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AACC PresidentDawn Lillington
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Hello AACC Members and Friends,
It’s been a quieter month externally, but full of planning and momentum as we head into a busy period of meetings, events, and engagement.
Firstly, last month we farewelled Ambassador Rudd, and we are pleased to welcome Ambassador Greg Moriarty in mid-April as he officially steps into his role as Australian Ambassador to the United States. Ambassador Moriarty joins us from his position as Secretary of the Department of Defence.
There’s a great deal to look forward to in the coming months:
- You’ll see details below for an elevated Penfolds Masterclass Dinner in San Mateo, featuring Penfolds 707 Cabernet Sauvignon, known as the “Baby Grange”, paired with a seven-course tasting menu.
- ANZAC Remembrance remains one of our most important ceremonies of the year. This year we will host it at a new venue in San Francisco, with over 100 guests already confirmed, including strong support from Australian veterans and our partners.
- The AACC is also supporting Austrade’s Climate Panel during SF Climate Week, an excellent opportunity to connect with like-minded leaders in the space.
Looking ahead, we’re excited to support the Socceroos in their 2026 FIFA World Cup™️ campaign. The team will be hosted in Alameda/Oakland at the home of the Oakland Roots and Oakland Soul. There will be several ways for the community to get involved, starting with the Aussie-themed game at the Oakland Coliseum on June 17. While the Socceroos won’t be playing, the event will celebrate all things Australian. The Roots are eager to engage the Australian community, if you or your organization are interested in participating, check out what is lined up here, and please reach out.
A message from Austrade:
The Consulate has recently become aware of proposed legislation in the California State Assembly (Assembly Bill 1790), which would eliminate the “water’s-edge” election in California’s tax code for multinational corporations.
We are reaching out to members of the Australian business community to understand:
- Awareness of this proposal
- Potential impacts on current or future operations in California
- Whether it may influence investment decisions, either directly or across broader networks
AB 1790 is scheduled to be heard in committee on April 27, with position letters due by April 20 for consideration at that hearing. There will be additional opportunities for stakeholder input as the legislative process progresses.
Wishing you a great month ahead, and I look forward to connecting with many of you soon.
Cheers,
Dawn
On behalf of the AACC Board |
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📆 Friday, April 17 🕘 10:00am - 11:00am 📍 Bluestone Lane, 55 2nd St, San Francisco, CA 94105 |
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THE UNFAIR ADVANTAGE OF AUSTRALIAN INNOVATION SF CLIMATE WEEK |
📆 Wednesday, April 22 🕘 5:00pm - 7:00pm 📍 Mindspace Coworking, San Francisco |
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📆 Saturday, April 25 🕘 10:00am - Service 📍 Marines' Memorial Club & Hotel, 609 Sutter St, San Francisco CA 94102 |
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📆 Thursday, May 21 🕘 5:30pm - 8:30pm 📍 Palette Tea Garden, Hillsdale Mall, San Mateo, CA 94403 🎟️ AACC Members $130 | Non-members $150 |
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Penfolds, the AACC, and British American Business Council invite you to an exclusive dinner celebration honoring Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage Month. Enjoy a spectacular multi-course menu at Palette Tea Garden, with each dish thoughtfully paired to complement the power and elegance of the Penfolds House Style. |
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AURA VENTURES: BACKING THE AUSTRALIAN FOUNDERS MAKING THE LEAP TO THE US |
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Pictured: Haast founders Kunal Vankadar and Liam King. |
At this year's AACC SF Gala, Aura Ventures was announced as the founding partner of LEAP: a new initiative dedicated to helping Australian founders and investors break into the US market. This week's news is a glimpse into why.
Haast, an AI-powered enterprise compliance platform backed by Aura Ventures, just closed a $12 million Series A alongside Peak XV Partners, DST Global Partners and others. Founded in Sydney and now operating across San Francisco and New York, Haast has come a long way since their pre-seed raise with Aura in 2022 — now, landing Fortune 500 customers globally.
This is the kind of founder LEAP is built around - and the kind of outcome we believe the Australian ecosystem is capable of.
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FROM ROCK BANDS TO BREAKTHROUGHS: QUEENSLAND TALENT LEADING AT EMI |
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Pictured: Dr Scott Patterson at the 2025 AACC Australian Gala with Alita Singer and Dave Brown. |
Bay Area–based Australian scientist Dr Scott Patterson is bringing decades of global biopharma leadership to his latest role at the Ellison Medical Institute (EMI), where he is advancing cutting-edge biomarker and translational science to accelerate patient impact. Patterson’s career spans some of the world’s leading life sciences companies, including senior roles at Gilead Sciences, Amgen and Celera, where he helped drive innovations in precision medicine, diagnostics and drug development. His work has consistently focused on bridging early discovery with real-world clinical outcomes, positioning him at the forefront of modern translational medicine. A proud Queenslander and University of Queensland alumnus, Patterson’s journey is anything but conventional - beginning in rock bands before rising to global scientific leadership in the Bay Area. Now appointed a Trade and Investment Queensland Global Connector (2024), he continues to champion Queensland internationally, strengthening ties between North America and Australia’s world-class research and innovation ecosystem. |
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RATTLESNAKES ARE RISING: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW THIS SPRING |
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An early-season heat wave has brought rattlesnakes out sooner than usual, increasing the risk of encounters on local trails and even in suburban areas. While bites are rare and rarely fatal with prompt medical care, understanding how to prevent, recognize, and respond to a rattlesnake bite is essential. Dr. Alan Spira outlines key facts, including where bites most often occur, what symptoms to watch for, and what to do in an emergency. With simple precautions and awareness, most incidents are entirely preventable, helping you stay safe while enjoying the outdoors this season.
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ASIAN AMERICAN & PACIFIC ISLANDER HERITAGE MONTH |
Every May, San Francisco celebrates Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage Month with citywide events, cultural performances, art, food, and community gatherings.
Check out the 100+ community-led events. |
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Exclusive deals and discounts from fellow AACC members - just for you. |
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20% off your first year with The Village Doctor |
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At The Village Doctor, we’ve built something different. Each of our physicians cares for a small community of patients - about 100, not 2,500 - so there’s time to listen, think, and truly care. Visits are as short or as long as they need to be. Same-day appointments are the norm. Your doctor knows you, your family, your story.
We care for everyone from infants, to elders, often across generations, so your care is connected, personal, and continuous. It’s not just about treating illness - it’s about achieving wellness, together. |
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JOIN OUR ONLINE COMMUNITY > |
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