December 2009
- The Business of Events
- In The News
- Greatest Assets
- Celebrate! Events Coming Soon
- Regional Spotlight
- Queensland Events Gold Coast Update
- Asia Pacific Screen Awards
The Business of Events
John O’Sullivan to head Queensland Events Corporation
John O’Sullivan, Chief Commercial Officer for the Football Federation of Australia (FFA), has been appointed Chief Executive Officer of the Queensland Events Corporation and will commence in his role early in 2010. Geoff Dixon, Chairman of Queensland Events, announced the appointment.
“John has an impressive background in event management at the highest level and he is ideally placed to lead Queensland Events into the future,” said Mr Dixon.
“In his role at the FFA, John was instrumental in the growth of soccer in Australia and he has overseen the delivery of major events at a national and international level.
“Queensland Events is moving in to a new era, and we needed a Chief Executive with commercial acumen and a knowledge of the events industry.
“John’s career not only spans the management of major events, but his work in sponsorship and broadcast will be invaluable in his role at Queensland Events.”
A Queenslander, John will be returning home to Brisbane with his family in early 2010.
“All members of the Board are looking forward to working with John and his team at Queensland Events to deliver on bringing big events to Queensland,” said Mr Dixon.
“John’s enthusiasm and professionalism was obvious to us, and we know he will be invaluable to the events industry in Queensland.”
In The News
Festivals Keep Communities Cooking
A recent article in Government News reported on a four-year Australian Research Council-funded survey called the Festivals Project, which examined festivals in rural and regional Australia between 2005 and 2008. The survey interviewed several hundred festival organisers, and produced in-depth case study research on the economic and cultural significance of festivals.
According to Government News, the result was an astonishing insight into how local government can re-energise a flat local economy through community-inspired “jamborees”. The Festivals Project compiled economic data that analysed more than 2800 festivals, with analysis of results of surveys completed by 480 festival organisers, and insights from dozens of individual festivals and communities who participated in the research.
The survey found that 75 per cent of all festivals in non-metropolitan areas were either sporting, community, agricultural or music orientated.
More than 138 festivals (29 per cent) had audiences of fewer than 1000 people; two-thirds had fewer than 5000.
And yet, “Festivals are lively cells of economic activity,” the Festivals Project found, “particularly so in small local economies where their relative impact is greater than in urban areas.”
www.governmentnews.com.au, November 2009 p.16.
Greatest Assets
Tim Horan
Rugby fans still recall the trademark Tim Horan look of unstoppable determination that promised an imminent try. Tim Horan’s rugby career spanned 80 test matches and a remarkable 30 tries. Recently appointed to the board of Queensland Events, Horan’s experience literally in the fray of some of the world’s greatest rugby matches has given him a unique perspective on the power of events.
“It’s amazing what a difference great events can make to a community, big or small,” Horan says.
Originally from Toowoomba, Horan is well prepared for his additional role as chair of the Queensland Events Regional Development Program (QERDP).
Horan is positive about the impact the program – which has invested over $13.5 million in some 645 events since 2001 – is making.
“QERDP funding helps push events to the next level and create a lasting legacy for their local communities,” he says.
“The recent addition of a funding stream to develop major regional events for Queensland is an excellent progression of the program.”
In terms of a “game plan” for the State, Horan says the Queensland Events Board is focusing on strategies to attract more major events to Queensland.
“Attraction of new events and retention of existing events are a key focus,” he says.
“Queensland has a great competitive edge, our lifestyle, our climate and our facilities are up there with the best in the world – we are in great shape.”
CELEBRATE! Events Coming Soon
2009 Australian PGA Championship (PRO AM to potential PGA Champions - By Jess Hall)
By now you would have heard that American Steve Marino will join former champions Nick O’Hern, Peter Lonard, Peter Senior and Craig Parry to contest a star-studded 2009 Australian PGA Championship, from 10–14 December at the Hyatt Regency Coolum.
Untold are the stories of the trainee and Pro Am PGA hopefuls who play round after round, learning the ropes of what it takes to be a PGA Champion one day.
Matt Collum, whose home club is Twin Waters on the Sunshine Coast, is one of these aspiring golfers. His 2009 ranking will prevent Matt from competing at this year’s PGA round, although he will still be present on course – caddying for his friend Andrew McKenzie.
