MEDIA RELEASE                                        Monday 13 July 09

CAIRNS DANCERS JUMP FOR JOY AT REPRESENTING HOME CITY ON WORLD STAGE

From left: Cairns Highland Dancers, Catherine Wilson and Belinda Worthy – jumping for joy to represent Cairns on the world stage

Cairns Highland dance teacher, Catherine Wilson left Australia today on a dancing tour of the world.  First stop; Dubai – where she will meet up with 23 fellow Australian Dancers, Team Manager and Dance Director of the OzSoct Australia Highland Dancing Team before continuing their journey to Basel in Switzerland to perform at the Basel International Tattoo for an 11 performance season.

Following the Basel Season, some of the OzScot dancers will join the rest of the 45 strong OzScot team that leaves Australia on Thursday 30th July in Edinburgh Scotland for the month of August to perform in the three week season of the Edinburgh Military Tattoo.

In Scotland, Cairns will be represened by Catherine Wilson and Belinda Worthy when the OzScot Australia Team joins the Highland Springs Dancers on the esplanade of Edinburgh Castle.  In addition to performance in the Tattoo for six nights per week for three weeks the OzScot Australian Team will be performing in Edinburgh which will include the Edinburgh Festival Parade, and Mini Tattoos in Glasgow, Linlithgow, Dumfries House Ayrshire and Jedburgh.

Principal of Cairns Scottish and Irish Dance Academy, Mrs Jacqueline Wilson is also going to be involved in the Highland Dancing scene in Scotland in 2009.

Mrs Wilson is a judge qualified to judge for the Scottish Official Board of Highland Dancing and will be judging at the Isle of Bute Championships at Rothesay and also the Burnam Highland Games in Perthshire.  As well as judging, Jacqueline and her husband Kevin will be attending the World Highland Dancing Championships at Cowel.

It is just a wonderful opportunity for Far North Queensland Highland Dancers to gain the experience to dance on an international stage and it is more than likely that Cairns Dancers will join the OzScot Australia Team in Sydney with the Tattoo comes to Australia in February in 2010.

Ends

For information: Pip Miller PR   Mob: 0419 681543

MEDIA RELEASE                                         Thursday 16 July 2009

BUMPER GIVEAWAY FOR LADY GOLFERS SWINGING

THEIR WAY TO A GOOD CAUSE

Ladies!  Limber up, Paradise Palms’ second Pink Tee Challenge tournament is fast approaching on Wednesday 29^th July.

Paradise Palms Resort and Country Club event manager, Stephanie Archer said this event is shaping up to be ‘one big giveaway’. 

“We have great prizes lined up for this worthwhile event including a huge hamper from V Pharmacy, ladies golfing attire (hats, gloves and shirts), a health laden fruit basket from Simon George, six months Membership from Curves Gym, Reds Salon and Spa voucher, a nights accommodation from at The Lakes Cairns Resort and Spa, voucher for The French Corner Bistro, Palm Cove – all this and more culminating in the piece de resistance – a chance to go into the draw for the Coral Princess Cruises Grand Prize, drawn at the end of the year.”

Based on the successful formula of last year’s inaugural fundraising event, this year’s Pink Tee Challenge has been extended from three to four tournaments held between May and November 09.  The first event teed-off on Wednesday 13 May with an 18-hole single stableford competition and was hotly contested by a group of 40 golfers.  

The player fee of $70 for non-members, $60 for Paradise Palms Silver Members & $40 for Paradise Palms Platinum Members includes green fees, electric cart, buffet lunch, champagne and a swag of great prizes. Proceeds from all four tournaments will benefit the Breast Cancer Institute of Australia.

Two lucky ladies names are drawn on the day (and at each event)  to go into the draw to win the major prize of a trip for two to the Great Barrier Reef and Lizard Island valued at $4000 thanks to Coral Princess Cruises.

The Coral Princess Cruises Pink Tee Challenge series will be held on Wednesday 29 July, Wednesday 16 September and Wednesday 18 November. 

