Australia Week Steering Committee
The membership of the Committee is comprised of Wally Mariani, Senior Executive Vice President of Qantas; Daryl Hudson, Regional General Manager, the Americas at Tourism Australia and Sally Ann Watts, Senior Trade Commissioner, Austrade Los Angeles.
Chris DE CURE, OAM
Mr Chris De Cure commenced his appointment as Australian Consul-General in Los Angeles in March 2009. He is a career officer of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade with extensive experience across the range of departmental functions, including Australia's bilateral relationship with the United States. Mr De Cure has held diverse senior roles covering bilateral and regional relations, trade policy, public affairs and corporate programs. He has developed a close familiarity with Australia’s relations with the United States, having headed the Department’s Americas Division in 2008 and previously serving in the Australian Embassy, Washington as First Secretary (Commercial) from 1987-1990. He was awarded an Order of Australia medal for this contribution Australians travelling overseas. Mr De Cure holds a Bachelor of Economics from the Australian National University. He is married and has four adult daughters.
Wally Mariani AM
Wally Mariani was appointed to his current position as Senior Executive Vice President, The Americas and Pacific, in January 2000. In June 2001, the position was relocated from Sydney to Los Angeles, where the Marianis are currently living. In this position, his responsibilities cover Qantas operations in America, Canada, South America, New Zealand and the Pacific Islands. He had held numerous management positions during his career which began in 1965 at Australian Airlines. During his 42-year career in the airline industry, he has lived in America on three separate occasions. His wife, Barbara, is an American and they have a daughter, Jessica.
Daryl Hudson
Daryl Hudson, Regional General Manager, the Americas at Tourism Australia.
Bio coming soon.
Sally-Ann Watts
As Austrade's Senior Trade Commissioner for the West USA region, Sally-Ann Watts oversees eight regional offices, including Honolulu, Las Vegas and San Diego/Orange County, as well as the work of her own office in Los Angeles. Prior to being appointed to this position Ms Watts was Senior Trade Commissioner and Consul-General for the Australian Consulate-General Toronto. During her time in Toronto Ms Watts was a member of the inaugural G`Day Toronto 2007 Steering Committee.
Ms Watts was born in Bendigo, Victoria and is married with three daughters.
