9-May-07 5:00 PM EDT

The Queensland Advance Expatriate Awards, 2007

The Queensland Advance Expatriate Awards 2007

The 2007 Queensland Advance Expatriate Awards were held on Tuesday May 8th, 2007, in the Rainbow Room of New York’s Rockefeller building. These annual Awards are held to encourage and recognize the important work of one of the great assets of the Smart State – our expatriates. Recipients were applauded for their contributions to building Queensland's international reputation. With a stunning backdrop of dusk falling over the Manhattan skyline, more than 200 guests gathered to see the Premier of Queensland, The Hon. Peter Beattie, present awards to four outstanding recipients.

The Queensland Advance Expatriate Awards were awarded to recognized individuals in the following categories:

· The Premier of Queensland's Expatriate Achievement Award
· Queensland - United States Personal Achievement Award
· The Steve Irwin Memorial Goodwill Ambassador Award; and
· The Premier of Queensland's Champion Award

The State Government of Queensland Australia recognized The Dow Chemical Company’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Dr Andrew Liveris (left), as its leading expatriate in the United States, with the presentation of The Premier of Queensland's Expatriate Achievement Award. Mr Beattie applauded Dr Liveris for his wonderful achievements in the United States and his contribution to building Queensland’s international reputation.

The Queensland - United States Personal Achievement Award was presented to world renowned writer and director, Dr. George Miller, who was applauded for his wonderful achievements in the entertainment industry, especially his recent success with

Happy Feet. Dr Miller was unable to attend the ceremony, but accepted his award in a pre-recorded video message.

The inaugural Steve Irwin Memorial Goodwill Ambassador Award went to Mr Clark Bunting (right). The State Government of Queensland recognized The Discovery Studios’ President as being an integral part of the success of Steve Irwin’s “Crocodile Hunter” phenomenon around the world. “The Crocodile Hunter”, Steve Irwin’s home state of Queensland has posthumously recognized the late TV personality and wildlife

conservationist for his achievements in putting Queensland on the international stage.

For his contribution in helping build Queensland’s international reputation in biotechnology, Mr Karl Kelly (left) received the Premier of Queensland's Champion Award. The South Carolina Biotechnology Incubation Program CEO, Mr Kelly was instrumental in coordinating the signing of the Letter of Intent on Biotechnology Collaboration between South Carolina and Queensland as well as a Memorandum of Understanding between the Queensland University of Technology and Clemson University.

For more detail on each of the four recipients, please read the following media releases:

- Dr Andrew Liveris

- Dr George Miller

- Mr Clark Bunting

- Mr Karl Kelly

The Queensland Music Artist Showcase

The Awards ceremony was followed by the Queensland Music Artist Showcase, featuring a great line up of Queensland rock-pop acts – Tyrone Noonan, Transport and Dead Day Sun. Guests were able to see first hand why Billboard announced Brisbane as one of the global music hot spots.

Tyrone Noonan has taken time out to go solo after his success with the ARIA award-winning band george. Tyrone, who is working on his upcoming debut full-length album, started the music off with some acoustic melodies from his recently released mini-album "Heavy Soul Part 1". Next, Transport’s high-energy performance showcased their mix of melodic British New Wave and American Classic Rock from their debut album "The Inner Chimp". Dead Day Sun, who are quickly emerging as ‘one of Australia’s foremost contemporary rock groups,’ finished the night with hits from their debut album "Bless This Brooding Heart".

Mr Beattie said it was the perfect stage for three up-and-coming Queensland artists to present their credentials to the New York music scene. "Tyrone, Transport and Dead Day Sun are set to continue the great tradition of Queensland musicians doing great things around the world. Our musical alumni includes The Saints, The Bee Gees, Savage Garden, Powderfinger, The Go Betweens, The Veronicas and Keith Urban."