G’Day Nashville – We Come From The Land Down Under!
Colin Hay Headlines 2006 Australian Festival...

• The 10^th Annual Australian Festival will be held on September 15-17, 2006 at Centennial Park in Nashville, TN. Over 50 Australian/American Organizations and over 250 participants will come together to put on the largest Australian Festival ever held outside of Australia. The Festival will feature Australian arts & culture, tourism & travel, education & immigration and business & trade -  all from the Land Down Under.

• Headlining the Australian Festival is Colin Hay, former front-man and principle songwriter for the smash group Men At Work, who will be joined by 15 Australian Music Acts including the world’s greatest Bush Band from Melbourne Australia - The Bushwackers and Australian Country Star James Blundell. There will be 40 hours of Australian music and entertainment over the three day festival on 3 main stages showcasing the incredible talent that Australia has to offer.

• Visit Indigenous Australia with Aboriginal Artists including Joanne Reid from the Wiradjuri tribe in New South Wales, Aboriginal Performer and Didjeridoo Teacher Lewis Burns , born and raised on the Talbragar Aboriginal Reserve near Dubbo in New South Wales and Aboriginal Dance Group InDigDance from Northern Queensland and Torres Strait Island with Aboriginal Art Gallery – Walkabout Gallery from San Francisco.

• Win a Trip to the Australian Open Tennis Championships, proudly presented by Qantas, The Australian Open, Southern Cross Travel & Tours & the Australian Festival. The lucky winner will win 2 round trip air tickets to Melbourne, Australia in January 2007 ( Australia’s Summer) with tickets to the 2007 Australian Open Men’s Finals. The Australian Open is Australia’s largest sporting event and always the hottest ticket in town.

• Kids Down Under will entertain and educate with the Land Down Under & Animal Program by Ken tucky Down Under, Indigenous Aboriginal Dance Group InDidgDance,  Australian entertainment on the Tuckerbox Stage, Rock Climbing, Kiddy Rides, Jump Castles, Aussie & Indigenous Face Painting, Aussie Footy & Cricket, an extensive range of Australian merchandise and finish off the adventure with the great Aussie Sausage Sizzle.

• The Australian Expo & Down Under Market Place featuring 20 Australian companies and organizations with products and services including Australian merchandise, Aboriginal Art, Australian books with product spotlights and guest presentations from Australian experts in the area of travel, immigration, & education. 

• Work and Study in Australia with Careers Down Under and Study In Australia (from the Australian Embassy in Washington DC ) are coming to Nashville to promote working, studying and living in the land down under. This includes Secretary of Immigration – Angus Pryor and Executive Director of Study Australia - Dr. Joe Hlubucek.

• Check Out All The Action at Sports Down Under with Australian Football – Australia ’s national game, Cricket - one of worlds oldest games and Rugby - Australia ’s other official football code. Learn about Australia’s Sports Heritage with The Australian Open, The Melbourne Cricket Ground, and The Australian Grand Final.

• And Some Great Aussie Tucker to finish off your visit to the Land Down Under. G’Day Café, The Australian Pavilion, & Jackaroos Pub will be serving great Australian food and drink. Enjoy Meat Pies, Aussie Burgers, Chicken Sangas (sandwich) and our Great Aussie Sausage Sizzle.

• Australian Festival major sponsors include the Australian Embassy, Hardy Wines of Australia, Fox 17, MYTV30, The CW58, Southern Cross Travel & Tours, Down Under Answers, Careers Down Under, Study In Australia, Qantas Airlines, Party Place, BeareWare, and our Official Charity for 2006 – Dismas House.

• Buy Online and Save (Until August 31, 2006 ) – The Australian Festival Ticket Office is now open with 10-25% discount on all ticket prices. Several events & tickets are limited so if you want to guarantee your place down under & save some money log onto www.australianfestival.com and click tickets. Corporate packages available!

