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50+ FEATURE ARTISTS AND EIGHT REGIONS CONFIRMED FOR GREAT SOUTHERN NIGHTS
New South Wales’ ground-breaking music event is tuning up for a spectacular month of gigs with over 50 Australian artists and eight regions confirmed for the Great Southern Nights lineup, which forms part of the NSW Government’s COVID-19 Recovery Plan.
Ocean Alley, AB Original, Julia Stone and Troy Cassar-Daley with Kasey Chambers are among the feature artists who will perform as part of the 1000 COVID-safe gigs across NSW this November.
Great Southern Nights is a NSW Government initiative delivered by Destination NSW in partnership with the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA), and was created to kick start the NSW entertainment, hospitality and tourism industries in response to COVID-19.
Minister for Jobs, Investment, Tourism and Western Sydney Stuart Ayres said artists and the live-music industry have shown overwhelming support for the program.
“We are excited to get this COVIDSafe show on the road in consultation with NSW Health,” Mr Ayres said.
“To have acts like The Rubens, Jack River and Tex Perkins among the lineup demonstrates how Great Southern Nights will showcase the diversity of Australia’s music scene against the backdrop of our great state.
“We’re on track for big-name Australian artists to play in the Blue Mountains, Central Coast, Country NSW, the Hunter, North Coast, Outback NSW, the South Coast and Sydney, and the program is developing every day.
“Plus, we have around 900 gigs with established and emerging artists being programmed by Sydney and NSW venues in collaboration with ARIA. Great Southern Nights will make a real difference for communities recovering from drought, bushfires and COVID-19.”
The feature artists program is being curated by ARIA in consultation with Destination NSW. Applications for venues and feature artists are now closed and are currently being assessed.
All 1000 gigs will take place in NSW during Australian Music Month - November - culminating in the annual ARIA Awards held in Sydney.
ARIA CEO Dan Rosen said Great Southern Nights was a unique music event that would be delivered in a year of extraordinary challenges.
“The feedback we’re getting from industry is that Great Southern Nights is exactly what they need after months away from live performance,” Mr Rosen said.
All Great Southern Nights gigs will be COVID-safe and delivered in line with the latest NSW Health advice. For more information, go to www.greatsouthernnights.com.au.
INCREASED MOBILITY ON NSW VIC BORDER
Key changes have been made to ease restrictions on the NSW Victorian border to help residents and local businesses operate as Victoria continues to battle COVID-19.
A single border region has been reinstated that extends to around 50 kilometres on either side of the border, coming into effect today.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian thanked the patience of border communities and said the NSW Government was pleased to make these changes given the reduced risk of community transmission in regional Victoria.
“We are working hard to reduce the angst and frustration caused by this border closure,” Ms Berejiklian said.
Deputy Premier John Barilaro said making adjustments to restrictions will provide more freedom to those living on both sides of the southern border.
“Last week I travelled to the southern border town of Albury-Wodonga to meet with business owners and families along with the education, health, construction, and social services industries who have been disaffected by the border closure,” Mr Barilaro said.
“In listening to the community it was immediately clear that we needed to make some changes, which included extending mobility within the 50 kilometre border region.”
The new permit allows a resident within the border region to enter NSW for the following:
· To obtain necessary goods or services;
· For care or other compassionate reasons; and
· To attend work or obtain educational services.
To read the full media release, click here.
NSW GOVERNMENT SUPPORTS STREETON
Visitors to the Art Gallery of New South Wales in Sydney will have the opportunity to see the beauty of NSW through the lens of iconic Australian Impressionist, Arthur Streeton, whose work captivated the nation from the 1880s to the 1940s.
The NSW Government, through Destination NSW, is supporting the landmark summer exhibition, with tickets going on sale this week.
Minister for Jobs, Investment, Tourism and Western Sydney Stuart Ayres said Streeton will offer visitors and locals the chance to appreciate the work of one of Australia’s most iconic artists.
