 7 November 2007

The Department of State and the Global SchoolNet Foundation announce the 2008 "Doors to Diplomacy" award competition, recognizing the student-created Global SchoolNet Web projects that best teach others about the importance of international affairs and diplomacy.

To qualify, middle school and high school students will work in small teams with teacher-coaches. Projects must be completed by March 15, 2008, and winners will be announced in May 2008. Every team that enters a project will receive a special "Doors to Diplomacy" certificate recognizing their achievement. Each student member of the two winning teams – one American and one international – will also receive a $2,000 scholarship, and the winning coaches’ schools will each receive a $500 cash award.

For a complete description and information about eligibility and judging criteria, visit http://globalschoolnet.org/gsndoors/.

Embassy News and Notices

• The U.S. Embassy in Canberra will be closed on Monday, 26 May 2008, to observe Memorial Day.

Consular News

• As of Monday, September 24, 2007, you must make an appointment via our website to be allowed entry into the consular section for routine (non emergency) services. You will need to bring evidence of an existing appointment in order to be permitted access to the Consulate.

  Please follow the instructions for the particular service you require. You will find the link to making an appointment in the instructions.

  If the particular service you need does not require a personal appearance at the Consulate, you will be instructed to submit your application by mail.

  Please note: If you are collecting your passport you are not required to make an appointment. Instead, please come on or after the day listed on your collection slip and present the collection slip and a photo ID.

• Public Announcement - Worldwide Caution (17 January 2008)
• China Travel Alert (15 May 2008)
• Travel Warning: East Timor (15 February 2008)
• Avian Influenza information
• U.S. Consular Services in Australia - Find the Consulate for your region