For bookings or enquiries contact, Stephanie Archer at Paradise Resort and Country Club on tel: 07 4059 9918 or sarcher@paradisepalms.com.au

Ends

For further information:

Nathan Young, General Manager Golf and Food and Beverage Operations,

Paradise Palms Country Club Ph: 07 4059 9999    Mob: 0419 157 418  Email: nyoung@paradisepalms.com.au

Rosie Douglas , Director of Sales and Marketing – Vision Hotels and Resorts

Tel: 07 40539 485  Mob:0417 750 540    E: rdouglas@visionhotelsandresorts.com

MEDIA RELEASE                                      Thursday 23 July 2009

WOW FACTOR IS NOT WHAT YOU SEE, BUT HOW YOU FEEL

The Inglis Stables in Randwick are transformed into  Gold

For the second year running, (and in conjunction with the Sydney Children’s Hospital Foundation) Hannafords Events, who have been creating special events around Australia and the Asia Pacific for over 16 years, produced 2009’s exclusive Gold Dinner in Sydney. 

According to Nick Hannaford of Hannafords Events, an amazing $750,000.00 was raised.

“This is a fantastic result in the current economic climate, and well above the target aspired to by the Sydney Children’s Hospital Foundation.”

This successful fundraising endeavour raises the question: How does an event company contribute to raising such a phenomenal amount of money in the current climate?

Speaking on this topic, Mr Hannaford said, ”For many years now a typical special event production brief was ‘give us an event with WOW factor that’s bigger and better than last year!’ But with a shaky economy underscoring the importance of caution, event companies are increasingly under pressure and this is where experience, knowledge and know how come to the fore.

“We believe to survive as an event producer in this climate, you have to reevaluate your tried and tested event formula.   It’s more about creating events that are personal and intimate – focusing on the event experience rather than WOW factor; it’s not what you see, it’s how you feel.

“When you don’t have the budget for fancy intelligent lighting, reveals and special effects, or expensive venues to rely on, it really tests the event producers design skills to produce a dynamic event that ‘ticks all the boxes’ for your client,” he said.

Putting this theory into practice, the focus of the evening was on ‘guest experience’, which was achieved by a change in the usual Gold Dinner format.  Previous years had seen the dinner run to a formal charity format, focusing on the standard dinner, speeches, auction and presentations formula.  This year, given the tough economic times, Hannafords wanted to create ‘a celebration for a cause’, rather than a ‘giving to a cause’ atmosphere.  This change in perception, created a coming together of people as a family who wanted to celebrate and continue the work of this special Foundation.

Hence, the celebration started with a bang as the fountain fireworks led guests into dinner located inside the unique Inglis stables at Randwick.  The guest experience then became that of an intimate family banquet, softly lit with elegant, romantic candlelight which both highlighted and contrasted the awesome infrastructure of the building.  To begin building the celebration feel again, Dein Perry’s Tap Pup’s demonstrated their awesome toe tapping skills before the enchanted, angelic voices of the Sydney Children’s Choir could be heard from the stable mezzanine – giving an emotional reminder to guests what this celebration was all about. 

The key to creating a celebratory family feel was the implementation of long tables where people could easily talk in a warm and cozy environment. The food was designed by Matt Moran and served banquet style to the table, enabling the passing of plates and sharing food. Four hidden sponsored lounges were then revealed for after dinner cognacs, chocolates, champagne cocktails and cheeses, allowing guests to continue to connect, chat and exchange ideas.  Ensuring the networking could continue as uninterrupted as possible, it was crucial to get the formalities over as soon as possible so guests could resume their interactions on the dance floor and indulge in a little fun!  With an appearance from Jimmy Barnes performing an impromptu duet with a lucky guest who purchased the privilege for charity, and the chance to kick up their heels with Amy and Charlie from “So You Think You Can Dance”, the night successfully took guests on a celebratory journey of ‘it’s not what you see, it’s how you feel.’

