Friends of Australia
Transcription
Friends of Australia
Friends of Australia Our Friends Adam Liaw Jamie Durie Nicky Wu Adam Scott Jason Edwards Olivia Ong Akira Isogawa Jay Laga’aia Paul Roos Andre Chiang Jerry Yan Perez Hilton Andy Ridley Jessi Miley-Dyer Pete Evans Ann Sherry John Bertrand Peter FitzSimons Antonia Kidman John Fitzgerald Peter Gago Anthony “Harries” Carroll John Laws Peter Gilmore Archie Roach John Williamson Peter Morrissey Aun Koh Johnny Jet Peter Walsh Barton Lynch John Polson Pornsak Prajakwit Baz Luhrmann Jotica Sehgal Rainie Yang Bill Granger Jules Lund Reg Mombassa (Chris O’Doherty) Bowie Wong Julia Morris Rhoda Roberts Brett Lee Julien Royer Richard Branson Bruce Hopkins Justin Jones and James Castrission Robert ‘Dipper’ DiPierdomenico Justin North Sally Dominguez Karen Mok Sanjeev Kapoor Kathy Lette Kelly Landry Sarah-Jane Clarke and Heidi Middleton Kieren Perkins Sean Connolly Kristian Chong Shannon Bennett Kurt Fearnley Show Lo (LO,CHIH-HSIANG) Kym Ellery Sia Tze Foo (Kenny) Larissa Brown Simon Dale Liao Min (Maggie Liao) Sonny Vandevelde Lisbeth Gorr Sophie Falkiner Lizzy Lovette Stefano Manfredi Louise Sauvage Stephen Jones Luke Hayes-Alexander Steve Liebmann Luke Mangan Su-Lyn Tan Luke Nguyen Tan Hui Ling (Ringo) Maggie Beer Tara Moss Maggie Tabberer Terri Irwin Marcia Hines Tim Olsen Mark Olive Tim Webster The Married Men Tom Colicchio Matt Moran Tony Howell Matthew Jukes Toshio Shiba Matt Stone Valeska Dominguez Michael Caton Vince Frost George Negus Michael Hill Smith The Wiggles Gillian Corban and Amanda Blair Michael Moore William Barton Michael O’Loughlin Wong Cho Lam Grasshopper (草蜢) Michelle Bridges Wong Wing Chi (黃永熾) Greg Grainger Natalie Gruzlewski Yasmin Sewell Guy Grossi Neil Perry Zhang Jin Peng Iva Davies Nicholas Tse Zoe Naylor Callan McAuliffe Camilla Franks Cathy Freeman Catriona Rowntree Chef Wan Cheryl Barker Claire Newell Collette Dinnigan Curtis Stone Danny Clayton Darcey Bussell Dave Thornton David Whitehill Dick Smith Donna Hay’ Ekin Cheng Electrico Ellen Fullerton Emma Matthews Erica Angyal Eugene Tan Evonne Goolagong Cawley Fleur Wood Gai Waterhouse Gail Elliott Geoff Huegill Robert Pennicott Adam Liaw Adam Liaw is a cook, TV presenter and author, best known as the winner of MasterChef Australia 2010. Adam’s triumph on the hit show still remains the #1 most watched non-sporting event in Australian television history. Adam was born in Malaysia before moving to Australia at a young age. He has lived and worked around the world including China, Australia, Malaysia, New Zealand, India and most recently a 7-year stint in Tokyo, Japan. His eclectic upbringing and life experiences have given Adam a passion for authentic Asian cuisine. Adam Scott Adam Scott is an Australian professional golfer, currently ranked as the World’s Number One golfer, who plays mainly on the PGA Tour. He has won 27 professional tournaments around the world. His biggest achievement to date has been the 2013 Masters Tournament – his first major championship and the first Masters won by an Australian in its 77 year history. Akira Isogawa Akira is one of Australia’s most celebrated clothing designers, having received international recognition for his contemporary designs. Born in Kyoto Japan, Akira moved to Australia in 1986 where he studied fashion design at the Sydney Institute of Technology, drawing inspiration from contemporary Japanese design. Andre Chiang Singapore based celebrity chef Andre Chiang has established a significant reputation in the Singapore culinary scene and is best known for using only the freshest seasonal produce. His popular restaurant, Restaurant Andre was recently listed in New York Times as one of the ‘Top 10 Restaurants in the World Worth a Plane Trip’ and he has been named one of the world’s best young chefs by Wallpaper magazine. Andre has played an important role in promoting Australian food and wine experiences to the Singapore market, and has recently participated in the Noosa Food & Wine Festival and the Crave Sydney Food Festival. Friends of Australia Reference Booklet 2014 4 Andy Ridley Andy is the Executive Director of Earth Hour – the global climate change campaign held in more than 370 locations municipalities around the world. Originally from the UK, Andy now resides in Sydney. A committed environmentalist, Andy enjoys bush walking, diving, music and film. Ann Sherry Ann is the CEO of Carnival Australia in 2007, one of the largest vacation companies in the world. She is a great advocate of tourism in Australia and a forward thinker in HR and workplace equality. Former CEO of Westpac New Zealand; and the Bank of Melbourne and Group Executive, People & Performance; Ann was awarded an Order of Australia for her corporate contributions to the Australian community. Antonia Kidman Antonia Kidman is a TV Presenter, producer, journalist, author and media personality, currently based in Singapore. She is a mother of five, and an ambassador for Australian women promoting a healthy, balanced lifestyle. Over the past decade, Antonia has tackled a diverse range of roles, from much loved media host to magazine columnist and women’s ambassador. She has hosted a number of programmes through Foxtel including ‘The Cover’, and also hosted and produced ‘From Here to Maternity’ and ‘The Little Things’. Anthony “Harries” Carroll Harries is one of the fun loving surf lifesavers on Channel Ten’s Bondi Rescue. He is an eccentric prankster on the hit show and spends his time between the beautiful Sydney beaches of Bondi and Bronte. Harries also enjoys training surf lifesaving “nippers” and educating children about surf safety, whilst also promoting our fun beach culture. Friends of Australia Reference Booklet 2014 5 Archie Roach Archie is an award-winning, Indigenous musician and songwriter, who has overcome significant hurdles including homelessness and alcoholism, to achieve international accolades for his work. Born at Framlingham Aboriginal Mission, Warrnambool in South Western Victoria, Archie was removed from his family at an early age as part of the ‘Stolen Generation’ and placed into foster care. In 1990 Archie recorded his first album with the help of Paul Kelly. Following its release it was awarded two ARIA awards, named one of the US Rolling Stone’s Top 50 albums for 1992 and achieved gold status in Australia. Archie also became the first songwriter to be awarded a Human Rights Award. Aun Koh Aun Koh is a Singaporean blogger, best known for his widely-read food blog, Chubby Hubby. Aun was previously a magazine editor, journalist and photographer who has worked and lived in New York, Paris, Hong Kong and Singapore. Between 1999 and 2002, he founded and was Editorial Director of East, Asia’s only regional lifestyle monthly magazine. Aun, who worked as an artist after graduating university, also spent two amazing years (2004-2006) running the visual and literary arts divisions for the National Arts Council Singapore. Aun is currently an Executive Director of Southeast Asia’s premier lifestyle and communications group, The Ate Group. He is also a member of the San Pellegrino World’s 50 Best Restaurants’ jury as well as the co-founder of Asia’s only independent, regional restaurant guide, The Miele Guide to Asia’s Finest Restaurants. Barton Lynch Barton Lynch spent more than 15 years as one of the top 16 surfers in the world and won the World Title in 1988. Barton mentors, coaches and trains hundreds of surfers of all levels including many of the countries aspiring champions. In 2006 he launched Barton Lynch’s Blast Off, Australia’s premiere p re-junior surfing event and coaching program. Baz Luhrmann Baz Luhrmann grew up in rural NSW and has gone onto become one of Hollywood’s most respected and successful film directors. After pursuing a career in Australian film and television, Luhrmann went on to make Strictly Ballroom, Romeo + Juliet, Moulin Rouge and recent epic, Australia, and is currently filming The Great Gatsby. Friends of Australia Reference Booklet 2014 6 Bill Granger Bill is one of Australia’s most successful chefs, restauranteurs and food writers. The owner of Bills restaurants in Sydney and Bills Café in Tokyo, he recently opened Granger +Co in Notting Hill, UK. Bill has released over 6 best selling cookbooks and a TV series called Bills Food which has aired in Australia and the UK. Bowie Wong Bowie Wong is a Hong Kong born Australian fashion and stage designer. As the son of a Chinese opera singer, Bowie spent his childhood surrounded by his mother’s elaborate costumes, which sparked his interest in design and fashion at an early age. He studied fashion in Japan and worked in Canada before choosing Australia as the place to call home and establish his high-class luxury fashion brand BOWIE. Brett Lee Brett Lee is a world renowned Australian cricketer and one of the most dynamic fast bowlers of recent cricket history. Having recently retired from International cricket, Brett’s career highlights include the Bradman Young Cricketer of the Year 2000, Wisden Cricketer of the Year 2006, Australian Test Player of the Year 2008 and the prestigious Allan Border Medal 2008. While most people know Brett as a cricketer, Brett has many interests outside of cricket including music and fashion and in particular his love of India. In May 2011 Brett launched the charity Mewsic, opening the first of many planned community music centres ensuring that marginalised children in India have the opportunity to experience the joy and power of music. Bruce Hopkins Bruce is the longest serving lifeguard at Bondi Beach and has been there for a term of 15 years. He has been a keen surfer since the age of six and completed a large amount of rescues, saving many lives and resuscitating people whose heart and breathing have stopped completely. In 2006 he won the Australian Lifeguard of the year award, and recently picked up 2 gold medals at the Australian Surf Lifesaving titles. Bruce also stars in the hit television program Bondi Rescue. Friends of Australia Reference Booklet 2014 7 Callan McAuliffe Callan McAuliffe is a talented young Australian actor, who has received praise in Australia and overseas for various roles in theatre, film and television. Callan is originally from Sydney, and divides his time between Sydney and Los Angeles to study and perform. Callan is currently working with Baz Luhrmann on the epic film The Great Gatsby, where he will star alongside Leonardo di Caprio and Toby Maguire as the young