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Marking a great state
The European office of the Western Australian Government commemorated the 181st Foundation Day on Monday with a service held in the Savoy Chapel, London followed by a lunch. The day was a great success with dignitaries and notable West Australians coming together to honour the state’s ongoing success.
Agent General Kerry Sanderson said, “It was and outstanding occasion and people were very moved by the service and the wonderful singing in the chapel.” His Excellency Mr John Dauth LVO kindly read a lesson at the service which was well attended by West Australians visiting or working in the UK.
A message from Premier Barnett added to the sense of occasion as he asked congregation to reflect on what Foundation Day means to them – “from the historic (initial) meeting of cultures, to the transformation of our cultural, social and economic heritage, as we know it today.”
The Premier also wrote of the state’s continuing development including expansion of Perth City and the revitalisation of communities in the North West of the state. And, he said, it would be “un-West Australian of him not to mention WA recent dominance the field of sporting. Read the full message from the Premier here…
Brian Barnes, CEO of the European Office said, “We were once again honoured to have the pleasure of the company of descendents of the Stirling, Fremantle and C.Y.O’Connor families, who have become regular participants of this annual event.” The day was the 44th of its kind to be held in London.
Foundation Day also provided an opportunity to taste a selection of award winning premium wines from WA. The 150 guests had the chance to try 30 wines from across the nine wine growing regions in Western Australia including such big hitters as the celebrated Leeuwin Estate Art Series including the 2006 Chardonnay. Although Western Australia produces just three per cent of Australia’s wine overall, the state produces around 30 per cent of the country’s premium wine and therefore plays an important role in the viticulture of the nation as a whole. The event was a great showcase for these wines and the grand Exhibition Hall of the Australian High Commission, London provided in the elegant setting.
Commentary on the night was provided by award-winning freelance writer, educator and judge Sarah Ahmed (aka the Wine Detective). Her pick of the night was the La Violetta La Ciornia 2008 from the Ciprian Vineyard in Denmark which is in the Great Southern region of Western Australia. La Violetta is a ‘hand crafted’ shiraz ‘which hails from young vines’ and from a vintage that contains only 31,000 bottles in all. Sarah said it was “delightful nuanced, characterful, mid-weight Shiraz.”