ENDS

For information contact:

Amelia Hannaford

Director

Hannafords Events

Tel: 61 7 4099 3966

Mob: 0407 656 293 

Email: amelia@hannafords.com.au

Laura Sage

Event Manager

Hannafords Events

Mob: 0413 125 595

Email: laura@hannafords.com.au

Issued by:  Pip Miller PR          Mob: 0419 681543

MEDIA RELEASE                                                            28 June 2009

FESTIVAL CAIRNS SHOWCASED TO SOUTHERN MEDIA

Journalists were treated to a glimpse of the excitement that will radiate around the city during Festival Cairns 2009 with a media familiarisation on the weekend (June 26-28).

Hosted by Festival Cairns organiser Cairns Regional Council with enormous support from Tourism Tropical North Queensland and Tourism Queensland, six journalists from around Queensland and interstate were flown to Cairns to join local media for a showcase of the annual event which reflects our tropical lifestyle.

Festival Cairns Coordinator Belinda Griffin said travel writers and columnists from some of the nation’s top selling magazines and newspapers were involved including the Sun Herald, New Idea, men’s style and the Brisbane Times.

“We introduced them to some of the mesmerising sights, sounds and flavours of Festival Cairns with a jazz performance at The Tanks Arts Centre, a wander around the Farmgate Markets at The Pier where Masterchef’s Gary Mehigan will be cooking during the Festival and lunch at The Sebel Reef House, one of the restaurants participating in Taste of Palm Cove,” she said.

Tourism Tropical North Queensland Chief Executive Officer Rob Giason said the media familiarisation would spread the word about Festival Cairns, encouraging visitors to maximise their holiday dollar by visiting the city when there was so much to do.

“Visiting journalists will get a unique insight into the culture of this sophisticated tropical city which will provide a more memorable experience. Events such as Festival Cairns are important to generate increased interest in a destination, particularly for repeat visitors.”

Mrs Griffin said the 100 per cent locally coordinated Festival Cairns had attracted some top national celebrities and entertainers including the Saltwater Band with Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu, Tex Perkins and the Hilltop Hoods, Grace Knight, Christine Anu and Grinspoon.

“While these personalities will add national appeal to the annual event, I am pleased to say we have achieved our aim by keeping Festival Cairns 2009 community-focused with an enormous 95 per cent of the program taken up with local content,” she said.

Festival Cairns 2009 kicks off on Friday August 21 with the inaugural Cairns Indigenous Art Fair, and ends 16 action-packed days later with the 20^th anniversary celebrations of Carnival on Collins on Sunday September 6.

Festival Cairns Media Familiarisation partners are The Lakes Resort & Spa, Shangri-La Hotel, Tanks Arts Centre, The Pier Farmgate Markets, Salt House Restaurant & Bar, Sebel Reef House Palm Cove, Palm Cove Tourism, Pandanus Gallery, Ochre Restaurant and Pernod Ricard.

Ends

For more information:

Belinda Griffin, Festival Cairns Coordinator 

T: 07 4044 3593 M: 0407 966 530 E: festival@cairns.qld.gov.au

www.cairns.qld.gov.au  www.festivalcairns.com.au

Cairns Mayor Val Schier 0407 100 886

Issued by:

Liz Inglis on behalf of Pip Miller PR                  

Liz

T: 07 4059 2547 M: 0419 643 494 E: liz.ing@bigpond.net.au

Pip (Available from Thursday July 2)

T: 07 4032 4400 M: 0419 681543  E: pip@pipmillerpr.com.au

www.pipmillerpr.com.au

MEDIA OPPORTUNITY                                        JULY 2009

ERGON ENERGY CAIRNS STREET BUSKERS FESTIVAL

& KEYS TO THE CITY

Please find details of two media calls for Festival Cairns that will take place on Thursday 23 July 09 at 11am

ERGON ENERGY CAIRNS STREET BUSKERS FESTIVAL

Who:    Roger G and the comedic brekky duo, Marty and Bec from Hot FM will be at busking headquarters for the launch of this year’s Ergon Energy Cairns Street Buskers Festival.  Promoting the professional artist in town and that registration is now open for the local Street Star Competition.

