The Baltimore Washington Eagles was a United States Australian Football League (USAFL) team, based in Washington, D.C. , and Baltimore . It was founded in 1998, and includes men's and women's teams that compete at a national level. Several of its players have participated in the USA national team in numerous AFL International Cups , which are held every three years in Melbourne, Australia. The club has won two Division II Championships (1999, 2006), were runners-up in the Division I Championship in 2008, and won the 2017 Arctic Cup in Iceland. The Baltimore Washington Eagles also are affiliated with a kids footy program in the D.C. and Baltimore areas, as well as the AFL-light, tackle-free variation of the sport known as Ausball . The Eagles are affiliated with the West Coast Eagles , being one of only two USAFL teams to share the AFL club's name and wear its colors. At the end of the 2017 season, the Baltimore Washington Eagles voted to expand into two clubs, the DC Eagles and the Baltimore Dockers.
38-637: Australian Rules football started in the DMV area as a competition among Australian expats between the Australian Embassy, D.C. and Baltimore, before developing into a joint team that entered the USAFL in 1998. The Eagles were one of the founding clubs of the USAFL, experiencing immediate success with victory in the Division II Championship in 1999. The early 2000s, however, saw a club that largely receded from
76-564: A century. For many years Australia was represented in Washington, D.C. by trade ministers . The two countries formed official bilateral relations in 1940. The diplomatic mission in Washington D.C., Australia's second-oldest one overseas, included a legation that opened in 1940. The second location for the legation was a large house called White Oaks, located in Woodley Park , and has served as
114-443: A new embassy one block east of their current location. The new marble-clad modernist embassy made of glass, steel, and concrete, opened in 1969. By the 2010s, the embassy needed serious repairs. The Australian government chose to demolish the embassy and build a new 213,600-square-foot (19,844 sq m) replacement with a projected price tag of A$ 236.9 million (US$ 154.7 million). After several years of planning and bureaucratic approvals,
152-511: Is an abundance of Australian art throughout the embassy. Robert Butler (diplomat) Robert Butler (1897-1955) was the United States Ambassador to Australia (1946–48) and Cuba (1948–1951). He died of a heart attack on September 15, 1955. Butler was born in St. Paul, Minnesota and his wife was Margaret Porter. During World War II he was active in shipbuilding. He was
190-581: Is approximately at Observatory Circle , where the US vice president resides at Number One Observatory Circle . In addition to the embassy in Washington, D.C., there are Australian consulates in Chicago , Honolulu , Houston , Los Angeles , New York City , and San Francisco . Although Australia was still a crown colony of the United Kingdom in the late 19th century, there was already foreign representation to
228-448: Is at a premium". The copper panels have been treated to prevent patina . There is a street running north–south through the embassy property and a restaurant with a bar on the first floor. There is a large central atrium to create the feeling of open space with natural light. There are 31 bicycle parking bays and 91 parking spaces, less than normally required for local buildings because of the nearby Dupont Circle Metro station. There
266-467: Is home to Australia's second-oldest overseas diplomatic mission . The first legation was temporarily located in a nine-room house at 1811 24th Street NW in Sheridan-Kalorama . By March of that year, the legation moved into White Oaks, a large house at 3120 Cleveland Avenue NW (also known as 3117 Woodland Drive NW) in Woodley Park that has served as the ambassadorial residence since that time. When
304-481: Is played in the USAFL; most often, but not exclusively, against teams in the eastern region—the New York Magpies , Boston Demons , North Carolina Tigers and Philadelphia Hawks . The Lady Eagles have formed an integral part of the club since its inception. The club does not have a women's team outright, but its Lady Eagles do compete as part of other teams, and women have served in major leadership roles within
342-630: Is the diplomatic mission of the Commonwealth of Australia to the United States. The chancery is located at 1601 Massachusetts Avenue NW on Scott Circle , at the beginning of Embassy Row . The current ambassador is former Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and the Deputy Head of Mission is Paul Myler. The embassy employs more than 250 people. Australia and the US have had strong diplomatic relations for over
380-466: Is where 16th Street NW , M Street NW, Massachusetts Avenue NW , and Rhode Island Avenue NW converge. The property is in Square 181 on Lot 141. Australia's embassy is often called the starting point of Embassy Row , a stretch of Massachusetts Avenue NW and nearby streets where the majority of the embassies and other diplomatic offices are located, often in palatial former residences. The end of Embassy Row
