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Sydney Morning Herald
12-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Sydney Morning Herald
The koala has crashed the party – and London's elite are paying attention
In the process, he is fostering a new form of 'koala diplomacy'. His event, which brings together prominent figures from Britain and Australia, is a reminder of how cultural ties can be leveraged to drive change. 'There was a real opportunity here to raise awareness for Australia's threatened wildlife, many of which people in the UK may not know about,' Hoddle says. 'I just don't think Australia was doing enough to take advantage of the obvious soft-power advantage it has here for causes like this.' This year's gala, which attracted 275 guests, was held at London's Merchant Taylors' Hall. Inside the 800-year-old venue – where King Henry VIII once feasted and Winston Churchill dined – a glittering crowd of British aristocrats, Australian expats and diplomatic heavyweights raised glasses of Clare Valley Riesling in honour of a small, sleepy marsupial some had never seen outside a zoo. Notable attendees included author Kathy Lette, socialite Lady Colin Campbell, and former Australian high commissioner to the UK George Brandis and his date, former British prime minister Liz Truss. The evening's entertainment featured Australian Amy Dickson, acknowledged by BBC Music Magazine as one of the world's best classical saxophonists to date. She performed a meditative piece inspired by the sounds of the Australian bush. Last year's event was featured in the pages of Tatler, a prestigious British society magazine renowned for its coverage of the upper echelons of high society, targeting affluent, influential individuals interested in fashion, culture, philanthropy and the arts. It will again feature in the July issue. The funds raised will support the AWC's efforts at Waulinbakh Wildlife Sanctuary, a vital koala habitat in NSW. AWC, founded by the late British businessman and philanthropist Martin Copley in 1991 and boasting King Charles III as its patron, is the largest private conservation organisation in Australia, managing more than 12.9 million hectares of land across 33 sanctuaries. Its science-led approach to conservation includes habitat restoration, feral predator control and Indigenous partnerships, with a focus on reversing the decline of species such as the koala. In just two years, the Koala Gala has more than doubled its guest list from the previous year. Hoddle hopes to continue expanding the event, ultimately building it into a high-profile celebration of Australian wildlife akin to Tusk's African gala. 'We want to take it even further,' Hoddle says. 'It's not just about raising money; it's about creating a global conversation about Australia's biodiversity crisis. The koala is just the start – there's so much more to protect. 'I really have a vision where members of the royal family – who care so much about Australia, biodiversity and protecting endangered species – are the guests of honour.' Koalas, which are often considered the face of Australian wildlife, are a flagship species for AWC. Their habitat is critical not only for their survival but also for myriad other species that share the same environment. Loading 'While koalas are the focus, they represent so much more,' says Elizabeth Crotty, head of development for Australian Wildlife Conservancy UK. 'Protecting their habitat means safeguarding the future of many other species.'
The Age
12-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Age
The koala has crashed the party – and London's elite are paying attention
In the process, he is fostering a new form of 'koala diplomacy'. His event, which brings together prominent figures from Britain and Australia, is a reminder of how cultural ties can be leveraged to drive change. 'There was a real opportunity here to raise awareness for Australia's threatened wildlife, many of which people in the UK may not know about,' Hoddle says. 'I just don't think Australia was doing enough to take advantage of the obvious soft-power advantage it has here for causes like this.' This year's gala, which attracted 275 guests, was held at London's Merchant Taylors' Hall. Inside the 800-year-old venue – where King Henry VIII once feasted and Winston Churchill dined – a glittering crowd of British aristocrats, Australian expats and diplomatic heavyweights raised glasses of Clare Valley Riesling in honour of a small, sleepy marsupial some had never seen outside a zoo. Notable attendees included author Kathy Lette, socialite Lady Colin Campbell, and former Australian high commissioner to the UK George Brandis and his date, former British prime minister Liz Truss. The evening's entertainment featured Australian Amy Dickson, acknowledged by BBC Music Magazine as one of the world's best classical saxophonists to date. She performed a meditative piece inspired by the sounds of the Australian bush. Last year's event was featured in the pages of Tatler, a prestigious British society magazine renowned for its coverage of the upper echelons of high society, targeting affluent, influential individuals interested in fashion, culture, philanthropy and the arts. It will again feature in the July issue. The funds raised will support the AWC's efforts at Waulinbakh Wildlife Sanctuary, a vital koala habitat in NSW. AWC, founded by the late British businessman and philanthropist Martin Copley in 1991 and boasting King Charles III as its patron, is the largest private conservation organisation in Australia, managing more than 12.9 million hectares of land across 33 sanctuaries. Its science-led approach to conservation includes habitat restoration, feral predator control and Indigenous partnerships, with a focus on reversing the decline of species such as the koala. In just two years, the Koala Gala has more than doubled its guest list from the previous year. Hoddle hopes to continue expanding the event, ultimately building it into a high-profile celebration of Australian wildlife akin to Tusk's African gala. 'We want to take it even further,' Hoddle says. 'It's not just about raising money; it's about creating a global conversation about Australia's biodiversity crisis. The koala is just the start – there's so much more to protect. 'I really have a vision where members of the royal family – who care so much about Australia, biodiversity and protecting endangered species – are the guests of honour.' Koalas, which are often considered the face of Australian wildlife, are a flagship species for AWC. Their habitat is critical not only for their survival but also for myriad other species that share the same environment. Loading 'While koalas are the focus, they represent so much more,' says Elizabeth Crotty, head of development for Australian Wildlife Conservancy UK. 'Protecting their habitat means safeguarding the future of many other species.'