Electronic Media Information available at - http://www.gdaynashville.com/press/index.htm
Media Images available at http://www.gdaynashville.com/media_images.htm
Or contact Design Director - vicki@beareware.com  

Other Events During Australian Festival Week – September 11-15, 2006

• Guest Appearances on Tennessee Mornings – September 11-15, 2006 – FOX 17 (6:00-8:00 a.m.)
Watch Tennessee mornings on FOX 17 – 6:00 – 8:00 a.m. as Charlie Chase, Kelly Sutton, Brooke Austin and David Park head down under with special Australian Guests appearing during festival week including music, culture, art as well as daily VIP giveaways to see Australian Festival headliner Colin Hay.

• The Australian Film Festival – Wednesday September 13, 2006 at Belcourt Theatre (6:30-10:30 p.m.)
Featuring “The Dish” – Based on a true story, "The Dish" recounts the emotions, drama and humour behind the 4-day Apollo XI moonshot mission in July 1969 and the extraordinary role that Australia played in televising the historical lunar landing to the world. Featuring guest speaker Peter Croft representing Parkes, New South Wales.

• The Australian Music Forum – Thursday Sept. 14, 2006 at Down Under Market Place (9:00-12:00 pm)
The Australian Music Forum will focus on the music industry in Nashville and the opportunities that exist for Australian and New Zealand artists who are looking to expand their careers in the United States. Guest speakers include international producer Mark Moffat, Jeff Walker of Aristomeida, and Linda Rose, Rose Immigration.

• Gum Trees Gala Celebrating 10 Years – Thursday Sept. 14, 2006 at the Australian Pavilion ( 7:00 pm) Featuring Australia’s Premier Bush Band – “The Bushwackers” – Australian singer-songwriter Neil Murray, and upscale food & drink in the shadow of the Parthenon at Centennial Park – with a big farewell to founder and 10-year director Peter Beare along with recognition of key folks and organizations that have helped build this great event.

• G'day Mates Schools Program – Friday Sept. 15, 2006 – Centennial Park - (9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.)
Australian Educational and Recreation experience for American school children featuring four amazing experiences - Parliament House, Dreamtime Village, Tuckerbox, and Sports Down Under. Children will visit with Australian officials, learn about indigenous Aboriginals, hear folks songs and stories, and participate in Aussie sports, including Cricket and Australian Football. 

- Aussie In The Round at Bluebird Café – Tuesday September 12, 2006 – 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
- Careers Down Under Sessions – Various sessions around Nashville – September 11-15, 2006

2006 Australian Festival - September 15, 16 & 17, 2006
Centennial Park
Nashville, Tennessee

Australian Festival Fact Sheet - Click Here - Australian Festival Layout - Click Here

For more general details about the Australian Festival please visit - http://www.australianfestival.com

To read the history of the Australian Festival - Click Here

FOR FURTHER FESTIVAL MEDIA INFORMATION

Dean Shortland - Managing Director
The Australian Festival
P.O. Box 214
Gladeville, TN 37071-0214
United States
(615) 517-4928 (cell)
(615) 443-9050 (office)
(615) 443-9050 (fax)
E-mail : Managing Director

Additional Media & Image Requests
Design Director - Vicki Payne
(615) 443-9050

About The Australian Festival:

Founded in 1997, the Australian Festival is an Australian celebration held annually in Nashville, Tennessee. From the early days of the Festival, a commitment to Australian authenticity - matched with quality and attention to detail - has produced the largest Australian showcase in North America. 

Over 50,000 patrons have attended the Festival since its inception, enjoying Australian arts & culture, tourism & travel, education & immigration and business & trade -  all from the Land Down Under. The Australian Festival features 10 key areas and operates 6 premier events that provide a unique Australian experience for the whole family.

Australian Festival Major Sponsors:

The Australian Embassy, Hardy Wines of Australia, Fox 17, Southern Cross Travel & Tours, Down Under Answers, Qantas Airlines & BeareWare.

Supporting Dismas House:

The 10th Annual Australian Festival benefits the Dismas House in Nashville, Tennessee. Dismas House is a nonprofit organization founded in 1974 to provide transitional housing and support services to men and women who have been recently released from prison or jail. Dismas House provides a unique form of crime prevention by working with at risk individuals to integrate them with community volunteers, college students, and staff.