MEDIA RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

RSVP Australia extends a warm invitation to visit Australia in 2007

SINGAPORE, 9 March 2007 - RSVP Australia invites Singapore to experience the best of Australian style, arts, education, food and wine from 9 to 18 March. The 10-day event, showcasing the diversity of Australian culture, has been launched today at Raffles City Shopping Centre.

Organised by the Australian High Commission, Australian Trade Commission (Austrade) and Tourism Australia, RSVP Australia features four main events: kicking off today with Australian City and Coastal Lifestyle at Raffles City and the Westpac Arts Festival, followed by the Melbourne Food and Wine Festival from 16-18 March and the Study in Australia education fair, from 17-18 March at Suntec Singapore.

“This year’s Australian lifestyle and culture festival, RSVP Australia, promises to be bigger and better than ever, and truly offers something for everyone,” says HE Mr Miles Kupa, Australia’s High Commissioner to Singapore.

“We have focussed on some aspects of Australia that we are most renowned for – our beautiful beaches and cosmopolitan city centres, our terrific food and wine, and contemporary fashion and design - as well as some new and exciting areas, including children’s theatre, textile design, indigenous art, and even hand blown glassware.”

“Singapore is a key market for Australia, with more than a quarter of a million Singaporeans visiting the country annually. Although many Singaporeans are familiar with the destination, through RSVP Australia, we hope to give you a preview of some of the many things that are new to discover in Australia,” says Ms Maggie White, Tourism Australia’s General Manager, South, Southeast Asia and the Gulf Countries.

“As for those who have not had the opportunity to visit Australia, we invite you to have a taste of what Australia has to offer, right at your doorstep, and invite you to make Australia your next holiday destination,” adds White.

Australian City and Coastal Lifestyle at Raffles City

From 9 to 18 March 2007, Australian City and Coastal Lifestyle sees Raffles City play host to some of Australia’s most promising and renowned designers. From City to Coast: Australian Fashion Showcase (9-10 March) sees the creative designs of promising Australian designers, Manning Cartell and Yeojin Bae, showcased in Singapore for the first time.

You can also meet these renowned Australian designers and artists and see their works at Raffles City:
 awardwinning artist, Alexander Lotersztain’s diverse range of derlot homewares
 Steve Howkins’ Howkins range of ceramics, screens and lighting for interior use
 Splatter‘s original artwork, including illustrations and commissioned pieces as well as eagerly sought-after homewares
 Julie Paterson’s gorgeous screenprinted cloth range of textiles inspired by local landscapes
 Marc Harrison’s Husque designs, made of recycled macadamia nut shells
 JamFactory Contemporary Craft and Design‘s showcase of some of the best in Australian craft and design, including Mark Thiele’s landscape series of handblown glass, Julie Blyfield’s pressed dessert plant brooches, Stephen Bowers’ earthern ware mugs and Sally Mahoney’s steel and sterling silver dishes and jewellery.

On 17 and 18 March, families in search of some beach fun can give surfing a go, when the ‘coastal lifestyle’ theme concludes with the Quiksilver and Roxy Faux Pro Surfing Competitions. Who will be Singapore’s first male and female ‘Faux Pro Surfing Champions’? Meet our friendly surf lifesavers as they share beach safety tips and tell you all about Australia’s beautiful beaches.

To add to the buzz, the first 50 visitors to the Australian City and Coastal Lifestyle at Raffles City each day will receive a free cup of creamy smooth Bondi Chai – a smooth blend of milk, black tea, honey, vanilla and exotic ‘comfort’ spices, which is rapidly carving a place in Australia’s café culture.

And, there’s something for the wine buffs too! They can enjoy wine tasting, learn more about Margaret River wines and try some much-loved gourmet products at the Margaret River Wines and Gourmet Products showcase at Raffles City.

The Melbourne Food and Wine Festival

The Melbourne Food and Wine Festival’s signature event – World’s Longest Lunch – makes its international debut in Singapore! Chef and owner of BROTH, Steve Hansen transforms the cobblestone-lined Duxton Hill to create a unique outdoor dining setting. You are invited to come and celebrate the freshest produce and finest wines from Australia among great company, over a purpose-built 50m-long dining table. On 17 and 18 March, taste quality Australian produce, drink fine Australian wine and get to know our producers, winemakers and chefs as they share their passion for fine dining at The World’s Longest Lunch and its evening companion event, The Long Table Dinner.

Westpac Arts Festival

The Westpac Arts Festival 2007 features a selection of the best of Australian music, dance, theatre, art, film and literary talent. From 15-17 March, Queensland Ballet’s spectacular Alice in Wonderland sees the popular tale brought to life – with whimsical flights of the imagination, an eclectic selection of music and wonderful dance performances making this a delight for all ages.

On 9 March, the internationally acclaimed Tim O’Dwyer Trio performs a rollercoaster ride of classic swing numbers in Babyland, and then joins Singaporean-based jazz keyboardist Aya Sekine for more swing on 12 March in Stellar Regions: Tribute to John Coltrane.

For the kids, from 7 to 9 March, Pigs, Bears and Billy Goats Gruff by Patch Theatre Company is a true treat. Children aged four to eight can enjoy the magical fairytale world in this delightful production that explores the magical power of the number three. From 13 to 17 March, Outlookers by Arena Theatre captivates children aged five to 12 in a high energy adventure featuring an inflatable set designed by Mambo artist Jeff Raglus.

The Westpac Arts Festival also features the works of some of Australia’s indigenous artists, with Singaopre’s first exhibition of paintings from the Mount Liebig Community in Australia’s remote Northern Territory in The Queens and Kings of Dots, at ReDot Gallery from 14 March to 14 April.

In another first, the festival features the launch of the first book of fiction to be co-written by an Australian and a Singaporean author, Excess Baggage & Claim by Australian Terry Jaensch and awardwinning Singaporean poet Cyril Wong, at The Arts House on 16 March. This collection of poems artfully weaves tales of desire, betrayal and self-discovery. A ‘Meet the Authors’ session will be held on March 17 at Books Actually.

Uncover Australia Photography Exhibition features the work of 40 finalists of the recent nationwide public photo competition. Visitors to the exhibition, at Chinatown Point Shopping Centre from today until 19 March, can see the winning entries and vote for their favourite for the People’s Choice Awards.

Australia’s immensely popular wildlife enthusiast, the late Steve Irwin, is to be honoured at Wildlife Asia Pays Tribute to Steve Irwin – recognising Irwin’s immeasurable contribution to Australian wildlife conservation, this special tribute by the region’s leading documentary makers is part of the Lion Film Awards and will be attended by filmmakers and conservationists from around the world.

Study in Australia

From 17 to 18 March, the popular annual education fair will be held at Suntec Singapore, Level 4, Hall 401, serving as a one-stop shop for those exploring study options in Australia. Visitors will be able to meet with alumni as well as staff from leading secondary, tertiary and vocational education providers. This year, visitors can also check out fun, interactive career sessions such as film-making and even fly a plane in an aviation flight simulator.

For event listings, ticket details and further information, please visit www.rsvpaustralia.com.sg 

###

Media enquiries
PR Communications: Harpreet Kaur/Rani Ramasamy, t: +65 6227 2135, e: [email protected], [email protected]
Tourism Australia: Serene Tan, t: +65 6351 6326, e: [email protected] 
Westpac Arts Festival: Jasmin Seah, Australian High Commission, t: +65 6836 4123, e: [email protected]