Shelby's Social Diary

Aussies celebrate their national day in true Houston style

The Qantas Choir performs "Deep in the Heart of Texas" at the Australia Daygala.
Photo by Sopheavy Than
HGTV's Jamie Durie of "The Outdoor Room" joined master of ceremonies CameronDaddo, right.
Photo by Sopheavy Than
Susie Annus, from left, Nana Booker and Australian Ambassador to the U.S. KimBeazley
Photo by Sopheavy Than
Cameran Daddo joins gala chair Julie Tushingham.
Photo by Sopheavy Than

It was all things Australian at the Omni Houston Hotel Saturday night when the Australian American Chamber of Commerce hosted 450 guests at the fifth annual Australia Day Gala.

Native Australian, chef Jason Gould was tapped to oversee preparation of the dinner that was presided over by Australian Ambassador to the United States Kim Beazley and honorary Australian consul Nana Booker.

Headliners of the evening were Australians Cameron Daddo, the actor and talk show host who served as master of ceremonies, and Jamie Durie, landscape expert and host of HGTV's The Outdoor Room, who put on the charm.

Cultural highlight of the evening was the Houston debut of the Qantas Choir, making it here following performances at galas in Los Angeles and New York.

The evening honored John Higley, Australian studies professor at the University of Texas; Peter Hartley, professor of economics at Rice University; and artist Janaki Lennie. Proceeds topped $50,000 that will go to the Houston non-profit Project Joy and Hope.

Aussie fans swaying to the after-dinner sounds of the Richard Brown Orchestra included gala chair Julie Tushingham, Grame Barty, Duncan Cole, Chris Rodwell and Wally Mariani.

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This week's hot headlines

Wildly popular Nashville hot chicken chain's big Houston cancellation heats up week's top stories

Photo by Joseph Woodley

Hattie B's has canceled its plans to open in the Heights.

Editor's note: It's time to recap the top stories on CultureMap from this past week.

1. Wildly popular Nashville hot chicken chain cancels plans for first Houston location. Construction costs and other issues scuttled the restaurant's plans.

2. Creative Heights burger joint quietly shutters after more than a decade. Fans of Sticky Monkey burgers and Buffalo fries will have to drive to Pearland or Galveston to satisfy their cravings.

3. Longtime Houston fast casual restaurant darts into The Woodlands with fresh new location. The restaurant serves the same updated menu as the recently-renovated River Oaks location.

4. Thriving drive-thru salad restaurant freshens up Houston with first outpost and more on the way. The Arizona-based restaurant's first three Houston-area locations are opening this month.

5. Towering downtown skyscraper and former headquarters for oil giant set for new high-rise apartment conversion. At the time of its opening, the building was considered the tallest building west of the Mississippi River.

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