5 March 2012
 

Australia Week 2012 launched
…Gould & Gary Exhibition opened 

For immediate release

The Australian High Commission is staging its sixth annual Australia Week celebrations from 5 to 11 March this year.

Australian High Commissioner, Ian Kemish AM, when launching the event today, said the week is a celebration of the friendship between Australia and Papua New Guinea (PNG).

“It’s an opportunity to showcase Australian culture and our close links with PNG. These links are strong and diverse: we share a history and geography; we share a love for sport and our sporting heroes; and we are all connected through people-to-people links. There are many Australians whose lives are intertwined with PNG,” Mr Kemish said.

During the launch Mr Kemish and Education Minister, Theo Zurenouc, on behalf of the PNG Government, opened an art exhibition by noted Australian and PNG artists, John Gould and Ratoos Gary.

The exhibition which is on display until Friday is one of many activities organised for Australia Week. Other activities include a film night screening top Australian short films; a performance by Australia’s leading dance company featuring disabled and non-disabled dancers – Restless Dance Theatre; and a concert with a mix of Australian and PNG musicians.

Mr Kemish thanked all the sponsors who made Australia Week 2012 possible.

Platinum Sponsors: SP Brewery, Pacific MMI Insurance, Westpac, Ela Motors, Lamana Hotel, Airways Hotel and Air Niugini.

Gold Sponsors: Australia Network, the Australia-Papua New Guinea Business Council, Rio Tinto, Newcrest, Curtain Brothers, ANZ, Lae International Hotel and Hastings Deering.

Silver Sponsors: Trukai, CHM and Gadens Lawyers.

In-kind Sponsors: Digicel, City Pharmacy, Retail Bakery, and Brown Brothers and De Bortoli Wines, Advance Signs.