When it comes to having a ball, no one does it better than the Aussies, if the second Australian Ball themed "Black White and Bling" is anything to go by. More than 400 revelers attended the ball held on Friday May 29 at the Hilton Hotel Ballroom and in true Aussie style, did their bit to make the annual event an unqualified success.

Members of the Australian cricket team made a surprise visit to Aussies Abroad's ANZAC Sunset Service. They joined the Turkish Ambassador, HE Haki Aqil, and the Australian Ambassador, HE Jeremy Bruer, and Aussie Abroad members and friends commemorate ANZAC Day. ANZAC stands for Australian and New Zealand Army Corps, whose soldiers were known as ANZACs. The Remembrance Day service is held annually on the 25th April to mark the anniversary of those Australian, New Zealand and Turkish men and women who fought and died in war and to reflect on the many different meanings of war. The service included the playing of the Last Post, a moving piece to signify those that were remembered. Wreaths were laid by both Ambassadors as well as members of the Australian and New Zealander community to honour all who served and died for their nation in the ANZAC tradition. Over 300 people, including the members of the Australian cricket team, attended the service held at The Club, Meena Sadiyat. It followed a special dawn service held by the Australian Embassy, where over 500 were in attendance at the residence of the Australian Ambassador, HE Jeremy Bruer.

Over 300 Australians and friends gathered together on the evening of Saturday 14 February 2009 at the Hiltonia in Abu Dhabi, to commemorate the victims and thousands of families left homeless in the wake of the devastating bushfires that swept through Victoria recently. They were there, at the candlelight vigil organised by Aussies Abroad, to show their support. The Australian Ambassador, Jeremy Bruer, Aussies Abroad members and the Abu Dhabi community showed their support in spades by raising AED40,000, which has been forwarded to the Red Cross Victorian Bushfire Victorian Bushfire Appeal 2009; the officially recognised charity organisation for the collection of support monies. The Ambassador led, by conducting the special reading, and the Boolas played the national anthem and read the poem, "My Country". Australians in Abu Dhabi wishing to donate to the appeal can do so directly to the Red Cross Victorian Bushfire Appeal 2009 link: www.redcross.org.au/vic or contact Aussies Abroad for more information. The Ambassador followed up with a congratulatory note to thank Aussies Abroad for organising the event.

This year Australians celebrated their national day in style, on Saturday 31 January 2009 at the Le Royal Meridien Hotel, Khalifa St Pool area. An Australian barbecue as well as pies, sausages, and other Australian assortments were the order of the day. They celebrated on the background of The Boolas, an Australian bush and folk band. And Abu Dhabi AFL Falcons put on a clinic for the kids, which also added colour to the event.

The Australian Governor-General Quentin Bryce visited Abu Dhabi, January 2009 to address the World Future Energy Summit and in a sign that she intends to take an activist approach to her role, she issued a rallying call for the world to act swiftly on climate change. Climate change was a "huge challenge facing humanity", she said. "We all have the responsibility - to each other and to our children for generations to come - to prevent the potentially catastrophic effects of climate change. We must act swiftly, act smartly and act together." (The Australian 22 January 200). Whilst in Abu Dhabi she visited the Australian Embassy, and conversed with a host of Australians and diplomatic guests at a function held by the Australian Ambassador. Aussies Abroad Committee was there to discuss its activities and work.

The December Monthly Dinner was elevated to the Annual Aussies Abroad Christmas Party. It was held at The Club on 16 December. It was a wonderful afternoon and evening for the little kids and big kids with Santa. Check out the photos of Santa, the kids and Santa's helpers!