“I have been in the program for a while now, but in order to compete in big events like the PGA you have to be in the top 50 trainees,” Matt says.
The trainee program is a three-year, full-time commitment to work towards becoming a PGA professional. Trainees are given coach and education training courses and spend time with a PGA member to gain on-the-job training and experience.
Upon graduation, trainees can become tournament and club professionals and are qualified to be a vocational coach.
“It will be good to be part of the action caddying for my buddy Andrew, he plays professional golf in Korea for most of the year – my focus for next year is to make it in,” Matt says.
Andrew, who has been playing the Korean circuit since early 2008 and pocketed over $260,000 prize money from his tour successes, chose the Korean tour to get him back into the professional game following an early career injury.
Breaking into the international circuit isn’t an easy thing to do according to Daniel Morrison who has been playing the Pro Am tour here in Australia for the last four years.
“Every Pro golfer in Australia wants to play an overseas tour – there are only a few who go straight overseas and hop into that golden lifestyle. To get over there you have to take a gamble on yourself,” Daniel says.
“Professional golf is an amazing journey. It starts with so many people telling you what you can’t achieve and flows along by you telling yourself what you can achieve,” he says.
“Golf teaches you how to control your emotions. The players who succeed are the ones who have this skill – they are generally calm under pressure and make good decisions.
“I have noticed people play golf the same way they live their lives. From quick and impatient, to negative and doubtful, the key is to stay calm despite what might be going on in your game.”
Australian PGA Championships
www.championship.pga.org.au
Regional Spotlight
Rocky New Year Festival
29 December 2009 – 1 January 2010
You wouldn’t traditionally think of celebrating the New Year in Rockhampton, a city with a reputation for its abundant beef industry.
But once upon a time (in 1988), there was a group of friends who got together and started the inaugural Rocky New Year Festival, which has now been going strong for 21 years.
Their initial, most passionate aim was to see ‘Rockhamptonites’ and visitors to stay and celebrate the New Year in the area instead of heading to the big cities and surrounding islands, with their bright lights and big promises.
Gary Stickley was one of those friends and has been on the Rocky New Year organising committee since its beginnings, experiencing all the ups and downs of festival organisation.
“A lot has happened in 21 years, the funniest year by far was the 1991-1992 New Year,” Gary says.
“There were a couple of thousand patrons already in town and all the roads were cut due to flooding,” he says.
“We had to go arrange for helicopters to bring everybody in – there was a foot of mud but everybody was in such high spirits it didn’t matter. The girls lost their shoes, but it was the funniest, most disastrously successful event we have ever been involved with.”
The same year saw Craig Ross from a property around Mount Nebo swim three creeks, making stops at various neighbours places to help him along the way so he could get to the ball.
“He swam each creek with a set of tails (which is not your average dinner suit) above his head and ended up being the best dressed man on the night,” Gary says.
A uniquely Australian way to see in the New Year, the Rocky New Year Festival has signifigantly grown in size over its 21 year history and is now attended by thousands of backpackers, locals and others who travel far and wide to revel with other partygoers.
Life-long friendships and relationships are formed at the celebrations Gary says, with some even eventuating in marriage.
“Two of our present committee members, Todd Grayson and Anita Willams have been together for eight years, the Donovan family has seen three marriages as a result of family members meeting their partners at the festival,” he says.
“Everybody has their barriers down at this event, it’s easy to meet new people especially if guests are not from Rockhampton,” Gary says.
With over 1000 facebook friends (and counting) and a packed four-day program to say goodbye to 2009 and welcome in 2010, the Rocky New Year Festival will ensure there are no ‘I’m just having a quiet New Year’ celebrations in sight.
The highlight of the festivities always culminates on New Years Eve with the Ball – this years theme is Glamour and Gangsters.
“We think Rockhampton is ready for a change from its image of cowboy boots and hats,” Gary says.
“Glamour and Gangsters promotes a classy atmosphere and with acts like Adam Brand entertaining I think we will achieve this,” he says.
“The real highlight of the event for me is watching all the people at the Ball from a vantage point at midnight having a great time – the atmosphere is contagious”.
While you’re in the area, check out the Rockhampton Botanical Gardens – not often on a tourists’ ‘to do’ list, Gary claims this is one place you should not miss while in the self-proclaimed beef capital of Australia.
The best way to keep up-to-date with the Rocky New Year Festival is at www.ballevents.com.au, it has all the latest information and news.
