THE FULBRIGHT COMMISSION celebrates sixty years - 26 November 2009

The Fulbright Agreement being signed in Canberra, 26 November 1949 by U.S. Ambassador to Australia, Hon. Pete Jarman and the Australian Minister for External Affairs, Rt. Hon. Dr H.V. Evatt. Image courtesy of the National Archives of Australia: A8139, Item VOLUME 7 .

The treaty which established the Fulbright program in Australia was signed on 26 November in 1949, by the U.S. Ambassador to Australia, The Hon. Pete Jarman, and the Australian Minister for External Affairs, The Rt. Hon. Dr H.V. Evatt.

The program was originally funded with an initial sum of U.S $5.8m, 'representing U.S. Government credits acquired in Australia from the sale of surplus war materials.'

The Program was reviewed in 1964 and a new agreement established the Australian-American Educational Foundation, with the program funded by both Governments.

More recently additional funding from corporate sponsors and private donations have helped to expand the program.

The early corporate sponsors included Coca-Cola Amatil, Clough Engineering, IBM, Robert Holmes à Court Foundation, Time Australia, Citibank, and Anthony Joseph Pratt.

Our valued current Australian sponsors include BHP Billiton, Telstra, CSIRO, the Australian National University College of Business and Economics, the ANU (Distinguished Chair), University of Tasmania, federal and state government agencies, and other universities. (Click here for a full list of current sponsors and scholarships.)

The Prime Minister of Australia and the U.S. Ambassador are the Honorary Co-Chairs of the Commission. Since its establishment the Program has awarded scholarships to more than 4,500 Australians and Americans. A distinguished group of alumni are an integral part of the Program's rich history and ongoing professional network.

60th Anniversary events

The Commission is celebrating the 60th Anniversary of the Australian-American Fulbright Program with a series of events over the year, to highlight the achievements of Scholars and Alumni.

A Colloquium and Dinner in Washington commenced the 60th Anniversary celebrations. The Colloquium was held at the Australian Embassy, and the Dinner at the spectacular Katzen Center at American University on 9 October 2009.

60th Anniversary publication

Fulbright Reflections has also been produced as an anniversary publication with many stories and pictures provided by alumni and scholars which illustrate the rich history of the Australian-American program. The booklet was distributed to Australian Fulbright Alumni Association (AFAA) members with the November Newsletter. If you would like to receive a booklet, please click here to join the AFAA.