TOURISM
VICTORIA
EVENTS
Level 32, 121 Exhibition Street Melbourne VIC 3000 Australia Tel 03 9653 9777 Fax 03 9653 9757
Compiled in March
Victoria’s Events July 2009
Melbourne
Star Wars: Where Science Meets Imagination, 3 June – 3 November
Could cars that hover above the ground become the mass transport of the future? Will we ever have droids
like C-3PO in real life? Fantasy and reality join forces in Star Wars: Where Science Meets Imagination. This
is the first exhibition to showcase more than 80 costumes, models and props from all six Star Wars films.
Enjoy this innovative exhibition at Scienceworks in Spotswood.
For more information: www.museumvictoria.com.au/starwars
John Brack, 24 April – 9 August
More than any other artist of his generation, John Brack (1920 – 99) was a painter of modern Australian
life. Unlike his contemporaries, Brack painted neither myth nor history and when he focused on landscape it
was the urban sprawl of suburbia. This major retrospective at NGV Australia at Federation Square is the
first in 20 years and surveys a wide range of Brack’s distinctive works.
For more information: www.ngv.vic.gov.au
Melbourne Winter Masterpieces – Salvador Dali: Liquid Desire, 13 June – 4 October
Salvador Dalí: Liquid Desire is the first comprehensive retrospective of the work of Salvador Dalí ever
staged in Australia. The exhibition is drawn from the holdings of the two largest collections of Dalí in the
world - the Fundació Gala-Salvador Dalí in Figueres, Spain and the Salvador Dalí Museum in St
Petersburg, Florida. A full retrospective, the exhibition will comprise more than 200 works in all media –
painting, drawing, watercolour, etchings, sculpture, fashion, jewellery, cinema and photography. NGV
International, 180 St Kilda Road, Melbourne
For more information: call: 03 8620 2222 or visit www.ngv.vic.gov.au
The Asia-Pacific Chamber Music Competition, 1 – 5 July
The new Melbourne Recital Centre plays host to a competition for the very best emerging musicians from
Australia and the Asia-Pacific region. Young artists compete for the Musica Viva Australia Tony Berg
Award. Staged in Melbourne every four years, the event showcases piano trios and string quartets and is a
stepping stone to the International Chamber Music Competition. It is also a great opportunity for audiences
to hear wonderful music by talented young musicians.
For more information: call Mr Benjamin Woodroffe on 03 9682 3411 or go to
www.chambermusicaustralia.com.au
Media contact: Nicola Archer 03 9534 1285/0419 002 769
Jersey Boys, Princess Theatre, Melbourne, from 4 July
“Too good to be true” raved the New York Post about Jersey Boys, the 2006 Tony Award winning Best
Musical about the rock ‘n roll group - The Four Seasons. This is the story of how four blue-collar kids,
including lead singer Frankie Valli, became one of pop music’s great success stories. They wrote their own
songs, invented a new sound and sold 175 million records world-wide – before they were 30!
For more information: www.jerseyboysaustralia.com.au
The Light in Winter, 4 June – 5 July
In 2009 Federation Square gives us two bright reasons to rug up and head to the city. Directed by Robyn
Archer, The Light in Winter is a light-based festival that brings together artists, designers and communities
to explore their ideas of light, enlightenment and hope. The Light in Winter will present two elements:
Volume, a spectacular installation by British artists, United Visual Artists and The Gift of Light in which more
than 10 of Melbourne’s multicultural communities work together with an artist to share the meaning of light
in their culture.
For more information: call 03 9655 1900 or visit www.fedsquare.com
Melbourne Winter Masterpieces – A Day in Pompeii, 26 June – 25 October
Melbourne Museum has secured the exclusive Australian rights to show the exhibition A Day in Pompeii
featuring exquisitely preserved artefacts from the archaeological collection of the Soprintendenza
Archeologica di Pompei. The exhibition is presented as part of the Melbourne Winter Masterpieces series.
The exhibition tells the fateful and intriguing story of the eruption of Mt Vesuvius on 24 August, 79AD. The
exhibition features exceptional objects that lay buried in Pompeii’s ruins for over 17 centuries. Included are
room-size frescoes, marble and bronze sculptures and everyday household items - all of which evoke the
richness and culture of daily life in the Roman Empire’s favourite vacation resort. Admission fees apply.
For more information: www.museumvictoria.com.au
Melbourne Boat Show, Melbourne, 2 – 6 July
The annual Melbourne Boat Show with be held at the Melbourne Exhibition Centre, Southbank. The show
is Australia’s biggest and best exhibition of boats and marine equipment. Fishing and boating enthusiasts
will be delighted by the informative and interactive displays.
For more information: Boating Industry Association on 03 8696 5600 or visit www.biavic.com.au
Circus Oz, Under the Big Top, Birrarung Marr, 17 June – 12 July
Circus Oz returns to wow Melbourne audiences under the Big Top at Birrarung Marr. Enjoy a whiz bang
performance from the Circus Oz team that is cheeky, funny and utterly entertaining. Revel in the strength,
agility, beauty and irreverent humour of the internationally acclaimed circus.
For more information: www.circusoz.com
For tickets: call Ticketmaster on 136 100 or visit www.ticketmaster.com.au
2009 State of Design, Melbourne and regional Victoria, 15 – 25 July
The annual State of Design Festival is Victoria’s peak design event. The festival provides both local and
international conversations on design, with a focus on Victorian design. The festival demonstrates and
communicates how the Victorian and Australian design profession can improve living conditions, create
sustainable development opportunities, and generate new and innovative products and services.