What:     Launching Ergon Energy Cairns Street Buskers  Festival 

When:    11am, Thursday 23 July 09

Where:   City Place (Busking Head Quarters)

More:    The Ergon Energy Cairns Street Buskers Festival will take place between 22nd August  and 4th September featuring line up of global street performers as part of Festival Cairns 09 official program. This year’s program includes six touring street performances, a local street star competition, workshops in comedy and street theatre and a Comedy club one night show only. www.cairnsstreetbuskersfestival.com

KEYS TO THE CITY

Who: Jeni Bullock, professional artist

What: Launching Keys to the City project organised by lead artist Jeni Bullock.  Painted pianos that all “tell the artist’s stories” will be placed around town during Festival Cairns.  They are for everyone to use and enjoy and the local Street Star competitors in the Ergon Energy Buskers festival have been encouraged to utilise these colourful additions to our town as part of there act.

Where: Buskers HeadquartersCity Place, Lake ST

When:  11 am Thursday 23rd July

More:  Jeni has been busy painting her story onto one of the 5 pianos that will be located around the CBD during Festival Cairns.  Jeni took some time out this week and turned her skills to painting the windows of the Ergon energy Buskers Festival Head Quarters Office at City Place. 

Info:     Melinda Norris Festivals UP North  tel: 0400 798 425

Festival Cairns will run between Friday 21 August and Sunday 6 September 2009.  This year’s theme is “Telling our Stories”.  As event manager of Festival Cairns 2009, Cairns Regional Council gratefully acknowledges the support of major sponsors Arts Queensland, Queensland State Government, Ergon Energy and Pacific Toyota.

Ends

For more information:

Belinda Griffin, Festival Cairns Coordinator 

T: 07 4044 3593 M: 0407 966 530 E: festival@cairns.qld.gov.au

www.cairns.qld.gov.au

Issued by:

Pip Miller PR                

T: 07 4032 4400 M: 0419 681543  E: pip@pipmillerpr.com.au

www.pipmillerpr.com.au

Publicity

Pip Miller PR

Telephone: 0419 681543

Email: pip@pipmillerpr.com.au

Internet: www.travellersoasis.com.au  /  www.tropicdays.com.au             

MEDIA INFORMATION                                      Thursday 23 July 2009

AN ARTISTIC FORMULA BEATS SUCCESSFUL PATH FOR CAIRNS BACKPACKER ACCOMMODATION

The owner-operators of Tropic Days and Traveller’s Oasis backpacker hostels in Cairns continue to evolve and improve their successful accommodation business and are pleased to announce a series of significant upgrades to both properties are now complete.

For the past 10 years, Gabriel and Kathy Thallon have been actively involved in nurturing Cairns backpacker market with hostel accommodation that breaks from the convention of basic surroundings to offer a warm, welcoming and homely environment.

Tropical landscaped gardens, swimming pools and an emphasis in artistic furnishings and fittings have given new life to the stock-standard backpacker experience.

According to Mr and Mrs Thallon, Tropic Days and Travellers Oasis are both a veritable showcase of local creativity and talent thanks to features that include artworks and design by painter, Haley Gillespie, wrought iron balustrading, signage and furniture by Elefantus Wrought Iron and Glass and mosaic tile features and artworks by Bexley Birrell.

The Thallons purchased Tropic Days 10 years ago and in recent years, added Travellers Oasis to their portfolio of accommodation for backpackers and budget conscious travellers to Cairns. 

Both hostels are located within five minutes of each other on the fringe of Cairns CBD; Tropic Days at 26-28 Bunting Street and Travellers Oasis at 8 Scott Street.

The owners’ ethos and business culture is committed to giving travellers a special and memorable experience.  In so doing, the Thallons have been consistent in  ‘giving back’ with ongoing investment and dedication to quality improvement.

