Australia showcases its best wine and cheese at National Day reception

Australia showcases its best wine and cheese at National Day reception
Australia Ambassador Steven Robinson AO

New Australia Ambassador Steven Robinson AO and wife Rhonda hosted their first Australia Day reception at Makati Shangri-La. The ballroom was filled with Manila’s political, business and social leaders.

Joining the ambassador for the traditional toast were Foreign Assistant Secretary Meynardo Montealegre of the Office of Asia and the Pacific, and Papal Nuncio Archbishop Gabriele Caccia. Senior cabinet officials and secretaries also attended.

In his remarks, Ambassador Robinson highlighted the broad partnership between Australia and the Philippines, in defense, security, law enforcement, trade, business, education, development assistance and disaster preparedness.

Trade is also part of the ambassador’s priority, and the many Australian businesses were represented that evening, including a showcase of the best Australian wine, cheese and coffee. —CONTRIBUTED

Australia consul general Darran Roper, Erin Roper
Hungary Ambassador Jozsef Bencze, European Union Ambassador Franz Jessen, United Nations resident coordinator Ola Almgren
Australia consul Gavin Evers, Kim Evers
Australian embassy first secretary for development cooperation Francesca Lawe- Davies, Australia deputy head of mission Mat Kimberley
Australia defense attaché Capt. Ian Gold, Kim Whitney
Papal Nuncio Archbishop Gabriele Caccia, Australia Ambassador Steven Robinson AO, Foreign Assistant Secretary Meynardo Montealegre of the Office of Asia and the Pacific
Alex and Marixi Prieto, Australia second secretary Ben Esguerra
Reni Sanchez,Mexico deputy chief of mission Ricardo Sanchez, Sirintra Ruangprateepsaeng of Thailand
Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, US Ambassador Sung Kim, Thailand Ambassador Vasin Ruangprateepsaeng
Monaco consul general Fortune Aleta-Ledesma, Australia Ambassador Steven Robinson AO, Rhonda Robinson
Japan Ambassador Koji Haneda, Ihoko Haneda
Gambia consul Agnes Huibonhoa,Angola consul Helen Ong, Ambassador Antonio Villamayor, Fobap president Robert Young
Bangladesh Ambassador Asad Alam Siam, Adriana Ureta, Argentina Ambassador Jose Nestor Ureta, South Africa Ambassador Martin Slabber
Vietnam Ambassador Ly Quoc Tuan, Lilia de Lima, Korea Ambassador Han Dong-man
Australian embassy liaison officer Benjamin Stevens, second secretary and consul Kathryn Hammond, second secretary defense in Manila warrant officer Peter McGarry
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