Log in
Australian Institute of International Affairs - Western Australia

**Special Members-Only Event** Not Always Diplomatic: An Australian Woman's Journey through international affairs

Thu, 24 Sep 2020
18:00 - 20:00

*Tickets to this event have now closed*

Please call the Secretary on 0406 713 295 or email wa.branch@internationalaffairs.org.au if you have any questions.

 

In partnership with UWA Press, we are delighted to announce the long awaited release of Not Always Diplomatic: An Australian Woman's Journey through international affairs, by Dr Sue Boyd.  The memoir will be launched in The University Club of Western Australia Auditorium by the Official Visitor of the Australian Institute of International Affairs for WA, The Governor, The Hon Kim Beazley AC.

Not Always Diplomatic chronicles the life of a pioneer in international diplomacy and a career that has spanned the globe. Sue Boyd has been the head of Australian diplomatic missions in Fiji, Hong Kong, Vietnam and Bangladesh. She also had postings at the United Nations in New York and in the former East Germany. Sue Boyd has a story to tell from almost everywhere.

She shares this account of her life from her formative years in India, Germany, Ireland, Egypt, Cyprus and Britain through to her years at The University of Western Australia, where she was the first woman to become president of the student guild, beating, among others, Kim Beazley. She then explores her life as a high-flying official firmly ensconced in the ever-changing diplomatic landscape of the 80’s and 90’s, sharing with us her view of the practice of foreign relations, as seen from the trenches.

An engaging account of life at the coalface by one of Australia’s most active and effective diplomats – and real pathfinder in leading our diplomatic establishment out of its sexist dark age” Gareth Evans, Foreign Minister 1988-96

 

This event will be open to AIIA members and invited guests only.  

 

***Books will be for sale on the evening courtesy of The Lane Bookshop and drinks and light refreshments will be provided. Due to COVID restrictions spaces are limited, so pre-purchasing tickets is essential to avoid disappointment***

 

If you are unable to purchase tickets online, please call the Secretary on (08) 6225 2515 or email wa.branch@internationalaffairs.org.au to book a seat.

 

About the speaker: 

Dr Sue Boyd is widely respected and admired in the international relations community and is the immediate past President of the AIIA for WA.  Born in India to British parents,  Boyd lived and was educated in Germany, Egypt, Cyprus, Ireland and the UK. Her family emigrated to Perth, Western Australia in 1966 where she was the first woman President of the Student Guild of Undergraduates at UWA. In 1970 she joined the Australia Department of External Affairs, the beginning of a 34 year career in the Australian Foreign Service, including postings as Ambassador in Vietnam, High Commissioner in Bangladesh and Fiji, Consul-General in Hong Kong and postings in Portugal, The UN in New York and the German Democratic Republic. Since returning to WA in 2003, she has invested considerable energy into revitalising the AIIA for WA.  She now works as a Senior Executive Business Coach in Perth and is interested in international affairs and in the arts, including theatre, and opera.

 

Ticket Type Price
Member ticket $10.00 Sold out
The University Club of Western Australia
Entrance 1, Hackett Dr, Crawley WA 6009, Australia
Auditorium, Ground Floor 

PO Box 1326, South Perth, Western Australia, 6951, Australia

Contact Us
Follow us: