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AACC PresidentDawn Lillington
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Hello AACC Members and Friends,
What a wonderful month of summer it's been! I hope many of our members were able to experience the excitement of the FIFA World Cup, particularly the USA vs Paraguay match in Santa Clara. It was an incredibly special moment for Australia, and it was inspiring to see how proudly the Australian community turned out to support the Socceroos throughout the tournament. While it's hard to believe the campaign is now over, we can all reflect on what an unforgettable few weeks it was for football fans around the world.
Now, if we must move on, our attention turns to American football! The upcoming NFL game between the San Francisco 49ers and the Los Angeles Rams at the Melbourne Cricket Ground is shaping up to be a spectacular event. With a packed MCG expected, American fans are in for a truly unique experience, few stadiums anywhere in the world can match its scale and atmosphere. Go Niners!
This month we also farewell one of our longest-serving Board Directors, Helen Fairclough. Helen joined the Board more than a decade ago through her role at Chevron and has been an integral part of the Chamber's success ever since. She has generously volunteered countless hours, championed our events and initiatives, and has been a familiar face at Australian Galas over the years, where she was recognised with the Ambassador Bill Lane Spirit of Australia Award. Most recently, Helen played a key role in developing the Chamber's new strategic plan, leaving a strong foundation for the Board to implement over the coming years.
On a personal note, I would like to sincerely thank Helen for her friendship, guidance, and unwavering support. Now back in Melbourne, she is embarking on an exciting new chapter as an Executive Leadership Coach, and we wish her every success. In recognition of her outstanding contribution to the Australian American Chamber of Commerce, we are delighted to present Helen with a Lifetime Membership.
We're also pleased to welcome back Investment Victoria as a member and to reconnect with Victorian Commissioner Brett Stevens. We look forward to continuing to support Victoria's engagement across the Bay Area and strengthening the ties between our innovation ecosystems. We also extend a warm welcome to our newest members and thank them for joining the Chamber community.
Looking ahead, we have another exciting few months. Planning is already underway for what an Australia House could look like during San Francisco Tech Week, and we'd love to hear from members interested in participating. Whether you're a company looking to showcase Australian innovation or an individual keen to get involved, please reach out to Mel.
We're also kicking off preparations for the 2027 Australian Gala, and our planning committee is always looking for enthusiastic volunteers. If you'd like to help shape one of our flagship events, we'd love to hear from you. Be sure to save the date for February 6th 2027, more details will be announced soon.
Enjoy the rest of July, make the most of the summer holidays with family and friends, and I look forward to seeing many of you at our upcoming events.
Dawn
On behalf of the AACC Board |
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...FROM THE VICTORIA DESK IT'S 'SEE YA' NOT GOODBYE |
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AACC DirectorHelen Fairclough MAICD
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Hi everyone, As I sit down to write what will be my final From the Victoria Desk, it's hard to believe this journey began almost fifteen years ago. I became a member of the AACC in San Francisco in 2010, shortly after moving to California with Chevron. Two years later, I had the privilege of being elected to the Board. Since then, the years have passed quickly, and I've somehow ended up serving longer on the Board, and spending more time outside the United States, than I ever did while living there. It feels like the right time to hand over the baton. While Melbourne has once again become by home, the Chamber is at its best when it's led by people living and breathing life on the ground in the Bay Area. There is an incredible group of talented Australians stepping forward, and I'm excited to make room for the next generation of leaders to continue building on everything the AACC SF has achieved. |
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📆 Friday, August 14 🕘 10:00 am - 11:00 am 📍 Bluestone Lane, 55 2nd St, San Francisco, CA |
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📆 August 28 - 30 📍 White House Napa Valley 🎟️ $2,000 for two guests |
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A special experience designed for collectors. Think two nights of luxury accommodation, Michelin-caliber meals, library wines, and a program built entirely around the art of hospitality.
Enjoy a screening of The Pajama Game under the starts, a private visit to Beaulieu Vineyard, and a Frette Sanctuary Ceremony complete with your own pair of pajamas to take home.
