MEDIA RELEASE
24 January 2007
For immediate release
FIRST EVER AUSTRALIA WEEK BEGINS IN PNG
The Australian High Commission is staging an Australia Week in Papua New Guinea for the first time this year.
The exciting week of events starts on Australia Day this Friday and runs until 2 February. Many of the events are open to the general public.
The Australian High Commissioner to PNG, His Excellency Mr Chris Moraitis, said: “Australia Week 2007 is about promoting Australia and also highlighting the strong relationship between Australia and PNG.
“Australia is a wonderful country – a democratic and multi-cultural society with a strong economy and a vibrant cultural life. Australia Week will give a brief taste of what Australia has to offer.
“The week of events is also a celebration of the close relationship between Australia and PNG and in particular the close people-to-people links. This week will hopefully strengthen those links further and offer something for everyone to enjoy.”
One of the main highlights is a marvellous exhibition of Indigenous art from Australia at the Holiday Inn in Port Moresby. It opened last Saturday and is free.
The Australian High Commissioner will be addressing the business community at the Crowne Plaza on 30 January. He will also be speaking in Lae on 6 February.
The Australian band Mental As Anything will play three gigs in Port Moresby. The first is a consular registration function at the High Commission for Australian citizens on Friday. Tickets for the other two performances – at the Port Moresby Country Club on Saturday and the Yacht Club on Sunday – are available from the venues.
There are a range of other events planned for the week including the launching of a book about Australia and PNG relations in the 1960s, an Australian Film Festival on EM TV, promotions by local companies and the first meeting of the recently formed PNG-Australia Alumni Association.
Media Inquiries: Leigh Arnold, Public Affairs Manager, Ph: 325 9333 ext 275, Mobile: 683 9811