Korea Herald
24-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Korea Herald
Lim Yunchan makes BBC awards history with Chopin etudes album
21-year-old pianist set to release live album from 2022 Cliburn Competition Pianist Lim Yunchan swept the three most prestigious categories at the BBC Music Magazine Awards in London -- recording of the year, newcomer of the year and the instrumental award -- all for his debut studio album 'Chopin: Etudes,' released last year under the Decca Classics label, according to the organizer on Thursday. It marked the first time since the award's inception in 2006 that a single album has claimed all three titles. Even more unprecedented: a first-time winner in the newcomer category also taking home recording of the year. Charlotte Smith, editor of BBC Music Magazine, said, "That the artist at the center of these three prestigious awards should just have celebrated his 21st birthday is downright astonishing. But Lim Yunchan is no ordinary artist." "Given that 2024 saw the release of many outstanding albums, I did not expect this outcome at all, and I'm so grateful. I strive always to harmonize what my heart tells me with what my mind dictates,' Lim said, according to the organizer's website. Released in April 2024, Lim's 'Chopin: Etudes' has achieved remarkable success globally, earning the Diapason d'Or in France and the Gramophone Classical Music Award in the piano category, where he was also named young artist of the year. Alongside the awards, Decca announced Thursday the upcoming release of Lim's live album from the final round of the 2022 Van Cliburn International Piano Competition, where he stunned the world with his interpretation of Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto No. 3. The live recording is scheduled for release May 1, and a preview track from the second movement was released Thursday. Lim was just 18 when he became the youngest winner in Van Cliburn history. The final-round performance video has since garnered over 17 million views on YouTube -- the most-watched rendition of Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto No. 3. The young pianist's performances continue to generate global attention. His BBC Proms debut in 2024 at London's Royal Albert Hall sold out faster than any other concert of the season. Lim is set to perform Bach's "Goldberg Variations" at Carnegie Hall on Friday.
Korea Herald
24-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Korea Herald
Pianist Lim Yunchan achieves triple wins at BBC awards for debut album
South Korean pianist Lim Yunchan has achieved a triple victory at the BBC Music Magazine Awards for his debut studio album, "Chopin: Etudes," the organization said on its website Thursday. Lim secured the prestigious Recording of the Year, Newcomer of the Year, and the Instrumental Award, marking a historic moment as the first time a single album has garnered three awards in one year at the event. Furthermore, he is the first artist ever to win both the Newcomer and Recording of the Year awards simultaneously. "Given that 2024 saw the release of many outstanding albums, I did not expect this outcome at all, and I'm so grateful," he said according to the website. "I strive always to harmonize what my heart tells me with what my mind dictates." Charlotte Smith, editor of BBC Music Magazine, said, "That the artist at the center of these three prestigious awards should just have celebrated his 21st birthday is downright astonishing. But Lim Yunchan is no ordinary artist." Released in April last year, Lim's "Chopin: Etudes" has already earned widespread global acclaim. It previously won the Gramophone Classical Music Award in the piano category, where he was also named Young Artist of the Year. (Yonhap)
