Pip Miller PR

MEDIA INFORMATION Tuesday 28 Oct 08

Lucky Gent Bags a Gem

Hardy Brothers Jewellers’ Gemologist determines winning gem
Michael Stewart is one lucky guy. Little did he know, that when he was handed his glass of Deutz champagne on arrival at Friday night’s Essence – An Eye on Fashion, it would turn out to be one of the best glass of sparkles he’ll ever have.
Picture: depositing gems into champagne flutes in readiness for the guest arrival at Essence – An Eye on Fashion held in Cairns on Friday 17 October 08.
Of the 320 guests who turned out in their finery for Cairns social event of the year, Michael’s welcome ‘diamond champagne’ was exactly that – in that it swimming in the premium sparkling was a genuine Hardy Brothers diamond valued at $5000.
With the good news announced towards the end of the evening in an entertaining play-off against fellow finalist, Cairns milliner, Amanda Macor – who planned to reset her engagement ring should she win – Michael was naturally ecstatic and in a state of disbelief.
“I really couldn’t believe my luck. I still can’t. I am normally someone who doesn’t win anything. It is normally my partner who has all the luck,” he said.
There must be something in the name Michael, with last year’s winner, also a Michael – makeup guru, Counter Manager from Myer’s Estee Lauder counter, Michael Giudice.
As Regional Manager of Thrifty Car Rental in Cairns, Michael Stewart said this was his second Essence event.
“Yes, I came along last year. It really is a great night – to be able to see all the fashion and what’s on offer in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane – it is fantastic really,” he said.
According to Michael, he already has definite plans for his lucky diamond.
“I know exactly what I am going to do – I am going to see Hardy Brothers and have it made into a special ring,” he said.
Essence – An Eye on Fashion is presented by Hilton Cairns and Hardy Brothers Jewellers, in conjunction with Cairnseye magazine. Other event partners included Mercedes-Benz, Pernod Ricard, Myer, Stageworks, Simon George and Castlemaine Perkins.
For further information, contact Michael Stewart on mob: 0414 680 093.
Ends

EVENT
INQUIRIES: Lisa Minikas, Marketing Executive, Hilton Cairns
Tel: 07 4052 6753 Email: lisa.minikas@hilton.com
MEDIA
INQUIRIES: Pip Miller PR Mob: 0419 681543 Email: pip@pipmillerpr.com.au
Images available on request

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PRE-EVENT MEDIA CALL
Essence – An Eye on Fashion

DATE: Friday 17 October, 2008

TIME: 1pm

PLACE: Hilton Cairns Grand Ballroom

WHAT: Meet and Greet with Essence fashion show emcee and special guest,
Holly Brisley and the arrival of the Emirates Melbourne Cup Trophy 08.

After arriving on a 12 noon flight, Holly will meet and greet local news
Media in the lead up to the evening’s event.

Holly Brisley is one of Australia’s most well-known and loved entertainers.
Her career has been diverse and has comprised many interesting projects
Including both acting and presenting roles. With her role as Amanda Vale
on the hit series Home and Away behind her, Holly’s career looks set to
take on a new and exciting direction.

Holly will be joined by designers-in-residence, Brisbane’s own bespoke
Designer, Paul Hunt, Project Runway runner-up, Leigh Buchanan and
Fashion event production manager, Lindsay Bennett. Hilton Cairns
General Manager, David Kelly will also be available to talk with media
In the lead up to this very special night for Tropical North Queenslanders.

Also present will be Hardy Brothers Jewellers very special hand-crafted
Emirates Melbourne Cup 2008 trophy. As tradition dictates, the cup will make a special entrance at Essence – An Eye on Fashion – carried carefully to the photographic podium by Leukaemia Foundation ambassador and former Miss Universe entrant, Kimberley Busteed.

ABOUT
THE EVENT: Hot on the heels of its runway success in 2006 and 2007,
Hilton Cairns and Hardy Brothers Jewellers, in conjunction with
Cairnseye, will once again play host to Essence – An Eye on Fashion.