Gatsby. Callan has enjoyed critical acclaim for his role in the Steven Spielburg/ Michael Bay Dreamworks blockbuster I Am Number Four and Rob Reiner’s Flipped. He has also appeared in numerous Australian television shows including the Australian mini-series Cloudstreet, as well as Packed to the Rafters, Comedy Inc and Blue Water High. Camilla Franks Since launching her label seven years ago, Camilla Franks continues to be internationally recognised as a designer who has a unique approach to creating colourful, playful and luxurious lifestyle fashion statements. With an ever growing list of celebrity fans including Oprah Winfrey, Lily Allen, Kim Cattrall, Fergie, Beyonce and Gwen Stefani who have all embraced her creations. Camilla is a brand on the move. Cathy Freeman Cathy Freeman is a former Australian Olympic sprinter who cemented Australia’s place in sporting history when she won the women’s 400 metres at the 2000 Summer Olympic Games in Sydney, an iconic event at which she also lit the Olympic flame. Born in Mackay, Queensland, Freeman retried from athletics in 2003 and now spends her time involved in charitable and community activities supporting Indigenous education. Catriona Rowntree Catriona is widely known as “Australia’s Most Travelled Woman” having presented Australia’s favourite travel show Getaway for the past 15 years. In addition to her TV roles, Catriona has been able to utilise her passion for community work as the Patron of the Arnotts Foundation, Ambassador for OCRF, Mission Australia and Phillip Island Penguins. In her spare time Catriona enjoys spending time with her family. Friends of Australia Reference Booklet 2014 8 Chef Wan A Malaysian accountant turned multi-talented celebrity chef, Chef Wan has become of Asia’s biggest household names. Chef Wan has over 20 years experience hosting cooking shows all over the world and publishing several of cookbooks, but he is also known for being an actor, talk-show host, rock star, comedian, lecturer and food ambassador for Malaysian cuisine. Chef Wan has developed a very high profile in Malaysia and received several international awards, including the Lifetime Jury Award at the “Le Mazille Prix” 2007 Gourmand. He has cooked for many famous personalities, including the Sultan of Brunei and the former U.S. President, Bill Clinton. He currently hosts his own TV show, Expedisi, a cooking and travel program on the Asian Good Food Channel watched by over one million people per episode. Cheryl Barker Australian born Cheryl Barker has established a distinguished opera and concert career throughout the UK, Europe, USA and Australia. She is particularly noted for her interpretations of Puccini’s heroines, as well as the works of Mozart, Janacek, Strauss and Verdi. Recent and future plans include performances for Opera Australia (Madama Butterfly, Manon Lescaut, Tosca, Marschallin – role debut), Netherlands Opera (Emilia Marty), Bastille/Paris (Butterfly) and English National Opera (Miss Jessel). She holds an honorary Doctorate of Music/Victorian College of the Arts. Claire Newell Travel Expert Claire Newell provides the information and tips to enable people to travel, connect and discover. Claire has appeared on various US TV and radio shows and is the official travel consultant for Global TV. She has been a spokesperson for Disney’s www.family.com, featured in promotions for the Vancouver International Airport and the Canadian Tourism Commission. Claire has authored or been featured in articles for Success, Professional Woman, Today’s Parent, Readers Digest and for various newspapers. She is the best selling author of Travel Best Bests – An Insider’s Guide to Taking Your Best Trips, Ever and has just finished her second book. This wife and mother or two has recently launched two lines of luggage & travel accessories, the Claire Newell Travel Collection and C. Newell Travel Essentials. Collette Dinnigan Born in South Africa, Collette Dinnigan is an Australian based fashion designer. She opened her own range in 1992, and was the first Australian to launch a ready-to-wear collection in Paris in 1995. Friends of Australia Reference Booklet 2014 9 Curtis Stone Curtis Stone is a celebrity chef and presenter that has had great success overseas. He was trained in London by legendary chef Marco Pierre White. He is presenter of the globally successful cooking/lifestyle program, Surfing the Menu, and has one of America’s most popular reality/ cooking shows titled, Take Home Chef. Danny Clayton As one of Australia’s most talented video jockey’s, Danny Clayton was handpicked by music station Channel [V] while he was still at school. Danny’s natural charisma and larrikin disposition, combined with his knowledge and love of music, make him a key influencer among Channel [V] viewers and musicians alike. Throughout the six years he’s been with Channel [V], Danny has toured Australia numerous times, covering some of the country’s biggest festivals including Big Day Out, Homebake, Splendour in the Grass and Good Vibrations, also presenting two series of B430, Channel [V]’s youth lifestyle show. Darcey Bussell Darcey is an English dancer and former prima ballerina of The Royal Ballet who is considered one of the greatest English ballerinas of all time. Darcey has always had great ties and passions for Australia as she was raised here and has recently immigrated to Sydney with her Australian born husband, Angus Forbes. In December 1990 she was voted Dancer of the Year by the readers of Dance and Dancers magazine. In 1990 she was presented with the Evening Standard Ballet Award for 1990. In 1991 she was a joint winner of the Cosmopolitan Achievement Award in the Performing Arts category. Dave Thornton With his accessible humour and free flowing style, Dave’s success as a comic has quickly broadened into a range of performance credits on TV, radio and stage. Starting from humble beginnings hosting Channel 31’s live chat show Studio A Dave has gone on to appear as a panelist on Good News Week, Talkin’ ‘bout Your Generation and The 7pm Project. Friends of Australia Reference Booklet 2014 10 David Whitehill From training dolphins at Sea World’s Dolphin Pools to hosting an International Travel Show, David Whitehill seems to have done it all. After being crowned Cleo Magazine’s Bachelor of the Year in 2002, David has pursued a successful career in TV hosting shows such as Hot Source, Queensland Escapes, Mornings with Kerri-Anne and So Fresh. David has also been engaged as the ‘Face of Sea World Australia’, and the co-host of Qantas’ Welcome Aboard Program. David is currently in production of a brand new television program which combines his love for marine wildlife and Australian travel. Dick Smith One of Australia’s most successful businessmen, aviator, film-maker and explorer, Dick Smith hot-air ballooned from New Zealand to Australia, and embarked upon the first ever solo helicopter flight around the world. Founder of Dick Smith Foods in 1999, Dick is passionate about Australian interests and developing business within the nation. Dick has an international profile and is an Australian icon. Donna Hay Donna Hay is Australia’s leading food editor and best-selling cookbook author. Her food, recipes and styling focus on basic ingredients, simple preparation and beautiful photographs. She is the editor of Donna Hay magazine which has subscribers in 82 countries. Hay is the author of 18 award-winning cookbooks that have been translated into nine languages. Friends of Australia Reference Booklet 2014 11 Ekin Cheng Ekin Cheng is a Hong Kong actor and Cantopop singer. Cheng began acting in commercials when he was in high school, the most well-known being for Hi-C Lemon Tea. From there, he continued to be the host for a children’s afternoon show and starred in several television series for Television Broadcast Limited (TVB). In 1992, Cheng signed BMGrecords and released his first album “Don’t Cry” and in the same year he made his first movie “Girls Without Tomorrow”. Cheng held his first concert “My Best Show” in 1995 and in the same year he released the first movie of the “Young and Dangerous” series, which launched him into super stardom. In June 2008, Cheng together with Shawn Yue won best actor at the 12 Annual Puchon International Film Festival for the horror flick “Rule #1”. Apart from singing and acting, Cheng also published a book, directed a short film clip and composed several songs. Cheng is currently ranked the 5th bestselling male actor in Hong Kong with total box office of HKD5,311, 959,74 between 1985 to 2005. Electrico This Singaporean indie rock band, comprised of Dave Tan, Desmond Goh and William Lim Jr, have been credited for reviving their local indie music scene since their inception in 2003. While being the first Singaporean band to receive a nomination at the 2005 MTV Asia Awards, they received awards in their home country at the COMPASS (Composers & Authors Society of Singapore) awards. Ellen Fullerton Ellen is a rising swimming champion who achieved extraordinary results at the junior level which culminated in her breaking the Australian Age record in the 200m Individual Medley at the 2008 World Junior Titles in Mexico. In 2007 Ellen also recorded the highest medal tally at the Australian Age Nationals with 3 gold, 5 silver and 3 bronze. Friends of Australia Reference Booklet 2014 12 Emma Matthews Emma is one of Australia’s leading sopranos. She is the recipient of three Helpmann Awards, five Green Room Awards and the 1999 Remy Martin Opera Award. Currently, Emma is a principal artist with Opera Australia. She made her debut with the company in 1993 as Damigella in L’incoronazione di Poppea. Her subsequent performances include the roles of Angelica in Orlando, Rosina in The Barber of Seville and Zdenka in Arabella. Erica Angyal Erica Angyal is a nutritionist, health consultant, speaker, and author of five books on health and beauty. Born in Sydney Australia, Erica graduated from the Sydney University of Technology in 2000 with a Bachelor of Health Science in Acupuncture. Now based in Japan, Erica has been the official nutritionist to Miss Universe Japan since 2004 and has been featured in a myriad of newspapers and magazines, ranging from Nikkei Health and The Japan Times, to Vogue and Elle Japon. Her bestseller, “Sekai 1 No Bijo Ni Naru Diet” was rated the No. 1 Food book in 2009 by Japan’s International Food and Culture Association, and was the first ever diet book in Japan to hit the No. 1 