Australians of the Year announced, Tetsuya Wakuda headlines Great Barrier Reef Feast Series, and the world’s first Gay Race Day to be held at Randwick racecourse
 Victorian youth mental health expert Professor Patrick McGorry has been named as the 2010 Australian of the Year at the awards ceremony held in Canberra. Western Australia’s Trooper Mark Donaldson VC was named as Young Australian of the Year, while South Australian cook and restaurateur Maggie Beer was named Senior Australian of the Year. NSW food rescuer Ronni Kahnwas named as Australia’s Local Hero 2010. To coincide with this year’s awards, a new selection of portraits has been launched at the National Portrait Gallery collection to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Australian of the Year awards. Past winners of the awards are displayed in the introductory gallery and as a trail throughout the gallery spaces. The exhibition also includes Young Australian of the Year, Senior Australian of the Year and Local Hero winners, recognising the individual achievements of a range of inspiring Australians. This free exhibition runs until 26 April.
Online Day Spa Guide launched
A comprehensive new Day Spa Guide to Australia has been launched online. The guide is a one-stop shop with listings of every spa in Australia including all day spas, hotel spas, spa retreats, beauty spas, health spas, health retreats, medical spas, and massage therapists.
Mungo Lodge upgraded
Mungo Lodge, surrounded by the heritage-listed Mungo National Park in New South Wales, has undergone a new refurbishment and has re-opened as a 4-star property with 17 Australian style accommodation rooms that include modern furnishings and local artworks. The owners of the lodge, Indigenous Business Australia, have also taken steps to reduce their carbon footprint and are in the process of achieving eco-tourism certification.
Tetsuya to feature in Great Barrier Reef series
Tetsuya Wakuda will be the first featured chef at the launch of the new Great Barrier Feast Series which will take place on Hamilton Island on 12-14 March. He will be joined by renowned wine critic, James Halliday, who is selecting all the wines for the series. The series will comprise of three ‘Chef’s Table’ weekends which will be held in March, July and November this year. The exclusive events will showcase the finest food and wine across two of the Island’s premier venues, qualia and the new Hamilton Island Yacht Club.
Pete Evans headlines Faraway Bay cooking school
The Celebrity Cooking School in Faraway Bay, Western Australia will be hosted by well-known Australian chef Pete Evans. Pete is one of the country's best known chefs and recently appeared on MasterChef Australia. At the school, guests will enjoy camp oven cooking lessons, learn the art of cleaning and filleting a fresh fish, and experience a mouth-watering range of seafood recipes overlooking the waters of Faraway Bay. The laid-back and informal flavour allows guests to be as hands-on as they please. The four-day all-inclusive package, for 12 guests only, includes air transfers from Kununurra, the Cooking School, all meals, beverages and activities, accommodation, and recipe cookbook.
Hire a caddie at Australia Zoo
Australia Zoo's Hire a Caddie Tour is a new way to spend a day at the wildlife tourism attraction. Guests can select their very own caddie driver to personally drive them around Australia Zoo for up to five hours. This tour highlights the colourful 40 year history of Australia Zoo as well as providing insight into the $100 million dollar expansion plans. The tour takes up to five people and includes refreshments.
Big Bend’s new outback pub tour
Big Bend has launched a new outback pub tour in South Australia. The tour begins at Sedan Hotel, the meeting place for all locals and visitors travelling via the 5 main roads running through the Murraylands. The tour also takes in the famous Mt Mary's Hotel – known as ‘the pub with no town’- before heading to the river and the two popular pubs of Morgan. Full of tales and memorabilia, this new tour includes complementary drinks and dinner.
The world’s first Gay Race Day to be held at Randwick racecourse
Royal Randwick is set to attract thousands of racegoers when it hosts the first Gay and Lesbian race day to be held in the world. The event will be held on 26 February on the eve of Sydney’s Mardi Gras Parade and will be in aid of the Bobby Goldsmith Foundation, Australia’s longest-running HIV charity. Leading the charge will be Australia’s Queen of racing, Gai Waterhouse, who is the race day’s ambassador. A highlight of the day will be the Fashions on the Field competition including Best Dressed Male, Best Dressed Female and Best Costume categories. |