418-602: The National Museum of Women in the Arts featuring art by Aboriginal Australian women; a ceramic installation by Gwyn Hanssen Pigott ; artworks by Aboriginal members of the Papunya , Balgo , and Yuendumu communities; a painting exhibit by Aboriginal artist Loongkoonan ; and renaming the embassy's art gallery after academic and Governor-General of Australia Quentin Bryce . Behind
SECTION 10
#1732884752061456-482: The "red centre, canopies of grey-green eucalyptus " and the exterior resembling salt pans in the Australian desert . The exterior is made of copper alloy panels which John Kelly of The Washington Post described as "thin, taut glass exterior walls that are hung like curtains. This allows architects to create as much floor space as possible — thick walls eat up space — and in a height-restricted city like D.C. , space
494-498: The 26th prime minister of Australia , who was appointed in 2023. Since 2021, the deputy head of mission has been Paul Myler. Describing his design for the new embassy, Bates said, "The current embassy was designed in an era which was all about reflecting Washington and the normal conservative standards of the 1960s. It deferred to the language of Washington. The new embassy defers to the Australian character and synthesises that with
532-600: The Australian government purchased a lot on Scott Circle for A£523,500, with the total project expected to cost A£3.1 million. The land purchased had long been the site of the Windom House, a large residence built in 1881 for Secretary of the Treasury William Windom with later additions designed by James G. Hill . In addition to Windom, notable occupants of the house included Senator James G. Blaine , publisher Charles Allen Munn , Representative Richard S. Aldrich ,
570-611: The DC Eagles. The playing side voted two split into two clubs at the end of the 2017 season, where they sent Men's Div I, Men's Div II, and Women's Div II teams to USAFL Nationals. Players from D.C., Northern Virginia and Baltimore form the men's playing group. Five times a year the Baltimore Dockers and D.C. Eagles play in a series called the Battle of the Beltway . The remainder of the season
608-552: The Division I Championship in 2008 to an all-star Canadian team. The Eagles were, however, the best American team in that year. From 2011 to 2015, the team fell into decline, dropping to the lowest division, Division IV, in 2015. However, the club experienced a revival in 2016 largely due to the dedication of two new coaches from Australia, former Collingwood player Dannie Seow and former Gold Coast Suns development assistant Dean Vigus. Their arrival had an immediate impact on-field, with
646-613: The Eagles jumping from Division IV in 2015 to Division II in 2016. The club underwent a major recruitment drive to strengthen the team, and promote the club and game within the DC-Maryland-Northern Virginia community. Due to efforts on and off the fields between the 2017 board and coaching staff, the Baltimore Washington Eagles gained the membership levels to split into two independent clubs, the Baltimore Dockers and
684-610: The Peruvian Embassy, and the last occupant, the Catholic Daughters of the Americas . The house was demolished after Australian officials purchased the land. In 1967, a groundbreaking ceremony took place with Australia's Minister for External Affairs Paul Hasluck and US Secretary of State Dean Rusk in attendance. The seven-story modernist building was designed by Bates, Smart and McCutcheon . The off-white marble building
722-597: The US . Beginning in 1947, the embassy operated out of the Wilkins House, which is currently the Embassy of Peru and was designed by Jules Henri de Sibour . In 1973 the building was sold to the Peruvian government. In 1951, the two countries joined New Zealand to form a security agreement called ANZUS , a treaty that is still in force between Australia and the US. By the 1960s, the embassy needed more office space. In 1965,
760-570: The United States. Although these were not official legations , they were referred to as legations in news reports in 1876 and 1890. From 1918 to 1930, after the Great Depression began, the Federation was represented to the US by trade ministers . Representation by trade ministers resumed in 1938 and continued until 1940. On January 8, 1940, the Australian and American governments established official diplomatic relations . The United States
798-404: The ambassadorial residence since that time. In 1946, the US upgraded both legations of Australia and the US from legations to embassies, with Robert Butler serving as the first Australian ambassador to the US . For approximately two decades, the embassy was located in the Wilkins House, currently the Embassy of Peru . After running out of office space, embassy officials announced plans to build
SECTION 20
#1732884752061836-498: The club. It remains a high priority for the club to develop women's footy in the D.C. and Baltimore areas. The Eagles run a kids footy program called Saturday Morning Footy , which is conducted on Saturday mornings throughout the spring and summer. The aim of the program is to introduce Australian football to younger generations, and promote sport, fitness and a healthy lifestyle among kids. Embassy of Australia, Washington, D.C. The Embassy of Australia in Washington, D.C.