In its relatively short history, Essence has positioned itself as the region’s most hotly anticipated and highly regarded fashion event – a night so special it successfully celebrates all the many and varied elements of Australian glamour using a stylish and sensual blend of elements…sight, sound, smell, touch and taste…

From fine champagne and fabulous food to fundraising for Leukaemia Foundation, inspired entertainment and this season’s latest a-list designer fashion direct from the catwalks of Australia’s Mercedes Benz fashion weeks in Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne – Essence has it all and more…

Add to that, Hilton Cairns unveiling of its new, million dollar event space – that will provide this perfect venue and backdrop to this year’s celebration.
FASHION: Easton Pearson, Pistols at Dawn (QLD menswear label), Wayne Cooper, Flamingo Sands (women’s swimwear), Myer swimwear (men’s swimwear), Marnie Skillings, Vivienne Francine (Cairns), Grbac (Julie Grbac winner of Project Runway), Jayson Brunsdon, Lisa Ho, Myer Menswear (including Hugo Boss suiting), Alex Perry and Paul Hunt.
CELEBRITY: Celebrity guests include Holly Brisley, emcee of runway show, designers Wayne Cooper and Paul Hunt, QLD’s runner-up of Project Runway, Leigh Buchanan and Leukaemia Foundation ambassador and former Miss Universe entrant, Kimberley Busteed.
QUIRKY: Guests welcomed with flute of ‘diamond champagne’ – and chance to win $5000 diamond from Hardy Brothers Jewellers. Only one lucky guest will have the real and genuine article at its base. The resident gemologist will determine whether guests have the real deal – others are still lucky in that they are invited to take home their own cubic zirconia.
EVENT
PARTNERS: Hilton Cairns and Hardy Brothers Jewellers, in conjunction with
Cairnseye magazine.

EVENT
SPONSORS: Mercedes-Benz, Pernod Ricard Australia, Simon George, Myer
Stageworks and Heineken

SPOKES
PERSON: David Kelly, General Manager, Hilton Cairns

MEDIA
INFO: Media Kit will be supplied or can be downloaded from
www.pipmillerpr.com.au Images on request.

ISSUED: Friday 3 October 2008

EVENT
INQUIRIES: Lisa Minikas, Marketing Executive, Hilton Cairns
Tel: 07 4052 6753 Email: lisa.minikas@hilton.com
MEDIA
INQUIRIES: Pip Miller PR Mob: 0419 681543 Email: pip@pipmillerpr.com.au

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On Friday afternoon, Cairns Regional Council hosted a lovely afternoon tea ceremony to present the award winners of this year’s Parade of Lights. Mayor of Cairns Regional Council, Val Schier was pleased to perform the honours and presented the following:

Third place: Ms Elvis and the crew from the Barrier Reef Rockers
Second place: James Jones, Birch Carroll and Coyle representing the 4CAFM/BCC Madagaskar float
First place: Balloons Etc – Natalie broke from a busy schedule to accept the Mayor’s Trophy that dates back to the first Parade winner in 1967.

Balloons Etc has now won all three places in the past seven years of Festival Cairns Parade of Lights. She was elated and commented that it was really great fun.

Narell Black also took the opportunity to speak at the afternoon tea and said it was the people who participate who make Festival Cairns the successful spectacle it is today. A gathering of no less than around 30,000 turned out in force for the finale highlight on Saturday 20 September.

Click on link for full press release.

Publicity
Pip Miller PR
Ph: (07) 4032 4400
Mob: 0419 681 543
Email: pip@pipmillerpr.com.au
Internet: www.festivalcairns.com.au

MEDIA INFORMATION Tuesday 23 September, 2008

PARADE WINNERS ARE WELL DESERVED GRINNERS

Festival Cairns may be over for another year, but there are still a few important jobs to be done. Announcing the winners of RACQ Insurance’s Parade of Lights and presenting their hard-won prizes is just one of many tasks – albeit a very important one.

The winning floats in Festival Cairns’ finale highlight, the RACQ Insurance Parade of Lights, is always hotly contested. This year was no exception with the winners as follows:
.
As overall winner, Balloons Etc receives $3000, in second place Birch Carroll and Coyle and 4CA won $1500 and in third place, Barrier Reef Rockers’s Elvis themed float stole the judges hearts to take home $750.

High commendations were awarded equally to TAFE and the Philippine community floats with the school group award going to Woree State High School and Cook Island Dancers.

In other awards, Best Band was won by RSL’s Pipe Band – hotly contested by Trinity Bay High School and Woree State High School who were also out in force.

“We really appreciate the schools participation in particular – turning up when school holidays had already started and all the teachers involved are the true champions.

“We were absolutely delighted with the high standard and level of community participation for this year’s parade that was sponsored for the second time by RACQ Insurance,” said Mrs Black.