As a testament to this philosophy, both Travellers Oasis and Tropic Days are recommended in coveted Let’s Go, Lonely Planet and Rough Guide backpacker publications.

“Over the years we have worked hard to constantly improve and add value to our products with renovation, design and introducing new ways of doing things.  Our determination to highlight unique points of difference has led us on a colourful and creative journey away from the mainstream.  We are certainly proud of our business and consider both hostels worthy art galleries of ocal endeavour,” said Kathy Thallon.

This week the Thallons sign-off new office developments in both hostels that once again, drew on the contribution of local tradespeople and artisans –including Elefantus Wrought Iron for intricate signage and balustrading that marries with the tropical look and theme of sister properties.

For further information, contact Gabriel and Kathy Thallon on tel: 0740 521377  mob:  0415 099 380 /  0411 123 060    email: Kathy@tropicdays.com.au / info@travellersoasis.com.au

Ends

Issued by:  Pip Miller PR                     

MEDIA RELEASE                                                            16 July 2009

FESTIVAL CAIRNS EMBRACES TECHNOLOGY

Become an e-subscriber to Festival Cairns 2009 to win a double pass worth more than $700 to all of the Festival’s top ticketed events.

Festival Cairns Coordinator Belinda Griffin said now that www.festivalcairns.com.au was up and running the public could log on and become an e-subscriber to receive updates and giveaways throughout Festival Cairns.

“Getting in early will give e-subscribers the chance to go into the draw to win a double Festival Cairns 2009 pass worth more than $700,” she said, “as well as giving them exclusive access to any last minute ticket giveaways and festival updates.”

The passes include tickets to the Cairns Indigenous Art Fair concert with Christine Anu, the Cairns Choral Society’s Miss Saigon, Tex Perkins & The Dark Horse, Grace Knight, the 10^th Anniversary Illumination White Party headlined by Endorphin, Reggaetown with Blue King Brown, the timeOUT concert featuring Hilltop Hoods and Grinspoon, the Cairns Regional Gallery, Amateurs Racing Carnival and Jazz Under the Stars at the Cairns Botanical Gardens.

“The Festival Cairns website will be updated constantly throughout the 16 days of the Festival,” Mrs Griffin said.

“Cairns-based Sunday Mail journalist and controversial columnist Gavin King will be just one of the locals invited to be a “Festival Blogger”  over the 2 weeks, an exercise aimed at reflecting back to the community thoughts on the events of 2009’s festival.”

Text messaging will also play a role in Festival Cairns 2009 with SMS votes being used to select the winner of the Ergon Energy Street Star Buskers Competition. To vote for your favourite busker during the competition simply text the word busker followed by the busker’s name you wish to vote for to 191 300. 

Festival Cairns 2009 is proudly made in Cairns with a massive 95 per cent local content jam-packed into the 16 days of festivities between August 21 and September 6.

As event manager of Festival Cairns 2009, Cairns Regional Council gratefully acknowledges the support of major sponsors Arts Queensland, Queensland State Government, Ergon Energy and Pacific Toyota.

Ends

For more information:

Belinda Griffin, Festival Cairns Coordinator 

T: 07 4044 3593 M: 0407 966 530 E: festival@cairns.qld.gov.au

www.cairns.qld.gov.au

Issued by:

Pip Miller PR                

T: 07 4032 4400 M: 0419 681543  E: pip@pipmillerpr.com.au

www.pipmillerpr.com.au

MEDIA RELEASE                                        Tuesday 21 July 2009

GARY MEHIGAN PUTS SPOTLIGHT ON REGIONAL FOOD

Celebrity chef, Gary Mehigan

Food, Glorious Food!  With a Regional Food Showcase comprising cooking demonstrations and an exclusive ticketed lunch presented by Masterchef judge and accomplished chef, Gary Mehigan, this is a worthy catchcry for punters anticipating the opening weekend of Festival Cairns.

