Amway Australia just turned 40. As of today, half of the new distributors joining the business in Australia and New Zealand are under the age of 30. And three days ago, Amway Chairman Steve Van Andel was on hand to cut the ribbon on the fourth Business Centre in Australia.

The new Business Centre is the talk of the town of Coburg, just outside of Melbourne. It’s also spurring conversation about who Amway is today to nearly 2.5 million Australians through print, broadcast and online publications.

It all adds up to a lot of talk in towns – and cities – about Amway’s first overseas affiliate.

Down under, Amway is stepping up its online presence.

Amway Today launched earlier this week. It’s a website designed to attract Australians and New Zealanders to the Amway business by helping them:

• Learn why over 100,000 people in these markets are already their own boss.
• Watch how to build an Amway business with a balance of retailing and sponsoring.
• See who on the Australian celebrity scene has partnered with Amway.

Then, they can visit the new Amway Aspire blog, which highlights – as Regional Managing Director Marek Florczuk says – “people of all walks of life who have gotten up and run for something better.”

There’s a lot to celebrate in Australia’s Hunter Valley wine country this month, thanks to a group of 8,000 Chinese Amway distributors.

Amway China’s 2011 Leadership Seminar will become the biggest corporate gathering ever in the Hunter Valley region when the event kicks off January 14. 

Wineries are adding workers and translators to handle the needs of the group, who will sample local foods, hear indigenous music, and stomp the grapes used to make the region’s legendary wines.   One vintner is even creating a commemorative wine in the group’s honor.

So let’s raise a glass to the 8,000 Chinese distributors who earned the trip and to the Hunter Valley wineries, restaurants and other businesses that will open their doors – and more than a few bottles of wine - for our guests.

This week, the Achievers event for Amway of Australia and New Zealand is taking place on Hamilton Island, rightful home to the highly-publicized “best job in the world.”

It’s one of seven resort islands that are part of the Great Barrier Reef - the only barrier that Amway co-founders Rich DeVos and Jay Van Andel wanted Australians with a dream of starting their own business to think about.  After all, Rich and Jay made Amway an opportunity that is low-risk, low-cost and open to virtually everyone.

Nearly 40 years ago, Australia was Amway’s first expansion outside of North America.  No matter where you live, join us in celebrating the achievements of our distributors down under.