Diary Notes
Melbourne
Melbourne 2008 Homeless World Cup, Federation Square, 1 – 7 December
Hosted by the Big Issue, the Melbourne 2008 Homeless World Cup is a world-class international football tournament which unites teams of homeless people in a series of matches at Federation Square and Birrarung Mar. The football tournament will include more than 400 players from 48 nations.
For further information: call Sandra Del Monaco on (03) 9658 9939 or go to www.homelessworldcup.org
2008 Great Victorian Bike Ride, 29 November – 7 December
The Great Victorian Bike Ride in 2008 will for the first time start and end in Ballarat and will include the countryside in and around the Grampians. Cyclists who are unable to get away for nine days can join the four-day Grampians Explorer Ride from Halls Gap (in the Grampians) to Ballarat. The ride is a fully catered, tent-based holiday. The entry fee is $290 for adults, $230 for children and is free for kids under five.
For further information: call 1800 616 600 or go to www.greatvic.com.au
Media contact: John Meyers, Ph: (03) 9818 6339
The Suzuki Night Market, 26 November – 25 February
Enjoy a memorable evening at the Queen Victoria Market on Wednesday nights (except Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve) from 5.30pm – 10.00pm. The night market showcases cuisine from around the world accompanied by wines from regional Victoria. Be world music and local bands, go shopping and visit an alternative health practitioner. Admission is free.
For further information: call (03) 9320 5822 or visit www.qvm.com.au
Tattersall’s IDSF World Latin Championship Melbourne, 2008, 8 – 14 December
Melbourne will sizzle when the World Latin Championship burns the dance floor. More than 220 of the world’s best competitors from 50 countries will compete for the coveted World Latin title and for the 2008 Australian DanceSport Championship titles. Held at Hisense Arena (formerly Vodafone Arena), this promises to be one of the hottest shows in town.
For further information: www.worldlatin2008.com.au
Media contact: Julie Cavanagh on 0419 348 938 or email julie@zip.com.au
Vision Australia’s Carols by Candlelight, 24 December
The tradition of carols on Christmas Eve at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl Melbourne continues with this year’s annual Carols by Candlelight. The event will feature Christmas carols performed by some of Australia's finest performers. Carols hold a special place in the hearts of many Australians, bringing families together to celebrate the true meaning of Christmas. Bring a blanket and sing Christmas carols under the stars and be part of this grand occasion. The event begins at 9pm, with gates opening at 5pm.Tickets go on sale in November 8.
For further information: call 1300 558 458 or go to www.carolsbycandleligt.com.au
3 Mobile Boxing Day Test Match, Australia v South Africa, Melbourne 26 - 30 December
The 3 Mobile Boxing Day Test is Australia’s biggest annual cricket match. Australia, captained by Ricky Ponting, takes on South Africa which is lead by Graeme Smith. Thousands of cricket fans are expected to flock to the historic Melbourne Cricket Ground, to be part of the action. Tickets for the general public go on sale from 27 August through Ticketmaster (www.ticketmaster.com.au)
For further information: www.cricket.com.au or call Cricket Australia on (03) 9653 9999
Melbourne City’s New Year’s Eve Party, 31 December
Join the city’s largest free New Year’s Eve party. Enjoy free entertainment including DJs, live bands, performers, family fun and children’s entertainment and much more at Alexandra Gardens, Birrarung Marr, Federation Square, City Square, Southgate Arts and Leisure Precinct, the Arts Centre and NewQuay, Docklands. The highlight of the night will be the fireworks display that will bring the city to life and welcome the New Year with a big bang. The events are free and held from 7 pm – 1.15am.
For further information: call (03) 9658 9658 or visit www.thatsmelbourne.com.au
Regional Victoria
The Naked and the Nude, Ballarat Fine Art Gallery, until 7 December
The naked body in art, an exhibition which takes the viewer on a fresh and challenging journey of the nude in art, both male and female, throughout the 19th, 20th and into the 21st centuries, is on show at the Ballarat Fine Art Gallery. The exhibition features more than 100 items, including the Sentimental Hesitation by William Bartlett and Norman Lindsay’s Benediction. The gallery is open from 9am - 5pm daily. Entry to the exhibition is $10 (adults); concession ($6); and children under 16 are free.