“Streeton is a must-see for lovers of Australian spirit, land and history. It is a unique opportunity to see the beauty of NSW through the artist’s lens as some of Arthur Streeton’s greatest works were painted in Sydney, the Blue Mountains and the Hawkesbury,” Mr Ayres said.
“This exhibition is a reminder of the extraordinary sites and natural landscapes we have in our own backyard, and the perfect reason to visit one of Sydney’s most esteemed cultural institutions, while ultimately helping to rebuild our visitor economy.”
Minister for the Arts, Don Harwin said Streeton will be an unmissable event on the state’s cultural calendar.
“Streeton will feature more than 150 paintings, drawings and watercolours from 42 public and private collections, with some not exhibited for more than 100 years,” Mr Harwin said.
Streeton will open at the Art Gallery of NSW on Saturday 7 November 2020. Tickets will be available to purchase at www.artgallery.nsw.gov.au.
All NSW businesses, residents and visitors must follow the latest NSW Health advice. For information, go to www.nsw.gov.au/COVID-19.
42 REASONS TO LOVE NSW
42 unknown, untouched and unmissable treasures across Sydney and regional NSW have been featured in the Qantas Magazine, Qantas Travel Insider and through their Instagram channel (@qftravelinsider) in July and August, as part of the NSW Government’s Love NSW campaign.
The coverage, secured by Destination NSW, is part of an integrated editorial content partnership, reaching a combined print and online audience of more than 8.4 million.
Destination NSW Chief Executive Officer Steve Cox said the 16-page spread highlights some of the state’s best culinary, accommodation, adventure, arts and culture experiences NSW has to offer.
“Whether it’s the world-class food and wine in Mudgee, kayaking to a hidden beach on Sydney Harbour or glamping on an off-grid farm on the Sapphire Coast, NSW is full of one-of-a-kind experiences,” Mr Cox said.
“We want to make sure NSW is always taking centre stage, now and well beyond 2020, and securing this type of coverage gives us another valuable platform to tell the beautiful NSW story to Australia and the rest of the world.”
To view the '42 reasons to love NSW’ coverage, click here.
Love NSW is a multi-year marketing program encouraging people to stay ‘locally’ and spend ‘locally’ in Sydney and regional NSW. Destination NSW continues to evolve the campaign to reflect current conditions.
Image: The Zin House, Mudgee
TICKETS NOW ON SALE FOR HAMILTON
Tickets went on sale this week for the Australian premiere of Hamilton, set to open at the Sydney Lyric Theatre in March 2021 with the support of Destination NSW.
Minister for Jobs, Investment, Tourism and Western Sydney Stuart Ayres said the announcement provided a major morale boost not only for dedicated fans of the globally-renowned musical, but everyone in NSW.
“This year has been defined by so many difficult and unprecedented challenges, so it is fantastic that we have something as sought after as the Australian premiere of Hamilton in Sydney to look forward to in 2021,” Mr Ayres said.
“The interest in pre-sale tickets was phenomenal, which goes to show the public’s confidence in the management of COVID risks, as well as the extraordinary demand for this amazing show.
“The NSW Government is committed to supporting musicals of this high calibre because we know of the many cultural, social and economic benefits it will deliver to our state, including a myriad of professional opportunities in the creative industries.”
Hamilton’s Australian Producer, Michael Cassel said, “Planning for the Australian production started almost five years ago and although this year has presented us with unique challenges, we are absolutely committed to opening Hamilton in March 2021. Casting for the Australian company is almost finalised, the set is being built and fabric for the costumes has been sourced. We can’t wait to get into the theatre next March and for Sydney audiences to see it.”
To purchase tickets to the Australian premiere of Hamilton, visit ticketmaster.com.au.
All NSW businesses, residents and visitors must follow the latest NSW Health advice. For information, go to www.nsw.gov.au/COVID-19.