As Southern Cross Ten’s top rating reality show reached boiling point on Sunday  – the final night of its first season, Festival Cairns event coordinator, Belinda Griffin is pleased to announce details of exciting food laden events and the participation of Masterchef judge, Gary Mehigan. 

Gary Mehigan arrives in Cairns on day one of Festival Cairns, Friday 21 August; spearheading a weekend line up showcasing regional food with a series of free and ticketed events including cooking demonstrations at The Pier’s Farmgate Markets on Saturday 22 August and the following day – an exclusive four course lunch at Sebel Reef House and Spa; the latter of which is a major highlight on the program of northern Beaches newcomer, Taste of Palm Cove.

Mrs Griffin said much work has gone into securing Gary Mehigan’s involvement and considering his busy filming schedule with Masterchef, is a real coup for Festival Cairns and its 2009 program.

“As Gary’s celebrity status soars in the wake of bumper ratings, we can rest easy in the knowledge that his involvement will focus attention on events that have been created to both reflect and celebrate our region.  The Regional Food Showcase is a case in point and will be highlighted at both The Pier’s Farmgate Markets and four course lunch at Sebel Reef House.”

Tickets are on sale now to participate in The Regional Food Showcase lunch at Sebel Reef House and Spa featuring Gary Mehigan’s special four course menu with matching wines from the Stoneleigh Wines stable.  Tickets are $95 per person (inclusive of lunch and wine package) or $65 per person (under 18’s – not including wine package).  To book, Tel: Reef House and Spa 07 4055 3633 today or email events@tsrhpc.mirvac.com  - places are limited.

• Saturday 22 August: Farmgate Market Cooking Demonstrations 9.30am and 11.00am
• Sunday 23 August: Sebel Reef House and Spa & Stoneleigh Wines Ticketed Lunch from 12 noon.

Want to know more about Gary Mehigan?

At the helm of two thriving restaurants in food obsessed Melbourne, Gary is also riding a wave of popularity in an ever burgeoning television cooking career.  Well known as the judge for Channel Ten’s ”Masterchef” series,  Gary also has a regular cooking role on Channel Ten’s “9am with David & Kim”.  With his newer show, “Boys Weekend”, airing worldwide in over 12 countries since April 2009, and his series of “Good Chef, Bad Chef”, completed in 2007 (due to go into a second series later in 2009), Gary is now in constant demand as a keynote speaker and celebrity chef.

Gary completed his apprenticeship and formative years of cooking in London, where being passionate about food was what he considered, the only thing that got him through. Not only was it London, but the Connaught and the Souffle, two of the most elite dining rooms in the UK, at the time.

Gary has a long list of TV credits to his name including Channel Ten’s Australian version of “Ready Steady Cook”.  He is a charismatic chef, who has always had great vision and business acumen. Thus, the birth of Fenix, Gary’s complex in Richmond, and his new baby, The Maribyrnong Boathouse.

Mr Mehigan has called Melbourne home since 1991, and has worked at a plethora of venues including the gracious Burnham Beeches, Brown’s Restaurant, Novotel Melbourne, and Sofitel Melbourne. 

As event manager of Festival Cairns 2009, Cairns Regional Council gratefully acknowledges the support of major sponsors Arts Queensland, Queensland State Government, Ergon Energy and Pacific Toyota.

Ends

For more information:

Belinda Griffin, Festival Cairns Coordinator 

T: 07 4044 3593 M: 0407 966 530 E: festival@cairns.qld.gov.au

www.cairns.qld.gov.au

Issued by:

Pip Miller PR                

T: 07 4032 4400 M: 0419 681543  E: pip@pipmillerpr.com.au

www.pipmillerpr.com.au

Click on the following pdf to upload the latest version of the Festival Cairns media kit.  Alternatively, log into www.festivalcairns.com.au and go to Media Gallery for latest kit, publicity record and press releases.media-kit-festival-cairns-2009-updated-monday-27-july-09