For further information: go to www.balgal.com
Media contact: Penny Underwood on (03) 9818 8540.
Eureka 2008, Ballarat, 7 December
Each year Ballarat commemorates and celebrates the 1854 Eureka Rebellion at the Eureka Centre, by interpreting the events of Eureka and offering free family activities in the Eureka Stockade gardens. Also visit the Ballarat Fine Art Gallery to view the original Eureka flag.
For further information: call (03) 5333 1854 or go to www.eurekaballarat.com
Sand Sculpting Australia presents ‘Dinostory’, Frankston Waterfront, Dec 26 – April
A team of 21 sculptors from Russia, Netherlands, Belgium, Singapore, Ireland, the UK, Canada, USA and Australia will be working at Frankston Waterfront to create Sand Sculpting Australia 2008/09 presentation 'Dinostory'. Featuring yet finely detailed sculptures depicting creatures and scenes from the age of the dinosaurs.
Integrated with the sand sculptures will be regular activities to keep the whole family entertained such as carving in the Sand Workshop area, or tour conducted by our resident sculptor. The exhibition will be lit for special evening viewings.
For further information: go to www.visitfrankston.com
Red Cross Murray Marathon, 27 – 31 December
Known as one of the longest annual canoe races in the world, this fun race covers 404 kilometres over five days, taking paddlers from Yarrawonga to Swan Hill. This year is the event’s 40th anniversary and the last year it will run. The race attracts more than 800 participants, 300 volunteers and up to 3000 support crew as it moves like a tent city from town to town. Paddlers’ share the experience of being challenged and enjoy the camaraderie of paddling down the Murray River and supporting the Australian Red Cross, Victoria.
For further information: call Zan King (03) 8327 7742 or go to www.redcross.org.au/vic/murraymarathon
Yuulong Lavender Festival, Dec 14, 2008
Yuulong Lavender Estate has been established for 28 years in 2008. So to celebrate this twenty third annual festival with fantastic music, llamas and the opportunity to taste delicious regional food and wine, head for Mt Egerton on the second Sunday in December. Maryborough Jazz Band, Aromatherapy, relaxation massage, Mt .,Buninyoung winery tastings and sales, local farm produce, stalls, harvesting with llamas and much more.
For further information: go to www.yuulonglavender.com.au
Out of the square: Beach architecture on the Mornington Peninsula, 13 November 2008 – 22 February 2009
Out of the square: Beach architecture on the Mornington Peninsula is the first exhibition to survey the rich traditions of coastal architecture on the Peninsula. Arranged geographically so that modern and contemporary projects rub shoulders, the exhibition considers the way in which architecture has developed under the rubric of form, patronage and place. As part of the Platforms for living component of the exhibition, five Melbourne-based architectural practices – Paul Morgan Architects, McBride Charles Ryan, WSH, Baracco Wright and Little Wonder – have also produced specially commissioned designs for speculative coastal houses of the future which will showcase new ways of living using principles of sustainability, innovation and best practice building and design.
For further information: call 5975 4395 or go to mprg.mornpen.vic.gov.au
Yering Station Sculpture Exhibition 2008, 26 October – 7 December
The Yering Station Sculpture Exhibition is a premier arts event held at Yering Station Vineyard in the heart of the Yarra Valley. Staged in Yering Station’s superbly landscaped gardens designed by Michael McCoy, the show is an exhibition of the finalists from the annual Yering Station Sculpture Award, which offers a $10,000 first prize for the winner. Free catalogues are provided and our visitors can vote to select the People's Choice Award.
For more information: call (03) 9730 0100 or go to www.yering.com
Peninsula Summer Music Festival, 30 December 2008 – 5 January 2009
Eleven diverse concerts over seven long summer days and nights filled with world-class food, wine and music. Highlights includes the spectacular gala opening at Monalto in Redhill featuring young Australian soprano Jane Sheldon performing Purcell and Handel with festival ensemble Fifth Continent, Cantatas by Candlelight concerts in Sorrento and Flinders, New Years Eve celebrations at Main Ridge Estate with International artists Anna Starr (oboe) and Donald Nicolson (harpsichord/organ), and a Hair of the Dog concert at Elgee Park, featuring the extraordinary double bass quartet, The Four Basses.
For further information: go to www.peninsulafestival.com.au