For more information: www.stateofdesign.com.au
Reader’s Feast – Crime and Justice, 17 – 19 July
Head to the Abbotsford Convent for an exciting literary event when some of the world’s leading crime
writers gather to participate in Reader’s Feast – Crime and Justice. Be enthralled by writers’ talks and
debates on one of the most popular writing genres – crime fiction.
For more information: call Shirley Hardy-Rix on 03 9662 4699
Melbourne International Film Festival, 24 July – 9 August
Movie buffs are in for a treat when the Melbourne International Film Festival screens cinematic sensations
from more than 50 countries during 19 days from 24 July to 9 August. The festival also showcases new
Australian films by established and emerging film-makers and is regarded as one of the largest and longest
running festivals in the Asia Pacific region. Spot the celebrities in the audience, experience all the colour
and excitement and see films before they hit the cinemas.
For more information: call 03 9662 3722 or visit www.melbournefilmfestival.com.au
Media contact: Limelight PR on 03 8660 4816
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REGIONAL
Winter Weekends in Port Fairy, 3 – 5 July
Port Fairy plays host to a series of themed winter weekends, one a month from June to September. July’s
weekend is a celebration of all things food and wine.
For more information: www.winter.port-fairy.com
Fun4Kids Festival, Warrnambool, 25 June – 5 July
Head to Warrnambool during the winter school holidays to enjoy the award winning Fun4Kids Festival,
which is staged in a large indoor village. Fun4Kids features 12 zones full of activities, interactive workshops
and intriguing displays. Two monster stages with non-stop live shows everyday provide fun and affordable
entertainment for all the family. There are magicians, musicians, pantomimes, bands, ballet and hilarious
creatures roving the venue.
For more information: call Brooke Wilson, Festival Director on 03 5559 4816 or visit
www.fun4kids.com.au
Rose Day and Garden Day at Nyerimilang Heritage Park, Lakes Entrance, 5 July
Learn the art of rose pruning at Nyerimilang Heritage Park, Kalimna West, located 10 kilometres north-west
of Lakes Entrance. Rose Day features free rose clipping demonstrations, free rose cuttings and gardening
advice. Light lunches and Devonshire teas will be available. Entry tickets are $4 per person.
For more information: Nyerimilang Heritage Park on 03 5155 2159 or visit www.nyerimilang.org.au
Beat the Winter Blues ‘n’ Jazz Weekend, 10 – 12 July, Milawa
The High Country’s Milawa region turns up the heat when it hosts a weekend of blues and jazz. Enjoy live
music, food and wine in venues through the region including wineries, cafes, restaurants and pubs.
For more information: call Maureen Titcumb on 03 5727 0209 or visit www.beechworthonline.com.au
Mildura Writers' Festival, 16-19 July
The Mildura Writers' Festival brings together some of Australia's best writers in an intimate, winter program
of workshops, lectures, and discussion forums with a largely community based audience.
For more information: www.artsmildura.com.au/writers or call (03) 5021 5100
Media contact: Helen Healy, Festival director on 03 50215100 or email helen@helenhealy.com
Australian Sheep and Wool Show, Bendigo, 17 - 19 July
Featuring over 28 breeds of sheep, goats and alpacas, this is the largest sheep and wool show in the
world, incorporating a wool craft competition, an international fleece competition, wool fashion parades,
sheep dog trails and more than 150 stalls. The Australian Sheep and Wool Show is held at the Prince of
Wales Showgrounds, Holmes Road, Bendigo.
For more information: Andrew Ternouth on 03 5439 5094 or visit www.sheepshow.com
whiteOUT, 23 – 26 July, Mt Buller
Join in the fun of Australia’s premier gay and lesbian snow event which celebrates its 10th year in 2009.
whiteOUT, held at Mt Buller, is aimed at both experienced skiers and occasional snow-frolickers.
For more information: call Dr Ian Hogarth on 03 9018 8398 or visit www.whiteout.net.au
Echuca Moama’s Winter Blues Festival, 24 - 26 July
Relax and enjoy the ambience of the Echuca Heritage Port Precinct and High Street with its colourful
restaurants, cafes, pubs, cellar door outlets and attractions during the Echuca Moama Winter Blues
Festival. The soulful music is sure to brighten spirits when a number of popular bands perform. On Sunday
enjoy free blues in the streets and around the port.
For more information: call Echuca Moama District Tourism on 1800 804 446 or visit
www.winterblues.com.au
Stawell Fair Dinkum Farm and Craft Market, 26 July
Visit the Stawell Showgrounds and purchase gourmet food, organic produce, livestock, quality crafts,
garden products and farm produce. The market operates from 9am – 1pm.
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For more information call the Stawell Visitor Information Centre on 1800 330 080 or visit
www.ngshire.vic.gov.au
The Tour of Gippsland, Mallacoota to Paynesville, from 30 July
This five-day bike tour encompasses a stunningly beautiful course showcasing East Gippsland. The tour
will be contested by up to 100 internationally-rated professional cyclists from Australia and overseas.
For more information: www.caribou.net.au
For more information contact:
Natalia Standfield
Senior Media Officer
Destination Communications
Tourism Victoria on 03 9653 9814
Email: Natalia.Standfield@tourism.vic.gov.au
For media images please contact operators direct or register online at visionsofvictoria.com
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