Australia operates in a vacuum in international education and public diplomacy. But in their recent paper, Bond University researchers argue for more active public diplomacy leadership, improved evaluation and expanded dialogue within the sector and broader community. Such strategies would maximise the soft-power potential of Australia's international education and contribute to our future international positioning.

Australian Rules also requires good communication and teamwork—skills often not abundant in the Middle East. The Palestinians chatter to each other in Arabic, while the Israelis often rely on Hebrew or English. When discussing tactics in the dressing room, there's an interpreter.

In celebration of His Majesty the King's 84th birthday, AMI Events and the Australian Embassy present the Hucky Eichelmann and Anthony Garcia Thailand Tour 2011: Music from Thailand, Australia and the rest of the world.

The Victorian government is now establishing a Victoria-Jiangsu Chinese Language Scholarship Program. This program will involve up to 50 Victorian higher education students and young professionals a year, involving intensive Chinese-language study at a Jiangsu-based university.

Penrith deputy mayor Jim Aitken said the exchange was a great opportunity for both sets of students to experience another culture. "In today's global society, it is important to recognise opportunities to learn from one another and it's a great way to put Penrith City on the global map," he said.

The Australian government is to post on YouTube images of so-called boatpeople being turned away and sent to Malaysia, in an effort to deter asylum seekers. The video will show arrivals at Australia's offshore detention centre on Christmas Island being expelled and boarding aircraft. Asylum seekers remain a politically sensitive issue in Australia.