Dr. Stephanie Fletcher-Lartey appointed Honorary Consul Designate for Jamaica in Australia
Founder and Immediate Past President of the Jamaican Association of Australia Transitions to Key Diplomatic Role to Serve Diaspora and Enhance Bilateral Relations
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA – Dr. Stephanie Fletcher-Lartey has been officially appointed as the new Honorary Consul Designate for Jamaica in Australia, based in Sydney, New South Wales. The milestone announcement was made during the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Jamaican Association of Australia (JAA) on Thursday, July 30th by the former Honorary Consul Emeritus Professor Diane Austin-Broos.
The appointment comes as Dr. Fletcher-Lartey, the visionary founder and long-standing President of the JAA, officially handed over the reins of the association to a newly elected Executive Committee, closing a prominent chapter of community leadership to step into diplomatic service.
From Grassroots Community Building to Diplomatic Representation
Dr. Fletcher-Lartey’s journey of diaspora leadership began in 2009 when she arrived in Australia as an international student pursuing her PhD at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS). Experiencing the geographic isolation familiar to many migrants, she sought to build a supportive community.
What began as a Facebook group quickly evolved into a real-world community. In 2012, coinciding with Jamaica’s 50th Anniversary of Independence, Dr. Fletcher-Lartey brought together a founding group of ten Jamaicans in Sydney. Together, they established the Jamaican Association of Australia (JAA) to serve as the peak organisation for cultural preservation, diaspora welfare, and safeguarding “Brand Jamaica” for future generations of Jamaican-Australians.
“When I first arrived in Australia, finding a connection to home was essential not just for myself, but for every Jamaican trying to navigate life in Australia “ said Dr. Fletcher-Lartey.
“To see how far our community has come over the last 14 years is deeply moving. Stepping into the role of Honorary Consul is both a profound honour and a continuation of the work we started: ensuring our diaspora is supported, visible, and connected to home.“
Expanding the Regional Footprint
Beyond her decade-long presidency at the JAA, Dr. Fletcher-Lartey’s advocacy extended across the hemisphere. From 2023 to 2025, she served as the Representative for Asia and the Pacific on the Global Jamaica Diaspora Council (GJDC). Working closely with the Embassy of Jamaica in Tokyo (which holds jurisdiction over Australia), Jamaica High Commission in New Delhi and The Jamaican Embassy in Beijing, she spearheaded key initiatives in disaster relief, civic empowerment, consular access, and bilateral engagements across the region.
Her appointment as Honorary Consul has been warmly welcomed by community leaders, Australian stakeholders, and international diplomatic partners. In her new position, Dr. Fletcher-Lartey will oversee consular assistance for Jamaican nationals in Australia and foreign nationals, promote trade and cultural exchange, and strengthen ties between Jamaica and Australia.
Media Contact & Inquiries
Consulate of Jamaica – Sydney, Australia
Location: 4 Sanananda Road, Bardia, New South Wales 2565, Australia
Email: drsteph@stephaniemahaliafletcher.com
Phone: +61431040028