874-677: The embassy stood a memorial to the victims of the Bakers Creek air crash , in which 40 American World War II soldiers died in Australia in 1943. The memorial was unveiled at the World War II Memorial in June 2006 and later moved to the embassy until it could be placed at an American cemetery. Two US senators brought the issue to a vote in the Senate in 2007. Because embassies are considered foreign soil,
912-471: The embassy. For decades the embassy has hosted social, educational, and artistic events. Previous events and artists hosted by embassy officials include: an eight-week course on the history of Australia ; an exhibit of John Coburn 's tapestries; an exhibit featuring Ben Shearer 's watercolor paintings of the Outback ; drawings of World War II sailors and soldiers by Louis Kahan ; co-hosting an exhibit with
950-473: The legation first opened, there were only five staff members. In March of that year, Richard Gardiner Casey was appointed the first Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary to the US. A few months later in July, Clarence E. Gauss was appointed the first Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary to Australia. In 1941, Prime Minister Robert Menzies became the first Australian prime minister to visit
988-413: The local precinct character". According to Wish 's Luke Slattery, Bates designer Kristen Whittle "felt strongly that this time the firm needed to build something uniquely Australian, and not just lard it with Australiana ". One difference between the old embassy and new one is the original's sterile modernism, while the new embassy has a more unique and contemporary design. Bates' design was inspired by
1026-616: The lot. Work by Clark Construction began in November 2020. Due to cost overruns associated with the COVID-19 pandemic , supply chain issues, and the Australian dollar 's weakness to the United States dollar , the estimated cost to build the new embassy was $ A337 million ($ 215 million US). The embassy topped out in August 2021 and opened on August 14, 2023. The current ambassador is Kevin Rudd ,
1064-409: The memorial was moved in 2009 to Arlington National Cemetery . A rededication ceremony took place on June 14, 2009, on the 66th anniversary of the crash. By 2014, the embassy's condition was deteriorating. Scaffolding and cladding were erected to prevent parts of the façade dislodging from the building. At this time the Australian government was considering options to repair it. In 2014, a decision
1102-424: The new 213,600-square-foot (19,844 sq m) embassy was unveiled in late 2016, with a selection of planned interior and exterior photos. In regard to the façade, facing one of the city's many traffic circles , Bates studio director Tim Leslie said it "is quite significant for Canberra ...you are approaching this building from a multitude of different angles". The design was intended to resemble government buildings on
1140-484: The new embassy opened in August 2023 at a total cost of $ A337 million. It was designed by Bates Smart and Washington, D.C. local firm KCCT. The exterior is clad in copper alloy panels, and a large atrium is in the center of the building to provide natural lighting. The embassy is located at 1601 Massachusetts Avenue NW on the northwest corner of Scott Circle and a few blocks north of the White House . The traffic circle
1178-407: The new legation. His visit to Washington, D.C. was a time to speak with government officials, including President Franklin D. Roosevelt , about World War II . On January 9, 1946, White House officials announced the upgrading of both legations to embassy status. Robert Butler served as the first American ambassador to Australia and Norman Makin served as the first Australian ambassador to
Baltimore Washington Eagles - Misplaced Pages Continue
1216-506: The president of Walter Butler Shipbuilders Inc. and Walter Butler Shipbuilding -Duluth which built a number of cargo ships in Duluth, Minnesota and Superior, Wisconsin during the war. According to a former aide, Butler had been the focus of an assassination plot during his term as Ambassador to Cuba. A large statue of Cuban independence leader Jose Marti inside City Hall in St. Paul, Minnesota,
1254-464: The south side and residential buildings on the north side. Leslie said "The building appears more solid as you are approaching from the north, towards the White House. Coming from the other way...it has a much more civic nature: open and glass." In June 2017, embassy officials began the process of seeking approval from the local Office of Zoning to build the new facility. An application fee of $ 88,500
1292-478: The upper echelons of the competition, becoming more of a social network for newcomers to the Beltway, rather than a serious outfit on the ground. That shifted in 2006 when the club returned to the winners list, taking out the Division II Championship in Las Vegas. The club remained one of the strongest sides in the league for several seasons thereafter, with the club competing in Division I from 2007 to 2011, and losing
1330-664: Was completed in 1969 and opened to the public on June 20th of that year. An outdoor sculpture called Australian Seal , by artist Thomas Bass , was installed outside the new building. The sculpture depicts a kangaroo , an emu , and a shield representing Australia's six states . The pointy object above the shield represents the Northern Territory . The interior featured an eclectic design, including swivel chairs resting on blue kangaroo rugs. Artwork by Sidney Nolan , Albert Tucker , and John Perceval , along with sculptures by Arthur Boyd and Inge King , were featured throughout
1368-412: Was made to demolish the embassy and replace it with a new building at a cost of $ A236.9 million. The land, which had a value of A$ 57 million, was to be kept and a new building was planned for the site. The final approval took place in 2017 to build the new embassy. Bates Smart and Washington, D.C.-based architectural firm KCCT were chosen to design the new facility on November 15, 2016. The design of
1406-643: Was not included as a contributing property to the historic district. The same applies to the new embassy, so approval from the Historic Preservation Review Board was unnecessary. In 2019, embassy staff, numbering over 250 people, were moved to a temporary office space owned by the National Geographic Society at 1145 17th Street NW. Beginning in October 2019, it took around one year for the old embassy to be demolished and to excavate
1444-539: Was paid later that month. Along with the money sent, embassy officials included a letter of approval from the US State Department , a copy of the surveyor's plat , and other documents. Like all structures facing 16th Street NW from H Street NW to Florida Avenue , the site is included in the Sixteenth Street Historic District . Due to the previous embassy's date of construction and design, it
#60939