The 2022 Sir Edward ‘Weary’ Dunlop Asia Medal recipient
28 September 2022: We extend our warmest congratulations to the Hon. Julie Bishop, Australia’s first female Minister for Foreign Affairs and first female Chancellor of the Australian National University as the 2022 Sir Edward ‘Weary’ Dunlop Asia Medallist.
Asialink Patron Sid Myer AM, and Sir Edward ‘Weary’ Dunlop’s granddaughter Diana H.R. Dunlop presented the award at the Asialink and Asialink Business Sir Edward ‘Weary’ Dunlop Asialink Dinner 2022 - our signature annual event celebrating the achievements in advancing Australia's growing, complex and diverse relationship with Asia. Professor Duncan Maskell, Vice Chancellor, University of Melbourne delivered the Dunlop Medal citation.
The Sir Edward 'Weary' Dunlop Asia Lecture was inaugurated 1993 by the then Prime Minister of Australia, Paul Keating, to commemorate the life of the late Sir Edward 'Weary' Dunlop, one of Australia's most revered citizens and a pioneer of Australia-Asia relations.
In a powerful address the Hon. Julie Bishop delivered the Sir Edward 'Weary' Dunlop Asia Lecture, sharing Weary Dunlop’s legacy, the history of international relations and Australia’s relationship with the Indo-Pacific region, the qualities of Sir Edward’s leadership and engagement with Asia - qualities that are needed for these critical and uncertain times in the world, as well as her legacy as the architect of the New Colombo Plan and what it means to be a recipient of the Dunlop medal.
Special thanks to Dr Lois Peeler AM Executive Director and Principal, Worawa Aboriginal College for the Welcome to Country, Fred Leone for incredible performances, and esteemed guest speakers Peter Varghese AO Chancellor, the University of Queensland; and Chairman, Asialink Advisory Council, Tarandeep Singh Ahuja, Partner, McKinsey & Company; and Chair, Asialink Business Advisory Council, Martine Letts, Group CEO, Asialink, Pippa Dickson, Director, Asialink Arts, Leigh Howard, CEO, Asialink Business, and our Master of Ceremonies, Mimi Kwa, Author, veteran news anchor and accomplished journalist.
We would also like to formally thank our event sponsors, the Australian Government Department of Industry, Science and Resources, the University of Melbourne (Chancellery International) and Invest Victoria.
We were honoured to see so many friends and partners of our organisation celebrating unity, equality and diversity and recognising the importance of the Australia – Asia relationship.