It is possibly the most celebrated event on any American’s calendar, but yesterday in Sydney, Australians also helped usher in Independence Day in style at a private cocktail party hosted by The Consul General of the United States of America, Mr Niels Marquardt and NSW Premier Representative, Marie Ann Ficarra.
US trade partners, including United Airlines; Hawaiian Airlines and Visit USA compatriots were also present at the reception which observed the 235th anniversary of Independence of the United States.
The Consul General office in Sydney is one of the oldest in the AP Region, only behind Indonesia and China, but marks 175 continuous years, a feat belonging solely to Australia.
“Relations with Australia are however relatively new, with only 70 years of full diplomatic relations and 60 years of an alliance with Australia,” Mr Marquardt said.
Mr Marquardt said Australia and US ties are at its closest, with each country sharing similar values of “yearning for freedom and a universal human desire for democratic self-governance across the globe”.
“We share a common set of aspirations that is human rights, and it is not just something in our bi-lateral relationship, it is everything.”
Ms Ficarra, stepping in for NSW Premiere Barry O'Farrell, reaffirmed the same sentiments, saying “America has set the highest standards of opportunity to everyone, not just Americans”.
According to Ms Ficarra, the US is one of our biggest trade partners, providing in excess of A$12 billion, with A$175 million to the State.
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