ranking on ORICON. Erica has been featured extensively on all major Japanese Television channels, including NHK, Fuji TV’s Mezamashi and Tokudane, TBS’s Osama Brunch, NTV’s enormously popular “Sekai 1 uketai jugyou” and TV Asahi’s “Tetsuko no Heya”. Eugene Tan Eugene is a surfer who founded the highly popular Aquabumps blog, including a daily eZine with images and surf reports from Bondi Beach and other iconic beach destinations around Australia. The daily email now has over 30,000 subscribers with a large percentage of these people based overseas. Evonne Goolagong Cawley Evonne is a former World No. 1 Australian female tennis player. She was one of the world’s leading players in the 1970s and early 80s when she won 14 Grand Slam titles, including four Australian Opens, two Wimbledon and one French Open. Friends of Australia Reference Booklet 2014 13 Fleur Wood Fleur Wood is an accomplished Australian fashion designer. In 1999 she founded the Fleur Wood collection that includes a range of homewares, clothing and accessories made from luxurious fabrics and modern designs. She is known for her distinct and delicate pieces she creates, with a vintage influence and modern edge. Gai Waterhouse An Australian horseracing and fashion icon, Gai Waterhouse is Australia’s leading horse trainer. She has captured 93 Group 1 winners, more than 300 coveted black type trophies, four NSW Premierships, 7 Sydney Trainer’s Premierships and won leading G1 trainer for 08/09 season. Gail Elliott After a successful international modelling career Gail Elliott started her Little Joe Woman label working from New York alongside her Australian husband in 2002. Following their permanent move to Australia in 2005, Little Joe Woman recently opened its sixth stand alone store in Australia and their online boutique has also been a super success with both domestic and international customers. Little Joe Woman is loved by names such as Elle Macpherson, Cindy Crawford, Yasmin le Bon and Elizabeth Hurley and more. Geoff Huegill Geoff Huegill, nicknamed Skippy, is an Australian butterfly swimmer. He is a multiple Olympic, World, Pan Pacific and Commonwealth Games medalist, and a previous world record holder in the 50m Butterfly. Huegill has been part of Australian swim Team from 1997–2004 & 2010, where he has won 28 international medals. Friends of Australia Reference Booklet 2014 14 George Negus Born 13 March 1942 in Brisbane, Negus has is an iconic figure after making an enormous contribution to the Autralian news scene. Author, journalist and television presenter, George was the founding presenter of 60 minutes and has most recently been hosting SBS’s Dateline current affairs program. Gillian Corban and Amanda Blair Gillian and Amanda are the founders of the iconic designer Australian stationary brand, Corban and Blair. The company is based on the idea of sharing and recording stories, with a beautiful range of leather journals and travel products. Grasshopper (草蜢) Grasshopper is a Hong Kong-based Cantopop-style boy band. First formed in 1982, the group is made up of Edmond Chi-Wai So, Calvin YatChi Choy and Remus Yat-Kit Choy. Aside from founding the group, their show business career began in 1985 when the trio took part in the Hong Kong New Talent Singing Awards. Since then, they have won numerous awards with their songs and compelling stage show, both in their home town of Hong Kong and on the wider East Asia stage, where they are a draw for the Chinese Diaspora. The group has also won Commercial Radio’s Best Group Award for six consecutive years. Over the years, members of the group have branched out from singing, with frequent acting and TV appearances. In 2005, following a break, they returned to the stage with a series of concerts that drew great critical acclaim. Greg Grainger Greg Grainger is a television producer and presenter whose passion for Australia has been aired publicly for many years in the TRAVEL OZ TV series, screened on ABC1 in Australia, Travel Channel Europe and the Australia Network Asia Pacific. A winner of the prestigious Logie Award for Best News Coverage, Greg has worked for leading radio and television stations in Britain and Australia for the past 40 years. Born in Cairns, for the past 20 years Greg has produced and presented topical travel documentaries and wildlife programs to remote and exotic locations, with broadcasters including National Geographic and Discovery Channels. Friends of Australia Reference Booklet 2014 15 Guy Grossi Guy Grossi is a leading Australian chef, presenter and food and media personality. He is the owner and head chef of Grossi Restaurants including esteemed international and Australian restaurants: Melbourne’s iconic Grossi Florentino, the colourful Mirka at Tolarno Hotel in St Kilda, Grossi Trattoria, Bangkok and the soon to open ‘Merchant’ to be located in the Rialto Towers forecourt. His dedication to ‘la cucina Italiana’ has awarded Guy many accolades, including an award from the Prime Minister of Italy. Guy is frequently sought out to present his love and expertise in Italian culture and hospitality both in corporate settings and across many media platforms including international and national television and radio. Guy has also injected his unique vibrancy and insight into food and culture into many projects, authoring two esteemed cookbooks, ‘Guy Grossi: My Italian Heart’ and ‘Grossi Florentino: Secrets and Recipes’ which won the Australian Food Media Book of the Year Award in 2004. Guy will be releasing two new books over the next two years. Iva Davies Iva Davies is the frontman of ICEHOUSE, one of the most iconic bands in Australian history, earning 28 platinum albums, eight top 10 albums and over thirty Top 40 singles. ICEHOUSE’s success spans over many decades, with their second album producing the unofficial anthem for all Australians, Great Southern Land. Beyond ICEHOUSE, Iva has and still continues to showcase his musical skills for films, ballet, television and special events. In 2012 the band will be teaming up with US friends and legends Hall & Oates for a series of concerts across New Zealand and Australia, John Oates having been the co-writer of one of ICEHOUSE’s most renowned songs, Electric Blue. Over the years ICEHOUSE and Iva Davies won many awards including the Countdown Award for the Most Popular Male Performer, ARIA award for the Best Album Man of Colours, ARIA for Highest Selling Album Man of Colours and the band was inducted in the ARIA Hall of Fame. Jamie Durie Jamie Durie is one of Australia’s leading Landscape Designers, a favourite television personality and the author of 9 best-selling books. An advocate for conserving our natural surroundings and environmental future, Jamie is passionately involved with environment and charity work. In 2011 he also worked with one of Australia’s most renowned tourism destinations, Hayman Island to rejuvenate and refresh the beautiful garden surrounds of the resort that were impacted by tropical cyclones. Friends of Australia Reference Booklet 2014 16 Jason Edwards National Geographic’s Jason Edwards has been at the forefront of natural history photography for nearly two decades. His image portfolio ranks among the largest of any photographer in the Society’s long history. Based in Melbourne Australia, a passion for animals and the environment has been with him over his extensive career. Beginning his career at the Royal Melbourne Zoo, Jason has since been recognised globally for his contributions to science, the environment and the arts. Jason’s accolades within the photographic industry stretch over 20 years. He has been a two times winner of the Eureka Prize for Science Photography, three times winner of Communications Art Photography Annual, two times winner of the ProMax Golden Muse, and winner of the Australian Geographic Society Pursuit of Excellence Award among others. Jay Laga’aia Born in New Zealand, Jay Laga’aia is an actor and singer best known internationally for his role as Captain Typho in Star Wars II & III. He has been a regular on Australian television shows such as Home & Away, Playschool, Water Rats and McLeod’s Daughters. Jerry Yan Jerry Yan is a hugely influential Taiwanese actor and member of boy band, F4. He became an overnight sensation across Asia after his role in the film Meteor Garden, a love story in which he played lead male. The film’s massive success garnered Jerry a huge female following across Asia. F4 has since been hailed Asia’s most popular and successful boy band, with each of member securing endless endorsements. F4 have produced several albums and each member also hosts their own television show. Jessi Miley-Dyer Jessi is one of the best young international surfers on the professional circuit. She was a star during her years on Australia’s Pro Junior series and is currently a contender in the ASP Women’s World Tour. Friends of Australia Reference Booklet 2014 17 John Bertrand A self-professed proud Australian, John Bertrand skippered Australia II to an inspirational victory in the 1983 America’s Cup, breaking 132 years of US domination and the longest-running record in the history of modern sport. World Champion and Olympic medallist, John received an Order of Australia in 1985 and published his biography ‘Born to Win’ in the same year. He is a successful businessman and philanthropist, and currently sits as Chairman of the Prime Ministers Alannah and Madeline Children’s Foundation. Life member of both the International America’s Cup of Fame and Australia’s Sports Hall of Fame, John is an iconic and inspirational Australian. John Fitzgerald John is a true Australian sporting icon, who represented Australia in the Davis Cup for 11 years. He held the No. 1 ranking in Australia for several years, represented his country in two Olympic games, won 6 ATP Tour singles titles and won 30 ATP Tour doubles titles. In 1993 he received the Order of Australia Medal for his service to tennis. John Laws The Golden Tonsils is one of Australia’s most notable radio personalities, with a talk radio career longer than any other broadcasters’. Born in Wau, Papua New Guinea, and raised in Sydney, John began his radio career in 1953, joining 2UE in 1957. After 55 years on air, he retired in June 2007. Renowned for his usual quote ‘you be kind to each other,’ John Laws is one of the country’s most influential media figures. John Williamson Born in Victoria’s Mallee country, John Williamson is known as ‘Australia’s Songwriter’, creating songs