Tag: Australia

Australia wins bronze, Lauren Jackson scores 30 in finale

SYDNEY — Lauren Jackson admitted she couldn’t have imagined a better ending to her Hall of Fame career.

Jackson willed Australia to a win in the bronze medal game at basketball‘s World Cup, scoring 30 points to lead the Opals to a 95-65 win over Canada on Saturday.

“I could have never dreamed of this,” Jackson said. “I can’t imagine it. I can’t actually articulate how I feel right now. It’s a dream come true. The fact that it’s over, there’s nothing bittersweet. It’s so, so special and I’ve the pleasure doing it here. It’s been perfect.”

It was a throwback performance for the 41-year-old mom, who came back to the Opals after retiring in 2016 because of injuries. Jackson said on social media Saturday that this would be her final game for Australia and that she was “lucky to have this opportunity to represent Australia and also say goodbye. I didn’t get that chance all those years ago.”

“To say goodbye this way is just magnificent,” Jackson said. “I couldn’t imagine that.”

She played in 43 World Cup games in her career, matching Brazil’s Janeth Arcain for most all-time. Jackson won three bronze medals and led the Opals to their lone gold in 2006.

The U.S. won its fourth straight World Cup gold medal, defeating China 83-61.

Australia (6-2) was coming off a disappointing last-minute loss to China in the medal round. After a sluggish start, Jackson got the team going scoring nine points in the opening 20 minutes as Australia led 51-43 at the break. Kia Nurse kept Canada in the game with 19 points in the first half. She didn’t score in the second half.

Jackson then took over scoring 12 of her points in the third quarter when Australia extended the lead to 71-54. Jackson, who had been used sparingly throughout most of the tournament, broke out an array of post moves that were reminiscent of her dominant MVP seasons in the WNBA playing for Seattle.

Her three-point play with 1:07 left in the third gave Australia a 17-point advantage — its biggest lead of the game to that point.

Australia coach Sandy Brondello, who played with Jackson on the national team, put Jackson back in with just under 6 minutes left and took her out to a rousing ovation with 2:22 remaining as she hit two free throws to end her night. Jackson received hugs from her teammates, who then lifted her up after the final buzzer.

“It was a fairytale ending and I couldn’t be more happy for her,” Brondello said.

Canada (4-3) was looking for its first medal since 1986 when the North American country won the bronze. Even with the loss, the Canadians advanced further than they had in any World Cup in 36 years.

The teams met in pool play with Australia coming away with a 75-72 win that helped them earn the top seed in the group.

TIP-INS:

Jackson became the all-time leading scorer in World Cup medal-round games, surpassing her friend Diana Taurasi’s mark of 63. Jackson finished with 81. … Jackson has now scored over 30 points in a medal game twice — the only player to do it. She had 31 against South Korea in 2002.

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More AP women’s basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/womens-basketball and https://twitter.com/AP—Sports

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October 1, 2022
‘Predatory,’ widespread sexual harassment on Australia’s Antarctic research bases, report finds | CNN

CNN
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Australian women working on research bases in Antarctica have been plagued by a widespread culture of sexual harassment, a recently released report found.

The report, commissioned by the Australian Antarctic Division (AAD), notes that the women reported unwelcome requests for sex, inappropriate sexual comments and displays of offensive or pornographic material.

“Given the underrepresentation of women in the AAP (Australian Antarctica Program) (especially during winter) some women also described the culture as ‘predatory’ and objectifying,” the report said, while other participants described a homophobic culture on stations.

The report, conducted by associate professor Meredith Nash from the University of Tasmania, also revealed female expeditioners feel they “must go to great lengths to make their menstruation invisible” and go through “additional psychological and physical labor to manage” menstruation, including changing their menstrual products without privacy or adequate sanitation.

Australia’s Environment and Water Minister Tanya Plibersek said in an interview with Australian public broadcaster ABC she was “gobsmacked” to read the report.

“Let me be absolutely clear: there is no place for sexual harassment or inappropriate behavior in any workplace,” Plibersek said in a statement Thursday, calling the treatment described in the report as “unacceptable.”

The report made recommendations on how to change the culture at the stations, including the creation of an “equity and inclusion task force.”

Plibersek said Australia’s Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water is working through the recommendations.

Australia is not alone in combating these issues.

