By WLCU Sydney Editorial Team

‘From its beginning, modern Australia has been a place where only the very unlucky have missed out on a decent life. As the early convicts, then migrants from all over the world, and eventually even the descendants of the original inhabitants have largely found, people prepared to ‘have a fair go’ have normally been abundantly blessed with ‘getting a fair go’ in return. As a society, we are still less stratified than Britain and less individualistic than the United States, although perhaps no longer quite so sure we have the best life on Earth.’ 

Tony Abbott, Australia: A History

Praised for how ‘it confronts [the past] with courage, dignity and care’ by Nova Peris and for ‘big narrative history at its best’ by author Andrew Roberts—the recently published book Australia: A History, by Australia’s 28th Prime Minister, Hon. Tony Abbott AC, ends with a provocative comparison between past and present. Such was the impetus for Mr Abbott’s discussion with WLCU Sydney President Dr. Shane Geha, to a capacity crowd of 150 distinguished guests at ‘The Lucky Country Lunch’ on a sunny Friday August 14th, 2026. 

Over a Levant-inspired banquet at Elements Bar and Grill Walsh Bay, the two discussed key moments in Australian history and the Lebanese contribution to this story, with Dr Geha even inviting Mr Abbott to Lebanon for a trip in which he would be safe “because he’s with me.” That same cordiality characterised their conversation, extended in particular by Mr Abbott to Bob Hawke, whose prime ministership he described as a “golden age” in the nation’s ultimate experience of the 20th century.

Mr Abbott and Dr Geha previously spoke at the WLCU Sydney gala dinner ‘En Route to Beirut’ in March 2023, and, for this follow-up, Mr Abbott received both a personal introduction by Tony Shepherd AO, former Business Council of Australia President, and concluding thanks from Mary Easson, former Member of the Australian Parliament—who recalled hearing that “this bloke is going to be prime minister one day” from peers at Oxford over four decades ago. 

A rich and layered past was the unifying thread in ‘The Lucky Country Lunch’, with Mr Abbott’s interview opening many opportunities for greater discussion about the eras of Australia, including Lebanese diaspora who came to it in successive waves. It was therefore only appropriate for the event to be attended by so many business and community leaders of Lebanese birth or descent, contributing as always to the mission of WLCU Sydney to raise funds to support the poor in Lebanon, but also to reinforce inter-cultural knowledge between Lebanon and Australia—a key theme for the lunch, as introduced with focus and elegance by its MC Nelly Nassif.

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The Lebanese diaspora in Australia feel a strong sense of connection here, not just because Australia has kindly accepted us, but because Australian soldiers served in Lebanon during both WWI and WWII, and are responsible for Lebanon’s liberation. There are two steles (a tall, upright stone carving) in Lebanon witnessing their presence. One is at Nahr Al Kelb, fifteen kilometres from Beirut.’

Dr Shane Geha

This aspect of the Lebanese-Australian relationship echoed when Dr Geha recalled his late father Afif’s assertion that to be in “heaven” you need only “look outside” at Australia. As was the case for the interview, warm moments like this also became opportunities for deeper insight. Perhaps moved by the picture that Afif’s words painted of himself, Mr Abbott invoked John Howard’s ideal for all Australians to be or become “comfortable and relaxed” about themselves and their nation—a state that is not reflective of where Australia is collectively in 2026. 

The resultant question for a people is how to accomplish a positive shared foundation, and on what kind of leader can best facilitate that. In the tradition of the Roman Senate, Dr Geha quoted the phrase that was offered to new Roman emperors: ‘may you be luckier than Augustus and better than Trajan’, while asking Mr Abbott which leaders in his life he aspired to be as lucky as, and as good as. A stirring prompt for every guest to reflect on their personal leaders, and their own approach to and standards of leadership.

‘The Lucky Country Lunch’ was yet another platform for WLCU Sydney to build community ties at home and abroad, in service as ever of the poor in their time of need in Lebanon. For their ongoing support of WLCU Sydney and the capacity of the organisation to hold events of this scale, a sincere thanks to Bank of Sydney, Harkola Food Providore, EG Real Estate Investments, Blue Chip Projects, Vitex Pharmaceuticals, Elements Dining Group, and Shafbuild; and a final thanks to The Hon. Tony Abbott AC for his involvement with the Lebanese peoples of Australia.