including True Blue, Cootamundra Wattle and Rip Rip Woodchip. Throughout 1988, 1989 and 1990, John had the best selling country album each year – an achievement he reached another four times throughout the following decade, and again in 2005. Calling himself a Bush balladeer, John is a fair dinkum Aussie. Friends of Australia Reference Booklet 2014 18 Johnny Jet Johnny Jet (a.k.a John E. DiScala) travels around 150,000 miles and visits over 20 countries each year. He and his website JohnnyJet.com have been featured over 2,000 times in major publications, including USA Today, Time, Fortune and The New York Times, and he has appeared on ABC, CBS, CNBC, CNN, MSNBC, NBC, FOX News Channel and PBS. JohnnyJet.com has been named “one of the top best money-saving web sites for travel” by Budget Travel Magazine, while the L.A. Times calls it “one of the top 10 essential travel resources on the internet.” Outside Magazine touted Johnny for having one of the world’s best “dream jobs”. Every week, Johnny hosts a “travel website of the week” for several radio stations around the country, he writes for Frommers.com, The Huffington Post and LAX Magazine. John Polson John Polson is an award-winning actor and director, as well as the founder and director of Tropfest, the world’s largest short film festival. John has been the creative force behind Tropfest’s success and global expansion since its humble beginnings as a screening of one of his own short films at Sydney’s Tropicana Cafe in 1993. Tropfest Australia now attracts a live audience of over 150,000 people on a single night, as well as many more via a live television broadcast. In the past decade, Tropfest screenings and events have been held in cities around the world including Berlin, London, Bangkok, Paris, Beijing and Aspen to name a few. Jotica Sehgal With over 9 yrs of extensive experience in non-fiction television and interactive programming, Jotica has worked for some of the best production houses and television programmes in India. After honing her skills as a TV producer and director, Jotica was invited by CNN-IBN to lead its feature division, producing and anchoring a variety of feature and lifestyle shows over five years. She now works as a freelance travel journalist and has recently set up her own Ideation company called Cash Cow Films in Delhi through which she hopes to create cutting edge content for television. In her free time Jotica loves to travel the world and practice photography. Jules Lund Jules Lund is a Television presenter and media personality, who has worked on the Australia’s longest standing TV program, Getaway, since 2004. He has appeared in Torvill and Dean’s Dancing on Ice, Big Questions, Hole in the Wall and recently presented on The Today Show. Friends of Australia Reference Booklet 2014 19 Julia Morris With nearly twenty years experience performing to crowds all over the world, Julia Morris is one of Australia’s most successful and polished comedy exports whose signature skills of fun and gentle irreverence add hilarity to any event. A multi-talented stand up comedian, host and actor, Julia has been a household name in Australia since her television debut in 1985 and has performed on stage with comedians such as Robin Williams and Whoppi Goldberg. Most recently, “Lady JMo” stole the show in Channel Nine’s hit reality TV show, Celebrity Apprentice. Julien Royer Chef de Cuisine Julien Royer is the latest culinary rising star to grace the kitchen of the iconic Singapore restaurant JAAN. He has received numerous awards including the coveted World Gourmet Series “Rising Chef of the Year” 2012. Since Chef Julien joined the kitchen, JAAN has received numerous accolades, including the “Best Dinner Experience (Western)” Award of Excellence at the 2012 G Restaurant Awards and “Certificate of Excellence for the Year of 2012” by TripAdvisor, which honours businesses that consistently earn top ratings from TripAdvisor travelers. In August 2012, Chef Julien embarked on a five day Margaret River Gourmet Trail, where he was afforded the opportunity to meet with some of Australia’s finest producers. Justin Jones and James Castrission Justin and James are the incredible sea kayakers who are the first people to successfully cross the Tasman Sea from Australia to New Zealand by kayak. Justin North Born in New Zealand, Justin North left home at 15 to pursue a career in cooking. He trained as an apprentice in Australia, the UK and France. At 22 he became Raymond Blanc’s youngest ever 2nd Sous Chef and voted employee of the year from a staff of almost 200. In 2001, Justin opened the world famous Australian restaurant Becasse with his wife Georgia. He is now the head chef and owner of Becasse and Quarter 21, both located in Sydney’s luxury shopping precinct, Westfield CBD. Friends of Australia Reference Booklet 2014 20 Karen Mok Born in Hong Kong, Karen Mok is an actress and singer who has enjoyed phenomenal success in Asia since making her debut in 1993. Internationally recognized, the award-winning actress has appeared in nearly 40 films including Shaolin Soccer, Fallen Angels, Around the World in 80 days, and Black Mask. Karen made music history as the first female artist from Hong Kong to win Taiwan’s prestigious Golden Melody Award and the first Asian star to take the lead role in the Broadway hit musical “RENT”. She supports numerous charitable causes, especially those concerned with children’s welfare and animal rights. Kathy Lette Born in Sydney’s southern suburbs Kathy Lette is an international bestselling author now based in the UK. Her first book Puberty Blues was a huge success and was made into a motion picture in 1981. Apart from writing over nine best-selling books, Kathy has worked as a newspaper columnist in Sydney and New York. She currently lives in London and is married to fellow Australian and renowned human rights lawyer Geoffrey Robertson. Kelly Landry From her beginnings as a successful international fashion model Kelly’s stardom has continued to rise as a TV personality, firstly with Channel Seven, then as co-host of Channel Nine’s Million Dollar Wheel of Fortune, and now as a presenter on Channel Nine’s highly successful national travel program Getaway. Kieren Perkins Kieren Perkins is a former Australian professional swimmer and one of the world’s most successful Olympic long distance swimmers. He dominated the 1500m event for close to a decade and held the world record in the 400m, 800m and 1500m events. He won four Olympic medals over three Olympic Games and currently works for the National Australia Bank the as head of business development and acquisition. Friends of Australia Reference Booklet 2014 21 Kristian Chong Melbourne based concert pianist Kristian Chong has performed around the world in locations as varied as China, France, Hong Kong, Taiwan, USA and Zimbabwe. After completing his studies in London at the Royal Academy of Music, he moved to Melbourne to undertake his PhD in performance at the University of Melbourne. Kristian often plays with the Adelaide, Melbourne, Queensland, Sydney and Tasmanian Symphony Orchestras as well as various orchestras in the UK and China. He has won many awards, most recently the Symphony Australia Young Performers Award (keyboard) and the Australian National Piano Award. Kurt Fearnley Described as the ‘Marathon Man’ of wheelchair sports, Kurt is a twotime Paralympic Champion, five-time world champion, and recently completed the Kokoda Track. Raised in a small country town, Kurt was born without the lower portion of his spine but this has never hindered his ambition. An ambassador for the Day of Difference Foundation and International Day of People with a Disability, Kurt is also a qualified P.E teacher and was named the 2009 NSW Young Australian of the Year – he is an incredible example of the Australian spirit. Kym Ellery Born in Perth, Kym Ellery is a renowned Australian fashion designer best known for her fashion label Ellery and for her role as market director for Russh Magazine. From Perth to London, Kym has years of knowledge and experience in the fashion industry. Larissa Brown The 2008 Australian Young Environmentalist of the Year, Larissa Brown is also the Founder and Executive Director of the Centre for Sustainability Leadership, a non-profit organisation which helps Australians make their personal and professional environments more sustainable. Larissa represented Asia and Pacific youth at the United National Climate Change Conference in 2007 and participated in the 2020 Summit in 2008. Friends of Australia Reference Booklet 2014 22 Liao Min (Maggie Liao) Maggie was named editor-in-chief of National Geographic Traveller China magazine in 2002. Under her stewardship, the magazine has won dozens of awards and become the flagship travel media in China. She initiated significant branding events well-known within and outside the travel industry. She managed to position Traveller as a leader in sustainable travel. She anchors a travel program in a national radio and her more than dozens of television appearances include national and regional TV. Maggie has visited NSW, VIC, QLD and NT in the past 3 years with vivid storytelling to her audience upon return, and she is going to visit Australia in 2011 again and act as an opinion leader in a mass media campaign to promote Australian’s World Heritage sites in China. Lisa Wilkinson Currently co-host of the Nine Network’s Today Show, Lisa is one of Australia’s most admired and respected journalists. With more than 20 years in the media industry, Lisa was appointed editor of Dolly magazine at just 21; by 25 she was editing Cleo and doubled its circulation in a decade; and she later went on to become the International Editor-inChief. Lisa is also an incredible business mentor, mother of three and wife to fellow journalist and author, Peter FitzSimons. Lisbeth Gorr Known best for her alter ego, adventurer Elle McFeast, Lisbeth Gorr is one of Australia’s funniest women. A mother, partner, media personality, comedy circuit regular, radio host, and writer, Lisbeth is currently developing her first feature film. Described as ‘one part performer, one part journalist and one part comic’, Lisbeth looks at the realities of life and makes others smile and laugh about it – it’s tough to get more Australian than that! Lizzy Lovette Lizzy Lovette is one of the youngest personalities in Australia to juggle both radio and television hosting roles simultaneously. Lizzy has worked as a