BACKGROUND
On June 26 1968 in London, a dinner for retired Australian Prime Minister Sir Robert Menzies was hosted by former UK Prime Minister Sir Alex Douglas Home and the Australian High Commissioner to the UK, His Excellency Sir Alexander Downer. It was at this dinner - attended by 40 mainly business, government and professional leaders - that The Cook Society was born. It had the following objectives:
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The Society would seek to provide a forum for leaders of business, government, the voluntary sector, culture, academia, and science, prominent in Australia and the UK in order to improve relationships and understanding between the two countries.
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The principal means for pursuing the objectives would be a series of lunches, dinners and an annual conference. The first conference was planned for Australia in 1969 and this has evolved into The Cook Society Gathering which alternates between the two countries, usually on a bi-annual basis.
MEMBERSHIP
Membership of The Cook Society in Britain is limited and by invitation only.
Members represent a wide range of national interests, include senior business and professional people, academia, arts and representatives of government.
Throughout the year the Society holds three or four private lunches and a dinner, in London, which are attended by members and their invited guests. A distinguished person is invited to address the luncheon or dinner and points of interest to both countries are freely discussed. In addition there are occasional events organised of interest to Cook Society members.
Every two years or so, about a week-long Gatherings of members are held alternately in the UK or Australia to discuss with governments and business leaders matters of import affecting the interests of both countries. The formal business activities of the Gathering are augmented with a wide range of social engagements.
Previous Cook Society Chairmen
Sir Val Duncan & Sir Peter Runge
Sir Val Duncan & Sir Reay Geddes
Sir Val Duncan, the Hon Andrew Turner
& Sir Anthony Burney
Sir Anthony Burney, the Hon Andrew
Turner & Mr F G Hawkings
Lord Home (First Chairman)
Lord McFadzean
Sir Mark Turner
Sir Ronald Swayne
Lord Shackleton
Lord Hayter
Sir John Swire
Sir Donald Tebbit
Lord Cowdrey
Sir Jack Rampton
Sir Peter Baxendell
Sir Kerry St. Johnston
Viscount Caldecote
The Earl of Limerick
Mr Richard Lumley
Mr Michael Rendle
Sir John Leahy
1969/70
1971/74
1971/74
1976/77
1978
1979
1980
1981
1982
1983
1984
1985
1986
1987
1988
1989
1990
1991
1992
1993
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013/14
2015/16
2017/18
2019
2020
2021
Sir Brian Shaw
Baroness Gardner of Parkes
Mr Peter Costain
Sir William Barlow
Sir Peter Gadsden
Mr Rohan Courtney
Mr Brian Harris
Mr Edward Scott (Died )
Sir Roger Carrick
Mr Maurice de Rohan AO
Sir Christopher Benson OAM
Mr Michael Whalley OAM
Mr Richard Turner
The Earl of Buckinghamshire
Mr Peter Box
The Hon Sarah Joiner
Mr John Allen
Ms Pauline Lyle-Smith
Alderman Neil Redcliffe
Sir Stephen Brown
Mr Jeffery Barratt
John May
Neil Redcliffe
Colin Morrison OBE
Elise Edwards
Known as Convenors prior to 1978.
The Cook Society Committee 2024
Chair
Pauline Lyle-Smith
Deputy Chairman
Elise Edwards
Committee Members
Elise Edwards
Colin Morrison OBE
Jeffery Barratt
The Hon Clare Hambro
Pauline Lyle-Smith
Peter Benson AM
Paul Orchart
Neil Redcliffe JP
John May