Australian American Chamber of Commerce (AACC Texas)

Last weekend in Houston, we honored the brave sailors of the USS Houston (CA-30) and HMAS Perth who sacrificed their lives during the Battle of Sunda Strait on March 1, 1942. The commemoration ceremony at Sam Houston Historical Park was a poignant tribute to their extraordinary courage and the enduring US-Australian alliance forged through adversity. Attendees, including veterans, dignitaries, and family members, participated in a wreath-laying ceremony and shared reflections on the legacy of these ships and their crews. As Australian Deputy-Consul General Drew Dainer stated, "Today, we pay our respects to those that made the ultimate sacrifice, but through that, forged this alliance." This annual event, organized by the USS Houston (CA-30) Survivors’ Association and supported by the Australian-American Chamber of Commerce Texas and Houston-Perth Sister Cities Association, serves as a vital link to history, fostering connections and educating new generations about the costs of war and the heroism of those who serve. ???? ???? Learn more about supporting this important history at https://usshouston.org. #USSHouston #HMASPerth #LegacyOfCourage #USAustraliaAlliance Christina Staib Drew Danier James Post Anna Post Ali Maghoo William Fraizer Michael McLerie

Great to see the return of The Aussie BBQ to SXSW and an opportunity for incredible talent to be shared in Austin. Check out the schedule and show your support for these amazing Australian artists! ??????

Today, on International Women’s Day, we celebrate the achievements, resilience, and contributions of women everywhere. From breaking barriers in business and science to leading change in communities around the world, women continue to inspire progress! We celebrate the women in both Australia and the US who are champions! #IWD2025 #InspireInclusion #InternationalWomensDay Christina Staib Amy Conacher Gabrielle Hall Regina Johnson Natasha Monks Stacy Feltham Geeta Thakorlal Melissa Langley Erin Jacobs Anna Post Marie Myers Sonia Lovel

???A World-First in Space Returns!???? History has been made in Australia! Varda Space Industries has successfully returned its?Winnebago-2 (W-2) capsule?to?South Australia marking two firsts - the first commercial space return on Australian soil?and the?first commercial return to a commercial spaceport anywhere in the world. This is a game-changing milestone for the global space industry and a testament to Australia’s growing role in space innovation. ?? Congratulations to?Varda Space Industries, Southern Launch, and Rocket Lab?on this incredible achievement! #SpaceInnovation #Australia #VardaSpace #SouthernLaunch #RocketLab #HistoryMade

Come cheer on the Matilda’s today at The Phoenix on Westheimer as they take on the US team (they definitely have the better weather today in Phoenix, AZ). Thanks to T.E.A.M Houston for organizing the watch party and bringing women’s soccer into the spotlight this weekend. ??????????

We have an exciting line up of activities planned for our 15th Annual?Australia?Day BBQ which is being held THIS Sunday in Tomball. The event will go on rain or shine. There will be a great Aussie BBQ spread complete with lamb, sausages, and plenty of Aussie beer and wine (and non-alcoholic drinks too of course!). Activities at the?Park?include: Inflatables *?Junior Sports Clinics?*?Face Painting??*?Balloon?Artist?*?Kids Crafts??*?Cricket?*??Netball You can check out the complete schedule online?at www.aacc-texas.org. For our Houston community, this is a great chance to experience a slice of Australian culture. Don’t forget to grab your tickets before they close tomorrow! ????

Are you an Australian tech-enabled startup looking to enter the US market? If so, check out the latest announcement from Austrade and their San Francisco Landing Pad. ??

???An Evening to Remember with Former Prime Minister Scott Morrison??? It was an honor for the Australian American Chamber of Commerce (AACC Texas) to be represented at the Dallas Committee on Foreign Relations’ annual Holiday Dinner last month. Amy Conacher (AACC Executive Director) and Melissa Langley (AACC Board Member) had the pleasure of speaking with Mr. Morrison at the pre-dinner reception where they shared the exciting collaborations underway between Texas and Australia and introduced him to our Chamber members and Australian business owners from the DFW area. During his keynote, Mr. Morrison spoke about the deep, enduring partnership between the United States and Australia, built on shared values of democracy, economic freedom, and innovation. He highlighted the AUKUS collaboration, emphasizing Texas’ potential contributions in advanced manufacturing, energy, aerospace, and defense technologies—showcasing how these partnerships can drive global security and economic growth. He also discussed trade and investment opportunities for U.S. and Australian companies in these critical sectors, underscoring the importance of strengthening our bilateral ties to support economic growth. This is exciting as we already see a growing number of Australian companies making their mark in the Texas market, bringing with them innovation, collaboration, and incredible potential for partnerships. This surge in activity reflects the strengthening ties between Australia and Texas, and we’re proud to support this momentum. The future looks bright, and we can’t wait to see what’s next for our vibrant business community!????? #BusinessGrowth #AustraliaTexas #GlobalConnections #Partnerships #Innovation #ChamberOfCommerce #AUSUSA #AACC #Partnerships #Innovation #GlobalTrade #EconomicGrowth Christina Staib Paul Habelko Sean Kelleher Richard Gibbs Colin McHattie Stacy Feltham Geeta Thakorlal Nicholas Gole Sean Hanrahan Eric Schmauch Melissa Langley Daniel Law

As we reflect on the start of a new year, we want to extend our deepest gratitude to all of our incredible members and sponsors. Your continued support, generosity, and commitment were instrumental in making 2024 a success. Whether through time, resources, or collaboration, you’ve helped us make a real impact in our Aussie-Texan community and beyond. We are so grateful to have you by our side as we continue our mission of connecting Australia and the US. Thank you for believing in our work and for making a difference. Here’s to even greater things in 2025! ????????

As we head into our #aacctexas event of the year this week. Planning of our 2025 Events Calendar is already underway kicking off 2025 with the 15th Annual Australia Day BBQ - SAVE THE DAY Jan 26th, 2025. ?? https://zurl.co/XiU4R #aussiemates #texasevents #AustraliaDay