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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.

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Throughout the year the Society holds a couple of private lunches and a dinner, and a drinks reception or two in London, which are attended by members and their invited guests. A distinguished person is invited to address the luncheons 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.

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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

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1976/77

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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

2020/22

2023

2024

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

Pauline Lyle-Smith

Known as Convenors prior to 1978.

The Cook Society Committee 2024

 

Chair

Pauline Lyle-Smith

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Deputy Chairman

Elise Edwards

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Committee Members

Jeffery Barratt

The Hon Clare Hambro

Paul Orchart

Neil Redcliffe JP

John May

Paul Madden CMG FRGS

Michael Hawthorne OBE

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