radio host for 2day FM, Nova 969 and Triple M. A passionate entertainment reporter, she has also hosted several television programs, including Eclipse Music TV, Famous Presents Hollywood Uncensored and The Music Jungle. She is currently a celebrity gossip correspondent on The Morning Show and works for 2day FM. Friends of Australia Reference Booklet 2014 23 Louise Sauvage Born in Perth, Louise Sauvage has won nine gold and two silver medals for Australia in the Paralympics. Louise also holds two Olympic gold medals and she has won the Boston marathon four times, establishing herself as one of the world’s greatest wheelchair athletes in both track and road races. Louise lives by the motto – “You never know what you can achieve until you try”, and was named the International Female Wheelchair Athlete of the Year in 2000. Louise is an ideal Friend of Australia with her determination, ambition, commitment and success. Luke Hayes-Alexander Luke Hayes-Alexander is a 20 year old chef who founded Luke’s Gastronomy in Kingston, Ontario, Canada. After an intense 4 year training period, Luke became chef at the age of 15. Word quickly spread of this prodigy and his cooking, and the press soon followed. Luke has been featured in Centurion Magazine, Australian Gourmet Pages, Food and Wine, The Financial Times, Toronto Life, and The Ottawa Citizen. People are coming from all over the world because of Luke’s story, the word of mouth and the press he has received. They love the playful juxtaposition of old world techniques with avante-garde presentations and ideas. Luke Mangan Luke is one of Australia’s leading chefs and is regarded as one of our country’s best exports. He currently owns and operates a number of award-winning restaurants in Australia and overseas including Glass Brasserie at the Hilton Sydney, Salt Grill onboard P&O’s Pacific Jewel & Dawn, Salt and the adjoining World Wine Bar in Tokyo, with another set to open in Singapore this October. Luke is also the Virgin and V Australia Chef, with Sir Richard Branson a frequent client for his private events. He has written four best-selling cookbooks and created his own range of Australian condiments, wines, tea coffee and desserts. In 2008 Luke hosted his own TV show, Appetizing Adventures with Luke Mangan that screened in the US and Asia. Luke Nguyen Luke Nguyen is a celebrity Vietnamese chef. He is the host of television series Luke Nguyen’s Vietnam, the owner of acclaimed Sydney restaurant, Red Lantern, and is the author of numerous cook books. Luke is an expert on traditional Asian cuisine and knows some of the best places in Australia to find authentic Vietnamese dishes. Friends of Australia Reference Booklet 2014 24 Lyndon Terracini Lyndon Terracini is an operatic baritone and current Artistic Director of Opera Australia. His professional operatic debut was in 1976 as “Sid” in the Australian Opera’s Albert Herring at the Sydney Opera House. Prior to working with Opera Australia he was the artistic director of 2000 Queensland Music Festival and the 2006, 2008 and 2009 Brisbane Festivals. Maggie Beer Maggie is one of Australia’s best loved food personalities, chefs and food producers; a household name in part thanks to her extensive history of television appearances and food writing. No Australian home chef’s kitchen is complete without an item from Maggie’s extensive range of products, arguably the most highly esteemed by Australian gourmets. Maggie Beer set up home in the Barossa Valley in 1973 with a humble dream of breeding game birds and growing grapes. Since then, she has established the legendary Pheasant Farm Restaurant and produce shop. Highlights of Maggie’s career have been being awarded Senior Australian of The Year in 2010, and South Australian of the year in 2011, as well as her appointment as a Member of the Order of Australia for her service to tourism and hospitality. Maggie Tabberer Maggie Tabberer is an Australian icon for her outstanding contribution to the fashion, publishing and television industries. Maggie was a prominent model in the 1960s, and was the public face of the national magazine Australian Woman’s Weekly, where she worked as fashion editor for fifteen years. Maggie has also launched her own plus size clothing label called ‘Maggie T’ and is a prominent media and television personality. Friends of Australia Reference Booklet 2014 25 Marcia Hines Marcia Hines is an American-born, Australian vocalist, actor and TV personality. After debuting at the age of sixteen in the Australian version of the stage musical Hair, Hines shot to fame in the late 1970s with several hit singles and two Top Ten albums, making her an Australian musical icon. Mark Olive AKA ‘The Black Olive’, Mark is a celebrity chef who has been in the kitchen for more than 20 years. Born in Wollongong, Mark’s people are the Bundjalung nation from NSW’s northern rivers region. Today, Mark is a regular chef on public and corporate events, has a BA in Film and Television and has a passion for cooking and filmmaking. The Married Men The Married Men are Singapore’s hottest team of DJ’s, who recently broadcast their popular morning drive time show live from Australia to over one million listeners. As the top rating DJs on the hit radio station, 91.3FM, the Married Men are known for their cheeky sense of humour and great taste in music. They are influential advocates of Australia, constantly promoting the destination and their holiday experiences on air and through social media. Matt Moran Celebrity chef and TV personality, Matt Moran left school at 15 to become an apprentice chef. He now owns one of Sydney’s premier restaurants, ARIA located opposite the iconic Sydney Opera House. An advocate for apprenticeships, Matt is considered an expert within the industry and is one of three renowned chefs featured on Heat in The Kitchen, on The Lifestyle Food Channel. Friends of Australia Reference Booklet 2014 26 Matthew Jukes Matthew was voted the most influential wine writer in the UK and he is a past winner of the International Wine Communicator of the Year Trophy. He is the author of thirteen best-selling wine books and also the weekly wine writer for the UK’s Daily Mail Weekend Magazine and MoneyWeek. He curates the annual 100 Best Australian Wines List and he is also the wine buyer for Bibendum Restaurant, Amaya, Veeraswamy and Chutney Mary, all in London. He is the co-creator of The Great Australian Red - the annual quest to find the best Cabernet/ Shiraz, ‘the blend that defines Australia’. He is the founder and patron of Touch Wine in Adelaide and Wine Rules in Melbourne (raising money for homelessness in Australia). Matthew was Awarded ‘Honorary Australian of the Year 2012’ at the Australia Day Foundation UK Awards. Matt Stone Matt Stone is one of Australia’s youngest celebrity chefs, internationally renowned for his views on sustainability and innovative cooking techniques. In 2004 after having worked as an apprentice chef at Leeuwin Estate winery for two years, Matt started at Star Anise - one of Perth’s most highly regarded restaurants. There at the age of 20 and without formal qualification he was appointed Sous Chef and for the next three years Matt worked with David Coomer to keep the restaurant at the top of Perth’s dining scene with their Asian inspired modern Australian cuisine. In late 2009 at just 22 Matt stepped out on his own to become the Head Chef at Greenhouse Perth, and then took on the role of Executive Chef at Greenhouse by Joost in Sydney and Silo by Joost in Melbourne. Matt took out Gourmet Traveller’s prestigious Best New Talent 2011, West Australia’s Good Food Guide’s Best Young Chef 2011 and Greenhouse won the Good Food Guide’s Best New Restaurant for 2011. Matt has also featured on Iron Chef Australia and Masterchef 2011 and Recipes that Rock with Alex James. Michael Caton Iconic Australian actor Michael Caton has performed in films, television and theatre for over 40 years. Most notably recognised for his role in the highly-quotable film The Castle as Dale Kerrigan, he has also played various roles in The Flying Doctors, Great Expectations, All Saints and Strange Bedfellows. Currently he is hosting Channel 7’s Hot Property. Friends of Australia Reference Booklet 2014 27 Michael Hill Smith Michael Hill Smith was the first Australian to pass the rigorous Master of Wine examination. In 2008 he was awarded an Order of Australia for his contribution to the Australian Wine Industry. Featured on Decanter Magazine’s power list 2009, 2011 and 2013. Michael is an international wine judge, wine consultant and strong advocate for Australian fine wine both within Australia and internationally. Michael Moore English born Michael Moore is one of Australia’s most experienced and respected chefs. He is highly regarded within the food industry, with over 26 years of experience spanning two continents. Michael has managed and owned numerous top restaurants in Sydney and London. He is now the chef and owner of Sydney’s Summit Restaurant, which offers 360 degree views of Sydney’s iconic harbour and city. He also recently launched a book in the US called Blood Sugar, which sold out of first print in the first two weeks. Michael O’Loughlin Michael O’Loughlin is a former professional Australian rules footballer, who played his entire Australian Football League career with the Sydney Swans. He is one of the most celebrated Indigenous Australian players in the history of the game - being named a member of the Indigenous Team of the Century and the third player with Indigenous heritage to play 300 AFL games. In September 2009 he launched the Goodes O’Loughlin Foundation, along with his cousin & co-Chairman Adam Goodes, focused on developing and empowering the next generation of Indigenous role models in Australia. Michelle Bridges Michelle is a famous personal trainer, health expert and television presenter on the popular Channel 10 show, The Biggest Loser. She spent many years working for Les Mills Asia Pacific as a trainer of fitness instructors and as a Les Mills International Master Trainer she has trained literally thousands of instructors all over the world. She competed in figure shaping competitions and represented Australia in the world championships in America in the late nineties, and has won accolades and awards including the coveted Fitness Leader of the Year in 2004. She has also been a regular presenter on Mornings with Kerri Anne and is the author the popular fitness program Losing the last