Image credit: Joan Marcus
NEW INTERACTIVE DESTINATION GUIDE FOR SYDNEY
A collection of Sydney tourism operators including Sea Life Aquarium, Dreamtime Southern X and Sydney Harbour Boat Tours star in a new interactive destination guide, co-funded by the City of Sydney.
Sydney360 is an online city guide using 360 degree photography from the air, land and sea to create a stunning virtual tour of Sydney.
The concept is the brainchild of Mark Dalgleish, owner of Sydney Harbour Boat Tours whose family-run business was devastated by COVID-19, along with the rest of Sydney’s tourism industry.
“We were all in the same boat. Hundreds of small businesses and guides who relied almost entirely on international visitors were facing closures and unemployment. So rather than sit back and wait for handouts we got a small group of operators to think outside the box and fight back,” said Mr Dalgleish.
Although Sydney360 includes some of Sydney’s major attractions such as Merlin Entertainment’s Wild Life Zoo, most of the businesses are small independent operators such as Margret Campbell from Indigenous tour company Dreamtime Southern X, who’s Welcome to Country sets the scene.
Sydney360 is free and accessible on any device. Users get a birdseye view of Sydney and can navigate their own journey to places and activities of interest.
NEW LUXURY ACCOMMODATION IN GERRINGONG
A luxurious Australian coastal holiday property on the NSW South Coast will open for bookings in October, designed for extended groups and intimate retreats.
Located in Gerringong, ‘The Pause’ by SOUL Home is two-hours’ drive south of Sydney, and is within walking distance to the main village, Werri Beach and Boat Harbour swimming spot. Award-winning restaurants, wineries and cooking schools are all nearby.
The property shares their signature Australian coastal, classy-cool aesthetic with introduced influences from the tropics. Luxurious properties of The Bahamas, Indonesia and that classic Singaporean style were all strong influences in the design and style of The Pause.
The property has five bedrooms each with their own bathrooms. The lower floor is dedicated to the social spaces and guest bedrooms, while upstairs offers the master guest bedroom and study. The L-shaped entertaining spaces flow to the tropically-landscaped outdoor level lawn and solar heated pool, while the kitchen features an over-sized concrete island bench.
The journey of The Pause has been documented in a five-part online series, from the initial design, construction then styling – and everything in between.
Holiday bookings for The Pause open in October 2020, via www.thepause.com.au.
NEW DOCUMENTARY FOR SLIM DUSTY
The premiere of the feature documentary Slim & I took place at Majestic Cinemas in Kempsey yesterday.
Slim & I tells the incredible story of a partnership between Slim Dusty and Australia's own "Queen of Country Music", Joy McKean.
Mayor of Kempsey Shire Council Liz Campbell said, “Unfortunately the Slim Dusty Kempsey Festival had to be cancelled for 2020, but being able to have the Australian and World Premiere of this film in Kempsey means we can still celebrate the music, the man and the partnership between two legends of Australian music.”
Slim and I officially hits cinemas from 10 September 2020.
EVENTS TO MARK THE 2020 BROKEN HEEL FESTIVAL
To mark what would have been the 2020 Broken Heel Festival, three fun events will be held at The Palace Hotel from 11 – 13 September, honouring one of regional NSW’s most colourful events.
On Friday 11 September, Broken Hill’s landmark Palace Hotel will host an interactive screening of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, followed by a three-hour live stream of entertainment on Saturday and a bingo event on Sunday.
For more information on the three events, click here.
To discover more about Broken Hill, proud host city of Broken Heel Festival, click here.
QUICK TIPS' WEB TUTORIALS
Destination NSW has launched six Quick Tips' web tutorials as part of its NSW First program.
The tutorial videos help tourism businesses take the next steps to recovery. Find out how to stay in touch with customers, maintain relationships with media and distribution partners and develop new areas of business.
To view these, click here.
Destination NSW delivers the NSW First program to assist tourism businesses around the state to develop, promote and sell their tourism products.
The program includes face-to-face workshops and online webcasts that offer ‘how-to’ insights on a range of topics for the tourism industry.
