Dear ANZACC’ers,

Happy Spring!! Can you believe it is April! And how about Aussie Chicago Bulls player Josh Giddey saving the day last week in that buzzer beater shot!

For the start of 2025 the Aussie/Kiwi community had a fun day out at DOWN UNDER DAY (DUD) on January 25th. Huuuge thanks to Shawn and the team at Chapel Street Café for looking after us as with delicious food and drinks. And shout out to the legendary Jenny Talia for the fun singalong to some classic Aussie songs.

A little sadness happened in March with outgoing Deputy Consul General Emma Buckham saying farewell to Chicago as she moves on from her posting in USA to another role serving Australia. ANZACC thanks Emma for her integral support of the community over the past 3.5 years. We wish her all the best in what comes next.

And a huge welcome to incoming Deputy Consul General Asmeret Kidane who has hit the ground running and is looking forward to meeting ANZACC members. Asmeret comes to Chicago by way of the Australian Embassy in Denmark.

COMMUNICATION

Please remember to connect with and follow the various ways that ANZACC and the Aussie Consulate communicate with members:

EVENTS

April 9th - Booze, Bites & Spring delights

Secure your tickets before the deadline of April 4th by clicking here.

Network over bites and drinks at the Goddess and the Grocer, April 9th, 6-8pm

A Spring evening of social & business networking

$30 = 2 drink coupon and food including sausage rolls, lamb kebabs and pavlova
New Zealand Vodka and Whiskey tasting
Plus a performance by NZ violinist Benjamin Baker

April 25th - Anzac Day commemorative service

The annual ANZAC Day Ceremony will take place at the Vietnam War Memorial starting at 7am. This will be followed by a casual coffee and light breakfast at Mojo Coffee. This is free to attend and please RSVP here to help with planning.

April 25th - ANZAC Day AFL viewing party at Chapel Street cafe

Its not often that timing allows for a Friday night ANZAC Day AFL match to be watched live here in Chicago. But ANZACC MidWest and the Chicago Swans AFL Club are joining up to invite all along to Chapel St Café to watch the Brisbane Lions vs St Kilda at 10pm on Friday April 25th.

May 3rd - Australian federal election

If you are eligible to vote in the upcoming Federal election in Australia the Australian Consulate-General in Chicago will provide in-person voting services from April 22nd – May 2nd. For voting updates, keep an eye on the Consulate social media accounts and also Australians overseas - Australian Electoral Commission.

May 31st - Family day outing to the Chicago Hounds rugby match

The Chicago Hounds have only lost 1 game this season and currently leading their division and 3rd on the overall ladder. With an Aussie coach who is an ex-wallaby and a handful of Australia and New Zealand players on the team, we are working with the team to plan a family day that will include:

Tailgating before the game
Discounted tickets sitting in a group
Meet and greet with coach and players

More details to come.

September 13 - End of Summer BBQ

A joint event with the Chicago Swans AFL team to watch the annual Hendrie Cup AFL match at Waveland Fields.

OTHER HAPPENINGS IN THE COMMUNITY

April 2nd – Kylie Minogue at All State Arena
April 28th – Nick Cave at the Salt Shed
May 24th – AC/DC at Soldier Field
June 8th – Former NZ Prime Minister Jacinta Adern speaking at North Western Uni
June 27th - Aussie band Cat Empire performs at Thalia Hall
July 31 – Aug 3 – Lollapalooza with Aussie performers – Rufus Du Sol, Dom Dolla and Ocean Alley
November 1st - All Blacks vs Ireland at Soldier Field

SPORTING OPPORUNITIES IN CHICAGO

Know of more upcoming Kiwi or Aussie events in Chicago or if there are anything that community members want to add? Let us know by emailing gday@anzacc.org

If this newsletter was forwarded to you, please visit our website at www.anzacc.org to subscribe!

Cheers,

THE ANZACC TEAM

2025 Q2 NEWSLETTER

COMMUNICATION

EVENTS

April 9th - Booze, Bites & Spring delights

April 25th - Anzac Day commemorative service