five kilos. Friends of Australia Reference Booklet 2014 28 Natalie Gruzlewski Natalie Gruzlewski is a Gold Coast born television presenter who began her TV career as host of the Gold Coast TV show, Surf TV, providing updates about the beach and surfing conditions. Gruzlewski is currently a full-time presenter on the Channel Nine travel program Getaway, which has allowed her to travel around Australia since 2004. She is also the host of the reality series The Farmer Wants a Wife, a romantic reality TV show that showcases Australia’s spectacular countryside and rural destinations. Neil Perry Director of The Rockpool Group, Neil Perry is one of Australia’s most influential and respected chefs. He has managed top Australian restaurants throughout his stellar career, and continues to head three Sydney institutions: the two-hatted Spice Temple, two-hatted Rockpool Bar & Grill and three-hatted Rockpool. Neil’s passion and the importance he places on quality produce are evident in all his dishes and the business projects he undertakes. The numerous awards and accolades won by his restaurants are a testament to this. Neil’s determined passion for Australia, food and wine, quality, travel and recipe books have driven him to where he is today. In addition to running multi-award winning restaurants, Neil has written eight cookbooks and heads a team of consultants to Qantas, developing quarterly menus for the Australian airline’s first and business class travellers. Nicholas Tse Nicholas Tse a.k.a Tse Ting-fung, is a Hong Kong singer, songwriter, musician, actor and entrepreneur. Tse initially entered the entertainment industry in 1996 as a singer. He originally learned martial arts for the screen and television, which Tse continues to practice. He made his film debut in 1998 with the crime film Young and Dangerous: The Prequel, for which Tse received the Hong Kong Film Award for his performance in the Best New Performer category. In 2003, Tse founded Post Production Office Limited, the biggest special effects companies in Hong Kong which provides services for movies, video games, and advertisements. The company grosses over one billion Hong Kong dollars annually each year. In 2011, he won the award for Hong Kong Film Award for Best Actor for his film The Stool Pigeon. He also boasts an incredibly successful cantopop rock career. Friends of Australia Reference Booklet 2014 29 Nicky Wu Nicky Wu (Chinese name Wu Qi Long) is a Taiwanese singer and actor who also has large fan bases in mainland China and Hong Kong. He found fame in 1988 when he became a member of the boy band, Little Tigers Team (小虎隊), performing alongside Alec Su and Julian Chen. The trio were extremely popular and successful in Taiwan, selling millions of records. During his time with Little Tigers Team, he pursued a solo career, releasing an extensive catalogue of songs, Mandarin and Cantonese albums as a solo artist, releasing his debut solo album in 1992. In five years, he released 13 Mandarin and Cantonese albums. As an actor, Wu won the 1993 Best New Artist award in Hong Kong, and the next year played the lead in the 1994 film The Lovers, his greatest commercial success. With his background as a professional athlete, he is best known for playing fighting scenes and never uses stuntmen as he trusts his own ability. Wu has starred in more than 20 television series and more than 10 blockbuster films. Olivia Ong Olivia Ong is a famous Singaporean pop star who began her career when she won a singing competition at the young age of 15. She first released her bestselling debut album “A Girl Meets Bossa Nova” at the age of 19. To date, Olivia has released 5 albums, including self-titled album “Olivia”, “Summer Night LIVE” and most recently “Romance” which includes both Mandarin and English original songs. The albums have not only clinched the No. 1 spot in the Taiwan and Singapore International sales charts for consecutive weeks, they have been well received in other parts of Asia, such as China, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Korea, Japan, Thailand and Indonesia. Paul Roos Paul Roos is a former Australian rules footballer and the senior coach of the Melbourne Football Club. Roos represented Fitzroy and Sydney in the Australian Football League (VFL/AFL) during the 1980s and 1990s. Roos was the senior coach of the Sydney Swans from 2002 to 2010. He was appointed the senior coach of the Melbourne Football Club in September 2013. Roos was inducted into the Australian Football Hall of Fame in 2005. He has won many accolades throughout his career: he was named All-Australian seven times; received the league’s most valuable player (MVP) award; and represented Victoria on 14 occasions in State of Origin. He is also the AFL/VFL record holder for the number of games played wearing the number 1 jumper – which he wore throughout his 356-game career at both Fitzroy and Sydney. Friends of Australia Reference Booklet 2014 30 Perez Hilton Perez Hilton is the internet’s most notorious gossip columnist and was named the #1 Web Celeb for 2007, 2008, and 2009 by Forbes Magazine. Since launching in 2004, PerezHilton.com has become one of the leading go-to sites for celebrity news garnering over 300 million hits a month. Perez has been featured in/on the L.A. Times, The View, The Wall Street Journal, MTV’s TRL, Larry King, CNN, E and many more. As one of the most influential bloggers, he has created an empire which includes his own record label, Perezious Music. He also launched his mobile website at m.perezhilton.com, a new fashion website CoCoPerez.com and two best sellers in 2009, Perez Hilton’s Red Carpet Suicide and Perez Hilton’s True Bloggywood Stories. Pete Evans Born in Melbourne, Pete Evans is one of Australia’s most popular celebrity chefs. He owns several of Australia’s most iconic restaurants including the Hugos group, and he has released numerous cooking books. Pete is currently the presenter on My Kitchen Rules. Peter FitzSimons Peter was born in Peats Ridge, New South Wales, and is a former Wallabies rugby union player. Now a journalist, author and radio presenter, Peter is one of Australia’s most prominent and successful media and publishing identities. Peter is also a correspondent to London’s Daily Telegraph newspaper. Peter Gago Peter Gago is a British-Australian winemaker and author, and the current custodian and Chief Winemaker of Penfolds Grange, possibly the best known Australian wine, based in the Barossa Valley. Working with Penfolds Wines since 1989, Peter initially started producing sparkling wine before moving onto reds and in July 2002, at age forty-five, Gago succeeded John Duval as Penfolds Chief Winemaker. In 2012 Peter was named Winemaker of the Year by a panel of international winemakers, the Institute of Masters of Wine and UK magazine The Drinks Business. Friends of Australia Reference Booklet 2014 31 Peter Gilmore Peter Gilmore is the Executive Chef of Quay restaurant in Sydney. Since 2001, Peter’s creative and original cuisine has seen the restaurant receive an unprecedented number of Australian and international awards, and establish itself at the forefront of Australia’s food scene. Peter describes his cuisine as “food inspired by nature”. A passionate gardener, Peter was one of the first chefs in Australia to truly embrace the vegetable garden and its diversity. Sourcing rare plants and heirloom vegetable seeds, he forges unique relationships with small farmers to grow bespoke produce exclusively for Quay. He collaborates with fisherman who hand dive and line catch seafood in pristine Australian waters, and farmers who rear rare breed animals with superior flavour and texture for the table. Peter plans his menus from the ground up a season ahead; a way of working which has strengthened his appreciation of the seasons and the natural world, and is directly reflected in his cuisine. Peter Walsh An expert in organizational design, Peter Walsh is a television & radio personality as well as the author of numerous New York Times bestsellers. Peter’s aim is to help people live richer happier lives with a little more organization. Born and raised in Australia, Peter moved to Los Angeles in 1994 and has built his career to be known as the “Get Your Life Organized Guy” on The Oprah Winfrey Show. His new series, “Enough Already! with Peter Walsh” premiered January 2011 on the new Oprah Winfrey Network (OWN). Peter is currently a regular contributor to O: The Oprah Magazine, has appeared on hundreds of national television programs and is the author of five bestselling books. Pornsak Prajakwit Pornsak is a Thai-Chinese celebrity, media presenter and restaurateur who moved to Singapore at an early age. His hit-show FOOD SOURCE is currently showing in Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Hong Kong, Korea and parts of Europe. Having travelled around the world in search of the freshest ingredients and the most delicious recipes, it is no surprise that this young entrepreneur has decided to open a Thai restaurant chain called, sexy.thai.food. He also studied a Master of Education with specialisation in Early Childhood at Monash University and founded an Early Childhood Enrichment Centre in Singapore. Friends of Australia Reference Booklet 2014 32 Rainie Yang Rainie Yang, is a Taiwanese singer, Golden Bell Awards actress and talk show host. Yang began her career in 2000, as a member of Taiwanese quartet girl group, before working as a TV host and supporting actor in several Taiwanese dramas. Her career took off by her first leading role in a popular drama Devil Beside You in 2005. In the same year, she released her first album My Intuition. By 2011, she released total six albums and one compilation album, and held two concerts in Taiwan and Singapore respectively. On 22 October 2010, she was awarded Best Leading Actress in a Television Series at the 45th Golden Bell Awards. Reg Mombassa (Chris O’Doherty) Born in New Zealand in 1951, Reg immigrated to Australia with his family in 1969, where he attended the National Art School in Sydney before forming the rock band Mental as Anything in 1976 with four other art students. They became increasingly popular and have released 11 albums and 27 singles, with 20 entering the top forty, touring Australia, New Zealand, Canada, England, Europe, the United States and Asia. Reg began working as a freelance artist in 1976, designing T-shirts and posters before launching the iconic fashion label Mambo Graphics in 1986, designing