Raising a Toast to 2026
WAGBA members and friends were delighted to return to the scenic Matilda Bay, as we held our annual New Year’s Reception 2026 on a perfect mild summer day. The reception provided an outstanding opportunity for some 90 attendees to mingle, network and kickstart 2026 in style.
The event officially commenced with a warm welcome by WAGBA President Michael Warneke, followed by an acknowledgement of the esteemed guests in attendance: the Hon Sabine Winton MLA, Minister of the Western Australian Government; the Hon Kerry Sanderson AC, former governor of Western Australia; Jonathan Huston MLA, Shadow Minister for Deregulation; Small Business; Public Sector Reform; Veterans; the former Honorary Consul of the Federal Republic of Germany Bill Hassell AM and Sue Hassell; the Hon John McKechnie AO KC; the Honorary Consul of Austria Wilfried Wimmler; the Hon Mike Nahan, former Leader of the Opposition in Western Australia; Rev. Peter Abetz and Jenny Abetz; as well as key representatives from the event sponsors – Andrew Spinks and his team at EcoGraf.
The Hon Sabine Winton MLA was invited to address the guests. Both highlighted in their speeches WAGBA’s invaluable role in the bridging between Western Australia and Germany through cultural and business collaboration, as well as their shared commitment to supporting WAGBA’s mission as part of their broader vision for WA’s future. Most importantly, both emphasised the importance of community, solidarity, and standing together beyond our differences as a nation, particularly in light of the mass‑casualty event that had shaken the country in the previous year.
WAGBA President Michael Warneke also used the occasion to formally step into his role for the new year, outlining his intention to strengthen connections across the association and its membership through a series of coffee meet‑ups early in the year.
Attendees were also served with delectable finger foods and free flowing drinks throughout the event and spent their time forming new connections and catching up with old ones.
WAGBA would like to extend its heartfelt appreciation to all the esteemed guests of honour, specifically to our sponsors – EcoGraf – for their generosity, and to our dedicated members and supportive friends for their invaluable contributions in making this event an outstanding success.
