On 8 October 2024, Ambassador Ian Biggs and Dr Christine Biggs OAM hosted an "Australian Evening at Augarten."
Guests were invited to wander the Augarten greenhouse, savouring a true taste of Australia. We were proud to share some Australian culinary classics with our friends in Vienna, such as #DemocracySausages , kangaroo meat, #Vegemite, lamingtons, caramel slice, and pavlovas, and to showcase native Australian ingredients traditionally used by First Nations peoples, including wattleseed, lemon myrtle, and pepperberry. Guests also enjoyed some top-notch craft beer, wines , and award-winning gins, vodka and whisky all the way from Wollongong.
The evening was enriched with beautiful Australian flora, both real and in print with thanks to NhM Naturhistorisches Museum Wien, who showcased botanical drawings by Ferdinand L. Bauer, internationally acclaimed Austrian botanical illustrator on Captain Matthew Flinders' đđđ đđ¯đˇđĻđ´đĩđĒđ¨đĸđĩđ°đŗ during the first circumnavigation of Australia (1801-1803). With the đđđĨ đđĸđ´đĩđĻđŗđ´ exhibition by the National Museum of Australia, live music and a mesmerising fire performance by The Freestyle Orchestra, the night was truly one to remember.
A heartfelt thank you to the Austrian Federal Gardens team at Augarten, and to all the Australian businesses in Vienna for exhibiting their fantastic products and generously contributing to our door raffle: Schnauzer & Beagle Brewery, Salomon Wines, Headlands Distilling Co., Adina Hotels and The Hungry Wombat Baked Goods. A big shoutout also to the Natural History Museum Vienna, Britwurst, our incredible performers, and all those who made the night sparkle! 
Marion Carniel & SOCIETY magazine