T-Shirts, clothing, posters and also record covers. Many of his Mambo designs and artworks were also adapted for use in a spectacular segment for the Sydney 2000 Olympics closing ceremony. Rhoda Roberts Rhoda was the first Aboriginal presenter on prime-time television, fronting SBS’s First in Line. She was the creative force behind 1997’s Festival of the Dreaming. And in 2000 she and the Bangarra Dance Theatre’s Stephen Page created the culturally potent Awakening segment of the Sydney Olympics opening ceremony. She is renowned for being an expert on the Arts industry in Australia. Friends of Australia Reference Booklet 2014 33 Richard Branson Richard Branson is the world famous founder and owner of the Virgin Group, which has around 200 companies in over 30 countries across a range of industries including travel, tourism, music, finance and health. Richard’s first venture was setting up a student magazine at the age of 16. In 1970 he founded Virgin as a mail order record retailer and shortly afterwards he opened a record shop. Two years later he built a recording studio and Virgin Music went on to become one of the top six record companies in the world. In his spare time Richard has successfully beaten world records which include sailing, hot ballooning, a sea crossing in an amphibious vehicle and golfing in the dark. The Virgin Group also has non-profit projects which include the Virgin Earth Challenge. Rick Stein A British citizen, Rick is a renowned chef, owns several restaurants, a delicatessen, patisserie, seafood cookery school and forty hotel bedrooms in the UK. He also recently opened a restaurant at Mollymook’s Bannister’s resort in Mollymook on NSW’s beautiful South Coast. Rick is engaged to Australian born Sarah Burns, and regards Australia as his second home. He has a house in Sydney and a holiday retreat in Mollymook. Robert ‘Dipper’ DiPierdomenico An Australian Football Hall of Fame member, Dipper is a legendary AFL player, Brownlow Medal Winner and member of the VFL/AFL Italian Team of the Century. A true Aussie larrikin, Dipper is known just as much for his jovial personality and big smile, as he is his infamous moustache. Currently the NAB AFL Auskick Ambassador, he is introducing school-aged kids and their families to the game he loves, AFL. Friends of Australia Reference Booklet 2014 34 Robert Pennicott Robert is founder and Managing Director of Pennicott Wilderness Journeys, one of Australia’s leading ecotourism cruise businesses operating along the coastline of southern Tasmania from Bruny Island and Port Arthur. Robert is highly committed to sustainable tourism and philanthropy, donating approximately 25% of net profits towards to charity and conservation. He was awarded Australia’s Best Ecotourism Business in 2009. In May 2011 Robert embarked on a journey of considerable proportions, circumnavigating Australia in a 5.4m inflatable yellow dinghy over 3 months to raise funds for Polio eradication. Using a website to collect donations and regularly post a blog and video footage, the project titled “Follow The Yellow Boat Road” is hoping to raise the $39 million dollars required to achieve a Polio free world. Sally Dominguez Sally Dominguez is a designer, inventor and educator who judges as a sustainability expert on ABC TV’s New Inventors. Sally has won three major product design awards, has a decade of architectural experience and has judged professionally for four years – including on ABC TV’s New Inventors and at the Australian Design awards, Wheels Magazine’s Car of the Year awards and the San Franciscobased Spark awards. Her profile in Australia and in the “green” community of the US is in sustainable invention, water technologies and innovative design. Sanjeev Kapoor Sanjeev Kapoor is the most influential man in food across India and most of South East Asia. He has been presented with the ‘Best Chef of India’ award by the Government of India, and is the most famous face on Indian TV through his cookery show ‘Khana Khazana’, popular for over two decades. On International TV he has prominently featured with Rachel Ray, Richard Quest and Rene Redzepi. Sanjeev is the first chef in the world to launch his own 24x7 Food TV Channel called Food Food, and also sits on the board of the Singapore Airlines International Culinary Panel. Sarah-Jane Clarke and Heidi Middleton Sarah Jane and Heidi are the founders of Australia’s leading fashion label, Sass and Bide, which launched in Sydney in 1999. Today Sass and Bide is sold in some of the best boutiques and high fashion stores around the world. In 2009 Sarah Jane and Heidi were also the subject of a finalist Archibald Prize portrait by Jenny Sages. Friends of Australia Reference Booklet 2014 35 Sean Connolly Sean Connolly is one of Australia’s and New Zealand’s most well respected and recognised chefs. Currently Executive Chef of The Morrison Bar & Grill in Sydney and The Grill in Auckland. He applies a ‘best on the bone or in the shell’ philosophy to his food. After moving from his native Yorshire, Sean travelled the world cooking on the QE2 and then became Executive Chef of Astral restaurant at Star City Casino in 1988. It was here that he led his team at Astral to earn consecutive chefs hats from 2007 to 2011, winning accolades such as SMH Good Food Guide Chef of the Year in 2008 and launching the casual restaurant ‘Seans Kitchen’ in the Star City Casino. Sean left Star City Casino in 2010 to pursue international opportunities and his growing TV career. This led him to New Zealand where in 2011 he, together with Skycity Auckland opened the multi-million dollar restaurant called ‘The Grill by Sean Connolly’. This was made into a 6-part documentary called ‘Under The Grill’ which documented Sean’s journey, armed with a 4 million dollar budget and a hundred day deadline to create a world class restaurant from scratch. Shannon Bennett Shannon Bennett is a Melbourne based celebrity chef and founder of the renowned fine dining restaurant Vue de Monde. Shannon began his training at Grand Hyatt Melbourne under Roger Lienhard before moving to Europe and working in the kitchens of such greats as Albert Roux, John Burton-Race, Marco Pierre White and Alain Ducasse. Returning to Melbourne in 2000 at the age of 24, he opened Vue de Monde in a humble terrace building in Carlton. A cult following was quickly established and in recognition for his obsession for classical cuisine combined with his edgy approach he was named Australian Gourmet Traveller’s Best New Talent for 2003. After six highly successful years, during which time Vue de Monde scored an unprecedented 19/20 from The Age Good Food Guide and was repeatedly named Australian Restaurant of the Year, Shannon felt it was time to take Vue de Monde to even greater heights. The restaurant is now located in the Rialto building – an expansive space with 365 degree views over Melbourne. Show Lo (LO,CHIH-HSIANG) Show Lo is a Taiwanese entertainer, mandopop singer, dancer, host and actor. He has been dubbed “Asia’s Dance King” for his dancing skills. Show co-hosts a daily entertainment news/variety show, 100% Entertainment on Gala Television (GTV) Variety Show/CH 28 with Alien Huang. He is also the creator and designer of street trend fashion brand “STAGE Hyaline of World”, abbreviated as S.H.O.W. It has outlets throughout Taiwan and in Hong Kong, Singapore, China, USA and Australia. Friends of Australia Reference Booklet 2014 36 Sia Tze Foo (Kenny) Kenny Sia is a Malaysian blogger with a huge sphere of influence. Receiving over 14,500 Daily Unique Visits, Kenny’s blog Kennysia.com, offers personal discourse on his area of interest, entrepreneurship. He also offers his views on current happenings around world, with enough doses of personality and humour to keep his readers interested. Simon Dale Australian born Simon Dale is a radio presenter, working for five years in radio before landing a job at London-based radio station Heart FM. Dale has in the past been a great advocate of various Australian holiday experiences throughout London. Sonny Vandevelde Sonny Vandevelde is an accomplished Australian fashion photographer known for the energy, colour and life he injects into his work. Sonny was raised on Sydney’s northern beaches. He worked for Quiksilver and spent 10 years photographing Sydney’s nightlife earlier in his career. He is now based in Europe to focus on his fashion photography and returns to Sydney each year to enjoy Christmas in Australia. Sophie Falkiner Sophie is a popular television presenter and has travelled Australia extensively, working as the anchor for The Great Outdoors and various major broadcast projects. With experience in journalism, fashion and modelling, Sophie is passionate about Australian holidays. As a mother with young children, she also loves to spend quality family time travelling in Australia. Friends of Australia Reference Booklet 2014 37 Stefano Manfredi Stefano Manfredi is recognised as one of Australia’s leading chefs and internationally as a master of modern Italian cuisine. He has influenced the way we eat since first opening The Restaurant Manfredi in 1983, which was awarded a coveted Three Chefs Hats by the Sydney Morning Herald Good Food Guide 1995. More than two decades later, Manfredi has owned and operated several restaurants in Sydney, most notably the award winning Restaurant Manfredi (1983-1996) and Bel Mondo (19962002). In October 2002, Stefano travelled to Italy to be presented with the inaugural trophy from the Italian International Culinary Institute for Foreigners by the Italian Prime Minister and his inclusion as one of Italy’s internationally recognised chefs in the first English translation of The Silver Spoon 2005 firmly cemented his reputation as ‘The Godfather’ of Italo-Australian cooking. Stephen Jones Born in Cheshire, and schooled in Liverpool, Stephen Jones is one of the world’s most celebrated milliners. After studying at St Martin’s School of Art, Jones opened his first millinery salon in the heart of London’s Covent Garden. Those premises soon became a place of pilgrimage and patronage, as everyone from Boy George to Diana, Princess of Wales, identified Jones as the milliner who would help them make headlines. From Vivienne Westwood, Claude Montana, Thierry Mugler and JeanPaul Gaultier throughout the eighties, to his current work with Giles, Marc Jacobs, Rei Kawakubo and John Galliano for Dior, Jones’s hats have been an integral component in some of the most memorable