The Honorary Consul (Perth)
Mr. Max de Vietri
BSc (App Geol), MAICD, MAusIMM, GAICD

Mr. de Vietri graduated as a Geologist from the University of New South Wales in 1975. He has 30 years experience working with major Australian and international mining and petroleum companies in Australia, Africa, Europe, the Middle East, Asia and South America.

Mr de Vietri is CEO and Managing Director of Baraka Petroleum Ltd, a Perth based ASX listed company specialising in West Africa.

He identified major investment opportunities and was instrumental in the signing of a number of agreements with various governments in West Africa for gold, diamond and petroleum exploration. Mr de Vietri has been a significant contributor to the present interest in and development of West African oil and gas provinces. He has exceptional knowledge of local industry and Government in West Africa.

Mr. Max de Vietri has forged strong relationships with governments of West and North Africa, who have seen him as an important facilitator of both trade and economic development between the region and Western companies, particularly mining and petroleum.

On 6 April 2005 Mr. de Vietri received his exequatur admitting him to the exercise of his function as Honorary Consul for the Republic of Mali in Perth with jurisdiction throughout Western Australia, South Australia and Northern Territory.

In April 2006, Max de Vietri became Officer of the Order of Mauritania.

The Honorary Consul (Melbourne)
Professor Philip Hamilton

Professor Hamilton is the Honorary Consul for Mali with jurisdiction throughout Victoria, Queensland, New South Wales, Australian Capital Territory and Tasmania.

His role is to promote Mali as a destination for both tourism and business, in collaboration with the Honorary Consulate in Perth, by providing a first point of contact for Australian individuals and businesses, both of which have shown a rapidly growing interest in this fascinating and commercially attractive country
which offers so many opportunities for investment and
exploration.

Professor Hamilton graduated from Monash University with degrees in Arts in Spanish and French in 1970 and in Laws with Honours in 1971.

Professor Hamilton has practised in the field of business law as a solicitor in Victoria for over 33 years, and is the author of ‘The Small Business Handbook’ and numerous published articles. He has served on numerous committees both in the legal profession and in commerce and charities. He has also served in the Australian Army Reserve since 1967, and holds the rank of Colonel.

He is also a senior practising notary, with a special interest in preparing notarial documents in Spanish, French and Portuguese. He is the Associate Director of Notarial Studies in the Sir Zelman Cowen Centre for Continuing Legal Education at Victoria University in Melbourne, where he teaches the post-graduate Diploma of Notarial Practice.

Professor Hamilton is an associate member of the Unión Internacional del Notariado Latino, which is based in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and represents Civil Law notaries around the world, including the Chambre des Notaires of Mali.

The Honorary Vice-Consul (Perth)
Mr. Raphaël de Vietri

After graduating from Hale School, Western Australia, Raphael de Vietri was awarded an Excellence Scholarship by the University of Western Australia to read for the degrees of Bachelor of Laws/Bachelor Arts. His major interests are in philosophy, political science and international relations. He is formally a member of the University's Academic Board and is currently the Treasurer of the Guild of Undergraduates.

Mr. de Vietri has held research internships at the Department of International Humanitarian Law of the Australian Red Cross and at the Centre for Muslim States and Societies at the University of Western Australia.

His interest in international relations and humanitarian affairs in French speaking West Africa lead him to work closely with the other two Honorary Consuls to establish diplomatic relations between the Mali and Australia when the opportunity arose in early 2004. In April 2004 he was appointed Secretary of the Consulate of Mali in Perth. As Secretary, he oversaw the bridging of the two nations' diplomatic relations through running the newly established Consulate and managing the Honorary Consul's official affairs and engagements.

On 11 January 2006 Mr. de Vietri was himself admitted as Honorary Vice-Consul by the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. As Honorary Vice-Consul his primary responsibilities are Visa Operations and Government Liaison. The Honorary Vice-Consul also assumes charge of the Consular Post during the Honorary Consul's absences.