Asialink announces John McCarthy AO as the 2023 Dunlop Asia Medallist
Announcement posted by Asialink 03 Nov 2023
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
John McCarthy AO announced as 2023 Dunlop Asia Medallist
The distinguished career of John McCarthy AO has been honoured at the 2023 Sir Edward 'Weary' Dunlop Asialink Dinner in Sydney last night.
Mr McCarthy was announced as the recipient of the 2023 Dunlop Asia Medal. The Dunlop Asia Medal is awarded for an outstanding record of achievement in improving Australia-Asia relations and enhancing the quality of life in the region.
The medal has previously been awarded to prominent Australians including last year's winner The Hon. Julie Bishop, Professor The Hon. Gareth Evans AC QC and Gabi Hollows AO.
The gala dinner is hosted and presented annually by Asialink, a department of The University of Melbourne and Australia's national centre for Asia capability and engagement. The Dunlop Asialink Dinner brings together leaders from diverse industries including government, business, arts, academia and the media.
In his citation Peter Varghese AO, Chairman of the Asialink Advisory Council, reflected on Mr MacCarthy's career which spanned 40 years, including stints as Head of Mission in seven posts, including Washington, and five ambassadorial level posts in Asia including Hanoi, Bangkok, Jakarta, Tokyo and New Delhi.
"By any measure John has had a remarkable reputation and the emphasis has often been on his work behind the scenes. But in truth, John has been at the forefront of Australia's international engagement-in particular with the Indo Pacific," said Mr Varghese AO.
In his acceptance speech Mr McCarthy reflected on his career, which tracked alongside key moments in Asia-Australia relations. He highlighted the dismantling of the white-Australia policy and Apology to Indigenous Australians as things Australia has done well, while lamenting challenges related to changing immigration policy and potential reputational damage following the failed Voice referendum.
Mr McCarthy expressed concern Australia has "lost momentum on Asia." over this century.
"Our Asian challenge is now more pressing than for the Weary Dunlop generation. If we are to meet this challenge, we must do better - in educating ourselves, in economic engagement and the patient work of diplomacy. We will have to run to keep up. And we must be sure that our own house is in order. We have work to do," Mr McCarthy said.
This year's Dunlop Asia Lecture was delivered by Adam Liaw, celebrated cook, author and television presenter.
Traversing the complex history of Australia-Asia relations, Mr Liaw shared his optimism for the future of Asia-Australia relations:
"Of course, we still need to do the work, and we might not know the specifics that our future relationships with our Asian neighbours will take... but with the truths of our nation undeniable, we know that those relationships will be strong and positive as long as we don't forget the conditions that we have seen can distract us from these truths, and which have done so repeatedly in our history."
END
[Speech - Dunlop Medallist John McCarthy AO]
For enquiries, interview requests or further information, please contact:
Kristy Jones
Head of Communications
Asialink - The University of Melbourne
k.jones@asialink.unimelb.edu.au
0409 027 276
ABOUT ASIALINK
Asialink is Australia's national centre for Asia capability and engagement, working to create a better future with Asia.
Through sustained engagement, impactful partnerships and signature offerings, we empower individuals, organisations, and governments with knowledge and capability to engage effectively in the region.
We have deep expertise across arts, business, education and diplomacy working towards one goal: to create a better future, one where Asia and Australia thrive together in our region.
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