Cancellation of the Embassy's Annual Australia Day Reception
The Australian Ambassador, Jeremy Bruer, today announced that, as a mark of respect for the passing of His Highness Sheikh Maktoum bin Rashid Al-Maktoum, he had decided to cancel the 2006 Australia Day reception, which was to have been held on Tuesday 24 January.
“His Highness was a very significant figure, who was widely known and admired in Australia. He was on a private visit to Australia at the time of his tragic death,” the Ambassador said.
The Ambassador said he wished to convey on behalf of the Government and people of Australia sincere condolences to the Government and people of the Untied Arab Emirates, and particularly to Sheikh Maktoum’s family and the people of Dubai.
“Australia pays tribute to the major contribution Sheikh Maktoum made to the relationship between our two nations,” the Ambassador continued. “The growing warmth and strength of our friendship is an important part of his great legacy.