The Crocodile Hunter, Hugh Jackman, and a Sold-out Crowd Celebrate Australia at Wolf Blass Aussie Festival.
EVENT: G'DAY LA: AUSTRALIA WEEK 2006 WOLF BLASS AUSSIE FESTIVAL
The Wolf Blass Aussie Festival featured the very best of
Australia, from Steve Irwin and his passion for helping
animals to its friendly people and popular sports.
The Crocodile Hunter Steve Irwin kicked off the day with
his lively and educational show on the world's most
endangered animals. Opening the show was the Aboriginal
performance group Tjapukai and the Qantas Choir.
The show's highlights included the Western Diamond Back
Rattlesnake, a beautiful blue Hyacinth Macaw (ironically
Irwin was most afraid of the rare bird), a "drop dead
gorgeous" Rhinoceros Iguana (who had a little stage fright
and two accidents on Irwin's arm), the threatened Gila
Monster, a playful Bengal Tiger, a Grey Wolf and an
Alligator with a "great set of choppers."
Heart pounding moments included an Anaconda (which took 5
handlers to bring the baby 15 foot snake to the stage) that
lovingly wrapped itself around Irwin and Irwin's dance with
the deadly King Cobra.
The crowds then visited tourism booths, tucked into Aussie
meat pies, petted Kangaroos and wallabies and enjoyed the
Wolf Blass wine tent.
The day was topped off by the US's first-ever AFL sanctioned
Australian Rules Football match. The North Melbourne
Kangaroos handily beat the world champion Sydney Swans
before a sold-out crowd of 3,000, with a final score 86 to
38.
After a big night out at Australia Week's kick-off event,
the Penfolds Icon Gala Dinner, the night's two honorees Hugh
Jackman (a Melbourne boy) and Olivia Newton John made it out
to the festival with their families. John Travolta and
"Prison Break" star Dominic Purcell (a huge Sydney Swans
fan) also joined them in the Wolf Blass VIP tent to watch
the match.
Joining the celebrities were top Australian dignitaries and
business icons, including Consul General John Olsen, Rupert
Murdoch, The Honorable Peter Costello, The Honorable Fran
Bailey, The Honorable Tim Fischer, His Excellency Ambassador
Dennis Richardson, The Honorable Minister Haermeyer, Cameron
Daddo and pro surfing star Layne Beachley.
DATE SUNDAY, JANUARY 15, 2006
PLACE UCLA, Westwood, California
EVENT
SPONSORS: Wolf Blass, Tourism Australia and Qantas Airways
NOTES TO
MEDIA: Photos available upon request
G'DAY g'day interj Austral & NZ informal same as good day g'day or gidday interjection Austral., N.Z. LA: AUSTRALIA Australia (ôstrāl`yə), smallest continent, between the Indian and Pacific oceans. With the island state of Tasmania to the south, the continent makes up the Commonwealth of Australia, a federal parliamentary state (2005 est. pop. WEEK 2006 G'Day LA: Australia Week 2006 is a festival from January January: see month. 14-20, 2006, showcasing all things Australian Australian pertaining to or originating in Australia. Australian bat lyssavirus disease see Australian bat lyssavirus disease. Australian cattle dog a medium-sized, compact working dog used for control of cattle. , including food and wine, travel, film, arts, culture, fashion and business and is produced by the Department of Foreign Affairs foreign affairs pl.n. Affairs concerning international relations and national interests in foreign countries. and Trade, Tourism Australia Tourism Australia is a statutory authority of the Government of Australia, with responsibility for tourism marketing within Australia and internationally, as well as research and forecasting of domestic and global tourism trends. , Austrade AUSTRADE Australian Trade Commission , and Qantas Airways airways Anatomy The 'pipes'–trachea, bronchi, bronchioles–through which air passes to and from the alveoli. See Small airways. in conjunction conjunction, in astronomy conjunction, in astronomy, alignment of two celestial bodies as seen from the earth. Conjunction of the moon and the planets is often determined by reference to the sun. with State Governments and key private sector sponsors. For a list of events or more information, visit www.australia-week.com. |
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