The Newcastle born-and-raised Arthur Sinodinos has begun his job as Australia's Ambassador to the USA.
Mr Sinodinos posted a picture on Twitter on Friday afternoon, Australian time, of him and his wife Elizabeth in the Oval Office with President Donald Trump after the former Novocastrian officially presented the credentials of his new role.
"I could not be more proud or humbled to represent Australia as custodian of our most important bilateral relationship," he said in the post.
The former Liberal senator for NSW and one-time prime ministerial advisor to John Howard grew up in the Hunter, attending Newcastle East Public School and Newcastle Technical High School before he trained in economics and commerce at the University of Newcastle.
The university gave him an Honorary Doctorate for outstanding service to politics and public service in December.
Mr Sinodinos takes over the ambassador role from former Liberal Federal Treasurer Joe Hockey.
