This morning I gave a presentation to Burson-Marsteller New York colleagues. It was so, so cold this morning that I downloaded a heap of photos to showcase Sydney in summer. Before I began there was a slide show with Chicane “Behind the Sun” playing over loudspeakers. It really set the mood - the group was hostile at the outset!

Why do I say hostile? Extreme jealousy. Today it is 19 below zero outside with the wind chill. It is one of the coldest days on record. And here I was showing beach scenes and talking about my weekend plans to play in the ocean. It was a great way to warm up a crowd.

Well the hostility didn’t last (or maybe I’m just kidding - they were all lovely). After the presentation there were two questions.

What is Australia’s view of America today? I said Australians love Americans but hate America. The personal connection is still as strong but there’s a groundswell of resentment against the political approaches. Australians love traveling yet hate being fingerprinted and being treated like a threat when they enter the country. It’s a sad strain on a long term friendship.

Next question centred on last year’s race riots in Cronulla. I said Australia was a melting pot that hadn’t quite melted - people maintained strong connections to their ethnic homelands. This lower level of integration has led to flash points - especially against a backdrop of global conflict in the Middle East. It’s another sad state of affairs that seems to be increasing.

The whole New York team was very welcoming and gracious. There was a lot of interest in Australia. One team member won AU$20 by naming nearly every state and territory! It’s great to see a passion to better understand Australia.

Thank you everyone for your wonderful hospitality.

I leave you with one more gratuitous beach scene!