No Images? Click here STATE'S BEST TOURISM STUDENTS HONOUREDTwelve of the State’s best and brightest tourism and hospitality students were recognised in a special ceremony at NSW Parliament House yesterday to mark the 2018 Minister’s Student Achiever Awards. NSW Minister for Tourism and Major Events Adam Marshall congratulated the award recipients and commended them for their commitment to excellence in an industry critical to the State’s economy. “Tourism is big business and today we are rewarding the future generation of stars in the industry to commend them for their efforts and encourage them to continue on this promising path,” Mr Marshall said. “NSW is home to some of the best tertiary institutions in the industry. The combination of quality facilities and world-class teachers makes for excellent learning environments to foster our future industry leaders.” Since 1990, the NSW Government has acknowledged academically high achieving tourism and hospitality students at an annual Minister’s Student Achiever Awards ceremony. For the full list of winners, visit Destination NSW. NRL GRAND FINAL FEVER HITS SYDNEYThe hometown Sydney Roosters will take on defending champions the Melbourne Storm in this Sunday’s NRL Grand Final at ANZ Stadium. It will be a history making occasion, with the first ever Women’s Grand Final to be played ahead of the men’s match. The season deciders will cap a week of Grand Final festivities, including the annual Fan Fest which was held at the Entertainment Quarter on Thursday and the Dally M Awards, which saw Roger Tuivasa-sheck pick up the NRL’s top individual honour during the gala at the Overseas Passenger Terminal on Wednesday night. The NRL Grand Final attracts visitors from around Australia and the world to Sydney, with hotels, restaurants, bars and tourist attractions set for a bumper long weekend. Last year’s final between the Melbourne Storm and North Queensland Cowboys attracted 33,000 overnight visitors, injecting almost $23 million into the local visitor economy. The NRL Grand Final is supported by the NSW Government via its tourism and major events agency, Destination NSW. Australian alternative rock act Gang of Youths are this year’s headline act for the pre-game entertainment. Tickets to the NRL Grand Final are available via tickets.nrl.com/grand-final. WHAT TO DO THIS LONG WEEKENDThis October long weekend there are so many things to do in Sydney and across the whole of NSW, from theatre shows and botanical exhibits to regional food trails. At Sydney Opera House, the magical theatre production of Bambert’s Book of Lost Stories, runs from 29 Sep to 6 Oct, exploring the power of storytelling. Beautiful but deadly, Plants with Bite is a free and fascinating display of carnivorous plants at The Calyx, Royal Botanical Gardens. For a celebration of diverse music and Aussie beach culture, head to Manly Jazz at Manly Beach. On the North Coast, the Brunswick Nature Sculpture Walk displays over 50 Australian artworks in the seaside landscape of Brunswick Heads. On the Coffs Coast, the annual Curryfest highlights the Punjabi heritage of beachside town Woolgoolga. In Western Sydney, the Auburn Festival returns from 2-6pm on 29 September with food, carnival rides and music. The nearby Auburn Botanic Gardens is well worth a visit, particularly in Spring. Head into the heart of New England farming country and stay in Armidale. On 30 September there’s a traditional country festival, The Kentucky Spring Fair, with hobby horse races, tug-o-war, cake decorating competitions and more. The Deni Ute Muster celebrates all things Aussie in Deniliquin in the Riverina region from 28 to 29 September. Enjoy ute driving competitions and live music. NSW GOVERNMENT PROVIDES BOOST TO DUNGOG FESTIVALThe countdown is on to the 2018 Dungog Festival, with the NSW Government announcing its support of the Upper Hunter’s friendly four-day community event. Member for Upper Hunter Michael Johnsen said the event will be supported by the State’s tourism and major events agency, Destination NSW. “Once again the Dungog Festival will be a celebration of film, music and delicious regional produce, all set in the spectacular Upper Hunter region of NSW and I am delighted that we’re providing a boost to this event through Destination NSW,” Mr Johnsen said. NSW Minister for Tourism and Major Events Adam Marshall said supporting events in regional NSW is a key focus for the Government. “Our continued support for events provides the perfect opportunity to promote the many wonderful destinations across the State, such as the beautiful Upper Hunter and we look forward to welcoming new and returning visitors to the region this September.” The 2018 Dungog Festival runs from 28 Sep to 1 Oct, visit dungogfestival.com.au. Image: The Long Table Dinner at the Dungog Festival. VIVID SYDNEY APPOINTS NEW VIVID LIGHT CURATORDestination NSW Chief Executive Officer and Vivid Sydney Executive Producer, Sandra Chipchase, has announced the appointment of Lucy Keeler as Vivid Light Curator. “Lucy is one of the nation’s leading creative talents and I am delighted to have someone of her immense skill and passion as part of the team working on Australia’s largest event,” Ms Chipchase said. Lucy Keeler said, “Having designed and worked on some of Vivid Sydney’s largest light installations over the years, including the animal sculptures at Taronga Zoo, Urban Tree Project in Martin Place and Snugglepot and Cuddlepie this year at Customs House, I’m excited to be able to contribute even more of my creative energy to this amazing event.” Ms Keeler joins Vivid Sydney after success as the co-director of Ample Projects, an award-winning studio responsible for large scale lighting projections, taking over from Vivid Sydney Light Curator, Anthony Bastic of AGB Events. “On behalf of Vivid Sydney, I extend our special thanks to Anthony Bastic and the team at AGB Events,” Ms Chipchase said. Vivid Sydney is owned, managed and produced by Destination NSW, the NSW Government’s tourism and major events agency. KEITH URBAN TO HOST THE 2018 ARIA AWARDSARIA announced this week that Keith Urban will return home to host the 32nd Annual ARIA Awards. The superstar last graced the ARIAs stage in 2007 when he joined John Butler to perform. While Urban has a total of 14 ARIA platinum-selling singles and albums, earning him a total of five ARIA Awards, it's the first time he has hosted the Awards. Keith Urban said, “I’m really looking forward to coming home and celebrating an incredible year of Australian music. There’s been so many impressive releases this year, it’s gonna be a tough competition but we get to recognise and honour the best of the best at Aussie music’s night of nights.” Australian music industry’s biggest night of celebration is supported by the NSW Government via its tourism and major events agency, Destination NSW. NSW Minister for Tourism and Major Events Adam Marshall said, “Keith Urban is one of Australia’s greatest musical success stories and we are delighted he will host the 32nd annual ARIA Awards in Sydney." Visit the ARIA Awards to find out more. WEST FEST HEADING TO |