2024 Q4 NEWSLETTER
Dear ANZACC’ers,
With great pleasure I am sending out the first official quarterly newsletter for the newly formed Australian New Zealand American Community Chicago!
A small, core group of Antipodeans have met a couple of times over the summer to discuss the purpose and mission of this group.
In short:
The Australian New Zealand American Community in Chicago (ANZACC) is a social, cultural and business networking group that serves as a hub for Australians, New Zealanders, and Americans with ties to Australia and New Zealand. The community offers opportunities for people from these countries to connect, celebrate shared heritage, and engage in cultural and business exchanges.
Key features of the ANZACC include:
Events and Celebrations: The community often organizes events around significant Australian and New Zealand holidays, such as Australia Day (January 26) and Waitangi Day (February 6). Also can include events based around sports and other traditions e.g. ANZAC Day. These events provide an opportunity to celebrate national traditions, culture, and cuisine.
Networking and Social Connections: The group helps expatriates and individuals with ties to Australia and New Zealand connect with each other for socializing, professional networking, and support in adjusting to life in the U.S.
Charity and Philanthropy: A chance for the group to engage in charitable activities, such as fundraising for causes in both Australia, New Zealand, and the local Chicago area.
Cultural Promotion: The group helps to promote and preserve Australian and New Zealand culture in the U.S., sharing their heritage with the broader Chicago community.
Overall, it serves as a cultural and networking bridge between the three nations, fostering a sense of belonging and identity for those with Australian and New Zealand backgrounds living in Chicago.
NEW LOGO
The new ANZACC logo, we hope, is self-explanatory.
But a quick explanation - the 4 stars represent from left to right:
The 7 pointed white star from the Australian flag
The 5 pointed red star from the New Zealand flag
The 5 pointed white star from the USA flag
The 6 pointed red star from the Chicago city flag. And of course the light blue colour from the Chicago city flag.
COMMUNICATION
We will communicate through a variety of channels. There is a new website and socials have slightly changed in their look:
Website – www.anzacc.org – is now up and running
Facebook and Instagram - @anzaccmidwest
Quarterly newsletter like this one
EVENTS
Some upcoming events to end the year are being planned and these include:
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 13th – AUSSIE CHEER STATION FOR CHICAGO MARATHON!
There are over 600 registered Australian runners competing in the Chicago Marathon which makes Australia the 6th largest international group running. Some of these may be locals living in Chicago or USA but most are coming over for the event. With support from the Australian Consulate and the Chicago/Sydney Sister Committee there will be an official Aussie Cheer Station outside the Australian Consulate at 123 N Wacker Drive, and we’d love for more cheerleaders to join. So from 8am please come and join the cheer station.
NOVEMBER 23RD - ANZACC OFFICIAL LAUNCH: HOLIDAY MAGIC, PRIVATE KOALA VIEWING AND AUSSIE SAUSAGE SIZZLE AT BROOKFIELD ZOO
Save the date and tell your Aussie, Kiwi and American friends! The ANZACC official launch event will take place at Brookfield Zoo on 23 November 2024 from 3pm, where we’re being given exclusive access the Zoo’s two newest Aussie residents – koalas Willum and Brumby! This will be a ticketed event and will be a great chance for our community to gather and reconnect over an (indoor) Aussie sausage sizzle. Keep an eye on our socials and website over the next few weeks for event details and tickets.
JANUARY 25TH – AUSTRALIA DAY AND WAITANGI DAY EVENT AT CHAPEL STREET CAFÉ
The newly opened, Aussie owned Chapel St Café will host a joint Australia Day and Waitangi Day. This will be a great opportunity for newcomers to Chicago to meet the greater community. More details to come soon.
A MESSAGE FROM THE AUSTRALIAN CONSUL-GENERAL (CHRIS ELSTOFT)
AND DEPUTY CONSUL-GENERAL (EMMA BUCKHAM)
The Australian Consulate-General in Chicago is happy to support the launch of ANZACC as a new community-led and community-minded organisation. You’ll be seeing us and members of our Consulate team at upcoming events and gatherings, so please do come and say hi. We’ll also share key messages, milestones and developments in the US relationship to the community through this newsletter and ANZACC socials, in addition to our own (Instagram: @auscgchicago, Facebook: Australian Consulate-General, Chicago).
As we’re coming into the busy holiday season, and many of you might be looking to escape the cold, our most important message this quarter is to check your passports! Australian passports take around six weeks to process, so get in early to avoid a last minute rush. Most adult and child passport renewals can now be completed via mail to our Consulate, and all our other services are by appointment. For more information, visit Australian Passports | Australia in the USA (embassy.gov.au)
Looking forward to catching up with you all soon!
Chris and Emma
OTHER HAPPENINGS IN THE COMMUNITY
Congrats to Brisbane Lions for their thumping of Sydney Swans in the AFL Grand Final and well done to the Chicago Swans Footy Club for the huge event September 27th!
Aussie-American singer Betty Who performing at Park West October 15th
Australian animated film “Memoir of a Snail” starring Eric Bana and Nick Cave showing at the Chicago International Film Festival October 17/18 - https://www.chicagofilmfestival.com/film/memoir-of-a-snail/
Aussie rocker Colin Hay and Men at Work are playing at Rivers Casino in Des Plaines October 26th
Monday night Nov 4th at 10pm – Melbourne Cup Watch party. More details to come
Aussie Tory Taylor is playing for the Chicago Bears!
Aussie Josh Giddey is playing for the Chicago Bulls!
Know of more upcoming Kiwi or Aussie events in Chicago? Let us know by emailing gday@anzacc.org
The newsletter won’t always be this long-winded but hoping a detailed introduction can provide the background for an informative update that we plan to send to ANZACC members every quarter. If there is anything that community members want to add to the newsletter please reach out to gday@anzacc.org
If this newsletter was forwarded to you, please visit our website at www.anzacc.org to subscribe!
Thank you for taking the time to read and feedback is always welcome.
Cheers,
THE ANZACC TEAM