runway spectacles of the past thirty years. Steve Liebmann Steve is one of Australia’s most respected journalists, and has been for more than four decades. He has interviewed presidents, prime ministers and royalty, and is a regular on 2UE radio and is best known for cohosting the Today news and current affairs show. Su-Lyn Tan Su-Lyn is a Singaporean blogger, co-founder of the popular food and travel blog Chubby Hubby and a co-founder of Southeast Asia’s premier communications and lifestyle consultancy, The Ate Group. Previously, Su-Lyn was a respected food, travel and lifestyle journalist. She is most well-known for her revamp of Wine & Dine magazine in 2003, which resulted in the magazine winning the IFRA Asia Gold Medal for Design that year. She’s written for many international publications and also edited and/or written several cookbooks. Su-Lyn is also a member of the San Pellegrino World’s 50 Best Restaurants’ jury and a co-founder of Asia’s only independent, regional restaurant guide, The Miele Guide to Asia’s Finest Restaurants. Friends of Australia Reference Booklet 2014 38 Tan Hui Ling (Ringo) Ringo is a leading Malaysian blogger who enjoys travelling, learning foreign languages, fashion, beauty and her pet dogs. Her blog, www.cheeserland.com, has a significant online following around the world. Ringo has recently visited and blogged about her experience in Australia. Tara Moss Tara Moss is a former model turned international best-selling author. Moss started writing her successful debut novel, Fetish, when she was just 23. Her crime novels have been nominated for both the Davitt Awards and the Ned Kelly; two of Australia’s most prestigious honours. Moss currently hosts the crime documentary series “Tara Moss Investigates” on the National Geographic Channel in the UK. Terri Irwin American-born Terri Irwin is a wildlife expert, naturalist and author, and the widow of the iconic Australian adventurer Steve Irwin. She is the owner of Australia Zoo at Berrwah, Queensland, and works with her two children to educate people about wildlife conservation and native Australian animals. Tim Olsen Dedicated to showcasing the diversity of Australia’s best artists, Tim Olsen is one of the country’s most notable art dealers and gallery directors. With galleries scattered throughout Sydney, Tim is considered an expert in the art world. He is a great advocate of Australian art. Friends of Australia Reference Booklet 2014 39 Tim Ross Tim Ross is a well known Australian media personality, performing on Nova for 9 years as one half of The Merrick and Rosso show, helping to launch the Nova network in 2001. Tim has also enjoyed working on television, hosting shows for MTV and featuring in the ‘Merrick and Rosso Show’ and ‘The B-Team’. Along the way Tim has picked up numerous ACRA radio awards, an Astra, GQ Man of the year award and an ARIA. In 2010 he released his first book, Mum had a Kingswood and is currently a contributor to Men’s Style Australia, Rolling Stone and writes a monthly column Rosso’s Sydney for The (Sydney) Magazine in the Sydney Morning Herald. Tim Webster Tim Webster is a respected TV presenter – who retired from Channel 10’s news in 2008, after 27 years with the network – and radio journalist who currently hosts 2UE’s afternoon news program. Tom Colicchio Born in New Jersey, USA, Tom Colicchio is a coveted New York Citybased chef who gained recognition for his various television roles, most notably as head judge on the Bravo Network TV series Top Chef. Tom co-founded the award-winning restaurant, Gramercy Tavern in New York City. He later sold the restaurant and founded his current restaurant, Craft. Tom has won five James Beard Foundation Medals for his accomplishments. Tony Howell A familiar face in the WA restaurant scene, Tony has worked at some of the best addresses in town. In 1987 he joined Luis Restaurant (now Balthazar) in Perth’s bustling CBD where he remained there as Head Chef winning a number of awards for Fine Dining. In 1999, Tony started work at Cape Lodge - a boutique hotel set in its own vineyard in Western Australia’s Margaret River wine region, arguably one of the most picturesque regions of WA, with ruggedly beautiful coastline, majestic native forests and boutique wineries. In 2014 Tony left Cape Lodge to join Aravina Estate Restaurant in Yallingup as Executive Chef. Friends of Australia Reference Booklet 2014 40 Toshio Shiba Toshio Shiba is a popular Japanese film and television actor, who has travelled to Australia more than 20 times and has a deep connection to Australian nature and people. Between 1998 and 2001, Mr Shiba travelled to Australia five times with a national Japanese travel show, driving a full circle around the country, including visits to natural wonders such as Tasmania and the Bungle Bungles. In 2008, he started a not-for-profit organisation called “Club Australia” to network fans of Australia across Japan. The network currently has 1,100 members including travel agents, media and consumers. . Valeska Dominguez Valeska Dominguez is a Sydney born graphic artist turned jewellery designer. Her highly successful jewellery brand “Valeska” has recently signed with US home shopping network HSN, positioning her in front of an audience of 93 million households. Her jewellery is inspired by various holiday destinations around Australia and she regularly mentions Australia on her appearances on HSN. Renowned for her high-end couture pieces, Valeska has received accolades from an international press audience and developed a devoted jewellery following encompassing Hollywood A-listers. Vince Frost Vince Frost is arguably Australia’s most recognised designer and certainly one of the most globally celebrated and awarded of our time. In 2004 Vince made the move to Sydney from London, where his famous studio, Frost, now employs 40+ people. Calling Australia home for more than 7 years now, Vince continues to work for global clients and win international accolades. Working on a diverse range of projects including environmental graphics and exhibitions and magazine and book design, Vince’s approach is all about exceptional ideas and adhering to the philosophy that ‘anything is possible’. Most recently Vince was voted one of the top 100 influential people in Sydney by Sydney Morning Herald’s the (Sydney) magazine. The Wiggles The Wiggles are an Australian children’s music group formed in Sydney in 1991, and are proudly one of Australia’s most successful musical exports. The current members of the group are Anthony Field, Emma Watkins, Simon Pryce and Lachlan Gillespie. The group has franchised their concepts to other countries, developed Wiggles sections in amusement parks in Australia and the US, and won several major record industry awards. The group has achieved worldwide success with their children’s albums, videos, television series, and concert appearances and were named Business Review Weekly’s topearning Australian entertainers for four years in a row. Friends of Australia Reference Booklet 2014 41 William Barton William is one of Australia’s leading didgeridoo players and composers and is a powerful advocate for the wider perception of his cultural traditions. Born in Mount Isa, he was taught the instrument by his uncle, an elder of the Waanyi, Lardil and Kalkadunga tribes of western Queensland. At 17 years, William played his first classical concert with the Queensland Symphony Orchestra and is now one of the world’s leading musicians. Wong Cho Lam Wong Cho Lam (王祖藍), a renowned and talented local artist, works in Hong Kong’s glittering show business sector. He has had various roles from stage and TV acting to directing, singing, writing lyrics, hosting TV shows and DJing. Cho Lam graduated with first class honours from The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts with a BA in Performance in 2003. Since then, he has made a big impact in the media within a relatively short time. His rise to prominence was reinforced at the TVB Awards 2008, when he won the “Most Improved Actor” Award. Wong Wing Chee (黃永熾) Wong Wing Chi (黃永熾), is one of Hong Kong’s most renowned chefs and has also hosted a number of TV programs focusing on food and drink, as well as his role as honorary chairman of Dragon King Restaurant Group. In a city that loves to eat out, his high media profile has led him to become an iconic and influential gourmet and food critic. As a chef, Wong has won a number of significant awards, including the ‘Top 10 Chefs Award’ in both the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau region and the China region (in 2006) and the World Outstanding Chinese Cuisine Award (in 2008). He has also won the platinum prize at the Ordre International des Disciples d’Auguste Escoffier Awards in 2005. Yasmin Sewell Yasmin Sewell is a fashion retail consultant, creative advisor for fashion brands and trend forecaster. Setting up her consultancy in 2008, she and her team work on projects including retail strategies for international stores, trend direction for fashion brands in all markets and creative direction for young designers. Originally from Australia, Sewell now lives in London, and was named Young Australian of the Year in the UK in 2012, for her contribution to the fashion industry. Friends of Australia Reference Booklet 2014 42 Zhang Jin Peng Zhang Jin Peng (Xiao Peng) is an emerging Chinese blogger who is popular for travel storytelling via new media channels including blog, mblog, and online video. In 2010, his blog on sina.com is highly welcomed with more than 16,000,000 hits and over 13000 followers. Xiao Peng is also a travel writer whose work includes three travel books and travel articles for NG traveller, Voyage, Top World and Men’s Health. He is also a keen photographer and records all his travels through stunning photography. He travelled to Australia in November 2010 when he explored Victoria and Tasmania and is keen to return soon. Zoe Naylor Best known for her role as Regan Mcleod on Australia’s awardwinning drama Mcleod’s Daughters, Zoe is a talented actress, TV presenter, journalist, model and public speaker. A Queensland girl, Zoe has worked in Australian TV and radio and is currently working on a thriller feature film. She has worked in New Zealand and is a freelance writer for Road Rider and Australian Traveller Magazine. Zoe admits to a having a secret love affair with her Ducati motorbike and is a true Australian beauty. Friends of Australia Reference Booklet 2014 43