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LIGHTS, CAMERA ACTION - SYDNEY FILM FESTIVAL NOW SCREENING!
The 66th Sydney Film Festival officially launched this week, with Australia’s premier film event set to showcase more than 250 of the greatest, strangest and most exciting works that cinema has to offer.
Between 5–16 June 2019, be the first to see new festival favourites and award-winners, dramas, documentaries, thrillers, animations, comedies, cross-genre experiments and art house cinema from across the world.
First timers and movie-buffs will be equally delighted with this year’s line-up, with SFF screenings set to show at seven cinemas across Sydney, from the city’s lavish State Theatre, Event Cinemas, and Art Gallery of NSW to Newtown, Randwick, Cremorne, Moore Park and Casula.
The festival kicked off at the State Theatre with the World Premiere of the highly anticipated Australian production, Palm Beach.
Set at Sydney’s spectacular Northern Beaches, the film follows lifelong friends who gather to celebrate a milestone birthday, only for tension to mount when new and old resentments arise, along with the threat of an old secret coming to light.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian attended the opening, noting the ongoing support of the NSW Government.
“As one of the world’s longest-running film festivals, I’m delighted to build on our support for the Festival and Travelling Film Festival over the next four years with increased funding of over $5 million, and look forward to the exciting plans in store.”
The Festival is a major event on the New South Wales cultural calendar and is one of the world’s longest-running film festivals, which is supported through Create NSW and Destination NSW.
For more information on show times and ticketing visit: sff.org.au
SYDNEY 7S SET TO HEAD WEST
The HSBC Sydney 7s is headed west with the new state-of-the-art Bankwest Stadium set to host the 2020 tournament from 1-2 February.
Following three successful years at Allianz Stadium and a fourth at Spotless Stadium at Sydney Olympic Park, players and fans from right across the globe will descend on the heart of Western Sydney at Parramatta to celebrate the tournament next year.
Minister for Jobs, Investment, Tourism and Western Sydney Stuart Ayres said Bankwest Stadium will be the perfect fit for the HSBC Sydney 7s tournament.
“The Sydney 7s is an exciting event in our State’s calendar - it’s as much about the enthusiastic fans in the stands as it is about the players on the field,” Mr Ayres said.
“About half of Sydney’s population lives in Western Sydney and it’s among the fastest growing regions in NSW, so it makes perfect sense to hold this fantastic multicultural sporting event at the new state-of-the-art Bankwest Stadium, where there isn’t a bad seat in the house!
“Not only will it help grow the game of rugby union, but it will also encourage more people to spend a weekend in Western Sydney and make the most of what this beautiful region has to offer.”
Supported by the NSW Government’s tourism and major events agency Destination NSW, the HSBC Sydney 7s combines world-class rugby with a festival atmosphere, featuring live bands, rides and interactive entertainment.
Fans are encouraged to register at sydney7s.com.au to take advantage of early-bird prices.
Caption: Minister Stuart Ayres, Tim Anstee, Emma Sykes, Rugby Australia CEO Raelene Castle, Member for Parramatta Geoff Lee, Nick Malouf
THE COLD NEVER BOTHERED ME ANYWAY - NSW WELCOMES BEST SNOWFALL IN 20 YEARS!
With over 75cm of snow hitting areas within the State this week, a number of NSW’s ski fields will be opening their gates early to keen revellers who are set to strap on their skis and snowboards for a weekend on slopes.
This week, the Perisher team have made the call to open a number of resorts, including the iconic Perisher Valley, Blue Cow, Smiggin Holes and Guthega later this week. Whether you’re after a weekend of speeding down the mountainsides, or some schnapps in a secluded cabin, there’s something for everyone in store this season.
Thredbo will also be welcoming winter with an impressive line-up of entertainment and excitement, including performances from Aussie electronic duo Bag Raiders, who headlining a free concert in the Village Square on Saturday with Mickey Kojak, Purple Sneakers and Close Encounters, ending the night with a bang, they’re also putting on the region’s biggest fireworks display!
The king of carving, Kenji Ogawa, will be also be firing up his chisel and chainsaw to create an ice sculpture that is set to become the centrepiece of the popular Mumm Long Lunch.
For the little ones, Thredbo will also play host to a roving magician, a village wide treasure hunt, face painting and art sessions, it’s set to me a magical weekend of winter wonder down south this season!
MORE TOURISTS TO CHOOSE MAITLAND THANKS TO NSW GOVERNMENT FUNDING
Next time you’re considering a NSW getaway, Make it Maitland – that’s the message of the NSW Government’s latest tourism marketing campaign, in partnership with Maitland City Council.
Minister for Tourism Stuart Ayres said the campaign, which was launched this week encourages Sydney-siders to plan a visit, as well as those who live two to four hours’ drive from Maitland.
“The NSW Government, through its tourism and major events agency Destination NSW, is proud to contribute $100,000 to the Make it Maitland campaign, which will be matched dollar for dollar by Maitland City Council,” Mr Ayres said.
“Maitland charms visitors of all ages with its intriguing heritage, food festivals, delicious eateries and bustling markets.
“Maitland is also home to eclectic regional events like the Aroma Coffee and Chocolate Festival, Riverlights Multicultural Festival, and Bitter and Twisted Festival.
“Being within such easy reach of Sydney makes Maitland a perfect weekend getaway and, for those living further afield, Newcastle Airport is only 25km from the city centre and offers direct flights to and from east coast cities and Adelaide.”
The campaign is funded through the State Government’s Regional Tourism Fund.
See here for the video.
MERIMBULA JAZZ FESTIVAL IN FULL SWING
This weekend, the 39th annual Merimbula Jazz Festival in 2019 gets into full swing!
Every Queen's Birthday weekend, the town plays as the home of the “Festival for Musicians” – creating one of the State’s most memorable musical experience year on year.
Jazz lovers adore this seaside festival, celebrating music across 3 days with hundreds of musicians and performers.
Features of the weekend are the Jazz Street Parade and Concert, Saturday night Jazz Quest and the late night jam session which has the town rocking until well into the wee hours.
See here for more.
VENUES REVEALED FOR 2020 HOCKEY CHAMPIONSHIPS
Hockey Australia has announced Bathurst and Moorebank as the hosts for the 2020 Under-15s and Under-21s Australian Championships respectively, as part of the organisation’s five-year partnership with the NSW Government’s tourism and major events agency Destination NSW.
The 2020 Under-15s Australian Championships will be played at Bathurst Hockey Centre from 17 to 23 April next year, while the Under-21s event will be held at Moorebank Liverpool District Hockey Club from 8 to 15 July 2020.
Hockey Australia CEO Matt Favier said, “All host venues secured through Destination NSW have been excellent and we look forward to that continuing in 2020.” All Championship results and ladders will be available at Hockey Australia.
SYDNEY AIRPORT LAUNCHES NEW ASSISTANCE SERVICE
Sydney Airport has partnered with Medical Travel Companions to launch a new service, aimed at helping passengers who require extra assistance.
The new service will allow passengers to engage a qualified companion to assist them throughout the airport journey and beyond.
These companions provide assistance to passengers including families with young children, people with disabilities, elderly travellers and passengers recovering from injury or surgery, among others.
Passengers seeking assistance can book their companion online.