RACQ Insurance’s Parade of Lights was held on Saturday 20 September providing a great spectacle and community showcase to a crowd of 30,000 locals and visitors who lined the esplanade to watch the procession of some 55 different floats, and participation by 1500 people.

The RACQ Insurance Parade of Lights has a rich and colourful history stemming back to 1967 and the days of Fun in the Sun when Cairns enjoyed its first procession down the esplanade to celebrate the city and its lifestyle. It has been 41 years since the inaugural parade and in 2008 proved as popular as ever.
For further information: website www.festivalcairns.com.au or phone EventsCairns on 07 4051 0222 or email info@festivalcairns.com.au

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MEDIA INFORMATION Tuesday 7 Oct 08

Essence – An Eye on Fashion Launched in Cairns

Picture: Cairns’ Make Me a Supermodel Finalist, Kassandra Zandt added a touch of glamour at his morning’s launch of Essence – An Eye on Fashion. Wearing Wayne Cooper from Myer with jewels adorning her ears and neck from Hardy Brothers Jewellers,
Kassandra is pictured in Hilton Cairns’ Six Degrees Bar and Lounge with her own flute of ‘diamond champagne’ that will welcome guests to the event on Friday 17 October.
Media and event partners gathered this morning to savour the taste of ‘diamond champagne’ while Hilton Cairns General Manager, David Kelly unveiled details of Tropical North Queensland’s social event of the year, Essence – An Eye on Fashion.
Presented by Hilton Cairns and Hardy Brothers Jewellers, in conjunction with Cairnseye magazine, Essence – An Eye on Fashion is now in its third year and when it takes place on Friday 17 October 2008, is set to be another diamond-studded affair described as a stylish and sensual blend of food, fashion, fundraising and top-drawer entertainment.
According to Mr Kelly, this year the event will take on a new twist when it is staged in the hotel’s newly completed event space that has been significantly upgraded over the past three months to the tune of a $1 million investment.
In keeping with other traditions, guests will once again be welcomed with the event’s signature cocktail – a flute of ‘diamond champagne’. After enjoying their glass of bubbles, guests are invited to take their gem, sitting at the bottom of the flute – to Hardy Brothers Jewellers’ resident gemologist to determine whether it’s the genuine article or not. One lucky winner will take home a Hardy Brothers diamond valued at $5000.
The evening will then proceed with the glamorous arrival of Leukaemia Foundation ambassador and former Miss Universe entrant, Queensland’s own, Kimberley Busteed – bearing Hardy Brothers Jewellers’ hand-crafted Melbourne Cup trophy. This 18 carat, solid gold trophy takes some 200 hours to make and is the very icon for the race that stops the nation.
A charity auction of valuable jewellery and sporting memorabilia will ensue as will the opportunity to feast on delicious fare from the award-winning kitchen brigade of Hilton Cairns and celebrity chef, Jimmy Shu of Hanuman Restaurants in Darwin.
In its third year, Essence – An Eye on Fashion, will continue its fundraising tradition to benefit Leukaemia Foundation. In its first and second years, Essence has helped raise a total of $50,500 ($22,500 in 2006 and $28,000 in 2007).
The event highlight is once again destined to be the runway show which in its new venue of Hilton Cairns’ grand ballroom, will provide guests with all the drama and spectacle they have come to expect. Lindsay Bennett will once again produce this show using the same formula adopted for Mercedes Benz Fashion Festivals in Brisbane to bring Cairns the latest Spring/Summer 08 collections from Australia’s a-list designers. While Wayne Cooper will once again be on hand to personally present his latest season, so too will Brisbane’s bespoke designer, Paul Hunt.
Add to this, the brand names of Alex Perry, Lisa Ho, Easton Pearson, Marnie Skillings, Myer, Pistols @ Dawn, Grbac, Jayson Brunsdon, Flamingo Sands and Cairns own’ Vivienne Francine.
Runner-up of Arena TV’s Project Runway, Queenslander, Leigh Buchanan will add a dash of avant-garde celebrity, as will fashion show emcee and well-known Australian entertainer, Holly Brisley.
In combination, this event has all the ingredients of a night to remember and one that will resonate among guests for another year to come.
Picture: The finale walk from last year’s Essence – An Eye on Fashion – runway show.

Ends

EVENT
INQUIRIES: Lisa Minikas, Marketing Executive, Hilton Cairns
Tel: 07 4052 6753 Email: lisa.minikas@hilton.com
MEDIA
INQUIRIES: Pip Miller PR Mob: 0419 681543 Email: pip@pipmillerpr.com.au