This is more than a weekend away. It is an opportunity to step into the world of Penfolds with friends. |
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The Aussies showed up and brought the Down Under spirit to San Francisco Pride on Sunday June 28 🌈💛💚
It was a wonderful Team Australia initiative lead by Brendan McKenzie and Maia Keerie, showing true collaboration between distillery, Atlassian, the AACC and and our fabulous Ella Gunt.
🏆 We were thrilled to take home the award for 'Absolutely Joyful Musical Contingent' one of only 7 awards given out!
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Summer is here, and whether you're heading back to Australia for a break, travelling elsewhere, or staying put in San Francisco, it's a good time to stay across financial and legislative developments back home that may affect you as an Australian living overseas, particularly this year's proposed changes to CGT, superannuation, and property investment tax legislation.
To help you stay informed, we're sharing our educational podcast series covering topics that matter most to expats.
Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube.
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MAKING INTERNATIONAL PAYMENT SIMPLER |
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Whether you are buying or selling an overseas property, relocating abroad, transferring a pension or regularly sending money between countries, exchange-rate movements can make a significant difference to the amount you receive. Currencies Direct provides tailored international payment support, competitive exchange rates and access to a dedicated account manager. Our team can help you plan upcoming transfers, monitor the currency markets and explore ways to reduce the impact of exchange-rate fluctuations. You can also manage payments through our online platform and app. Speak to our team to learn how we can make your international money transfers simpler and more efficient.
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WEBINAR - HOW DOES THE US TAX SUPERANNUATION IN 2026? |
Tuesday, Aug 18th at 5:30pm PT Wednesday, Aug 19th at 10:30am in Brisbane/Sydney/Melbourne |
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Superannuation remains one of the most complex—and frequently misunderstood—aspects of cross-border financial planning for Australians living in the United States and Americans residing in Australia. With no direct recognition of superannuation in the U.S. tax code and evolving IRS interpretations, staying current on how these accounts are treated for U.S. tax purposes is critical.
In this session, Ashley Murphy, CFP®, GFP Fellow, will unpack how the U.S. taxes Australian superannuation accounts in 2026, drawing on the latest IRS positions, practitioner guidance, and court rulings. We’ll cover:
- How the U.S. classifies superannuation under U.S. tax law
- Current treatment of contributions, earnings, and withdrawals
- Key 2026 updates and policy developments affecting expats
- Strategies for minimizing double taxation and compliance pitfalls
Whether you’re an Australian expat filing in the U.S. or a U.S. advisor helping clients with cross-border assets, this webinar will provide a clear, practical framework for navigating the U.S. tax treatment of superannuation today.
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INTERNATIONAL WEEK SAN FRANCISCO | AUGUST 10 - 14 |
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San Francisco International Week 2026 celebrates what makes our city truly extraordinary, its global spirit! This annual platform brings together business leaders, trade partners, consulates, and community organizations to forge meaningful connections, advance cross-border commerce, and honor the vibrant international communities that define San Francisco. The AACC is proud to be an ecosystem partner for International Week. Check out the full list of events here, and some events from friends of the AACC the Japanese Chamber of Commerce of Northern California, and the San Francisco Filipino American Chamber of Commerce. |
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A MESSAGE FROM THE SF UNICORNS |
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While our 2026 MLC season came to a thrilling end in the Challenger match, we couldn't be prouder of the team - especially the massive performances from our Aussie stars, including Captain Matt Short’s incredible unbeaten 121 and Xavier Bartlett's stellar all-around effort. Despite falling just seven runs short of the final, we finished atop the regular-season standings and secured our third straight playoff appearance.
More than anything, we want to thank the Unicorns fans who showed up in full force and supported us through every high and low this season. Thank you to all our Aussie fans for your unwavering support! Stay tuned and look forward to more exciting cricket action coming to the Bay Area.
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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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JOIN OUR ONLINE COMMUNITY > |
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