The Rocky New Year Festival is benefitting from funding under the Queensland Events Regional Development Program (QERDP).
Rocky New Year Festival
Where: Rockhampton
When: 29 December 2009 – 1 January 2010
Contact: Gary Stickley – Ball Events, gary@ballevents.org.au
Queensland Events Gold Coast Update
Gold Coast Airport Marathon Named Queensland's 'Best' Event
“The Gold Coast Airport Marathon has gone from strength to strength to become a major event on the international running calendar,” said Tourism Minister Peter Lawlor.
“Last year almost 24,000 runners entered, including 2000 from overseas.”
All Queensland Tourism Award winners will progress to the Qantas Australian Tourism Awards to be held in Hobart on 26 February 2010.
Organised by Queensland Events Gold Coast since 2001, the annual Gold Coast Airport Marathon celebrated its 30th year in 2008 with record numbers and a massive tourism injection into the Gold Coast.
General Manager of Queensland Events Gold Coast, Cameron Hart, said the Queensland Tourism Awards was acknowledgment of the event’s growth this decade and its substantial tourism impact on the Gold Coast, Queensland and Australia.
“Since Queensland Events Gold Coast took over its management in 2001, the event has increased its entry numbers each year,” said Hart.
“It has also established a permanent date on the first Sunday in July, a permanent home at the Southport Broadwater Parklands and a long-term naming rights sponsor in Gold Coast Airport.
“What enables such an influx of entrants and tourists is that the Gold Coast Airport Marathon offers something for everyone to strive for.
“The 2008 event had entrants from five up to 90 years of age, and of all abilities. Casual joggers were in the same field as Olympic runners and Paralympic wheelchair athletes, and could mix with event ambassadors including Australian running legends Rob de Castella, Steve Moneghetti, Lee Troop and Pat Carroll, and Japanese running celebrity Yuko Arimori.”
Mr Hart said the Gold Coast Airport Marathon was now regarded as one of the leading holiday marathons in the world.
“The Gold Coast is an attraction for visiting runners with a huge range of travel and accommodation options, and leisure activities for the whole family.
“The event is also highly regarded for runners to produce fast times and personal bests with its flat course and traditionally good weather conditions.
“It also showcases many Gold Coast features including the broadwater, surf beaches, high rises, surf and yacht clubs, parks and numerous local hospitality businesses.”
Register now to be part of the 2010 Gold Coast Airport Marathon – visit www.goldcoastmarathon.com.au.
Asia Pacific Screen Awards
APSA Live
Australian films Samson & Delilah and Mary & Max were among 13 films from the Asia Pacific region recognised in the third annual Asia Pacific Screen Awards (APSA) ceremony, held at the Gold Coast Convention Centre on November 26. Attended by more than 800 film industry luminaries from the Asia-Pacific region, and around the world, a broadcast of the glittering APSA ceremony is available to view at www.asiapacificscreenawards.com
Thirty-seven films representing 16 countries and territories were finalists in the Awards, with winners coming from Australia, Japan, Republic of Korea, Islamic Republic of Iran, Israel, Palestinian Territories, People’s Republic of China and Thailand, and high commendations from the Jury for films from Australia, India, Republic of Korea and Russian Federation.
The Awards were determined by an International Jury headed by notable Chinese director and producer Huang Jianxin, joined by Tahmineh Milâni (Islamic Republic of Iran), Gina Kim (Republic of Korea), Aden Young (Australia), Andrew Pike (Australia) and Pryas Gupta (India).
Thailand’s Sawan Baan Na (Agrarian Utopia) won the UNESCO Award for outstanding contribution to the promotion and preservation of cultural diversity through film and the Award was accepted by the filmmaker, Uruphong Raksasad. This is the first year that Thailand has been nominated in the APSAs.
Japanese producer Isao Matsuoka was the recipient of the FIAPF Award for Outstanding Achievement in Film. Mr Matsuoka was on the Gold Coast to personally accept his award.
The Awards Ceremony featured a special performance by Japanese star, AI, who performed the feature track from Okuribito (Departures). The awards were hosted by Australian television’s Indira Naidoo and Peter Thompson and special guest presenter, CNN’s Anna Coren.
For a full list of the award winners, visit www.asiapacificscreenawards.com
Find out what's on and where
www.queenslandevents.com.au/events