The report on the Australian research bases in Antarctica comes a month after the US National Science Foundation (NSF) released an assessment of the US Antarctic Program which found that “sexual harassment, stalking, and sexual assault are ongoing, continuing problems in the USAP community.”

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October 1, 2022
Canada into women’s World Cup semis for 1st time since 1986

SYDNEY — No one on Canada’s roster was alive the last time the team won a medal at the women’s World Cup. Now the Canadians are a win away from securing one for the first time since 1986, when they captured the bronze.

Kia Nurse scored 17 points to lead a balanced Canada team to a 79-60 win over Puerto Rico on Thursday in the quarterfinals.

“It’s really special,” Nurse said. “It’s been a work in progress for us and we all felt the disappointments. Quarterfinals have been our downfall for a long time and to be able to get over that hump. … I think our country is continuing to get really excited about basketball in the grassroots programs and this is just the start of what we can accomplish.”

Next up is a matchup Friday with the U.S., which beat Serbia 88-55.

“It’s always our goal to win a quarterfinal and make it to the semifinals. The medal rounds is where we want to be,” Canada’s Bridget Carleton said.

The other semifinal will pit China against either Belgium or host Australia. China advanced with an 85-71 win over France. While the medal drought isn’t as long as Canada’s, China hasn’t won one since 1994 when the Asian nation took the silver.

Canada (5-1) and Puerto Rico were tied 4-4 before the Canadians scored the next 12 points to start a 22-7 burst to close the quarter.

The lead ballooned to 44-23 at the half. Puerto Rico couldn’t really cut into its deficit in the second half thanks in part to Nurse and the fact that Canada committed only four turnovers the entire game. After spending 11 months recovering from an ACL injury, she saw her first game action in the World Cup. She had her best game of the tournament against Puerto Rico.

The loss ended a great run for Puerto Rico, which advanced to the quarterfinals for the first time in its history. The players hoped the unprecedented run could bring some joy to the island which is recovering from Hurricane Fiona.

“The word legacy sums it up,” said Arella Guirantes, who had 19 points to lead Puerto Rico (2-4). “To leave something like that for the youth that’s coming up is bigger than any win or loss that we can have. . . . It means a lot to be a part of the beginning of a legacy. I have no doubt in my mind that we’ll be back and will be better.”

UNITED STATES 88, SERBIA 55

Alyssa Thomas had 13 points, 14 rebounds and seven assists to help the U.S. beat Serbia.

Kelsey Plum scored 17 points and A’ja Wilson added 15 to lead the Americans (6-0), who will face Canada.

The Americans had run through pool play, winning by 46.2 points per game and hadn’t faced any kind of challenge. Serbia (3-2) wasn’t afraid though, going right at the U.S. The Serbians scored the first basket of the game — marking the first time the Americans trailed in the tournament.

It was back-and-forth for the first 17 minutes, with the U.S. failing to go on any major run. Then, with 2:59 left in the half and the U.S. up by five, Kahleah Copper drove to the basket and was fouled. She landed hard on her hip and had to be helped off the court by the U.S. training staff. Copper, who has been a sparkplug for the U.S. in her first tournament, didn’t return.

Plum replaced Cooper and hit the two free throws, starting a 12-0 run to close the half as the Americans led 50-33 at the break. Serbia didn’t challenge that deficit in the second half.

Yvonne Anderson led Serbia with 14 points.

CHINA 85, FRANCE 71

Li Meng scored 23 points and Huang Sijing added 18 to help China top France.

China (5-1) led 60-58 late in the third quarter before scoring the final six points of the period to extend the advantage to eight. France could only get within five the rest of the way

China’s run is a big turnaround from 2018 when the team finished sixth.

“I remember 2018, I know this is a very strong team,” said Chinese center Han Xu, who had 13 points and nine rebounds. “We learned a lot.”

Marine Fauthoux scored 19 points and Gabby Williams added 17 for France (3-3).

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More AP women’s basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/womens-basketball and https://twitter.com/AP—Sports

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September 29, 2022
Australia mulls tougher cybersecurity laws after data breach

CANBERRA, Australia (AP) — The Australian government said on Monday it is considering tougher cybersecurity rules for telecommunications companies and blamed Optus, the nation’s second-largest wireless carrier, for an unprecedented breach of personal data from 9.8 million customers.

Optus said last Thursday it had become aware the day before of the cyberattack which obtained the details of 9.8 million people — of Australia’s population of 26 million.

Cybersecurity Minister Clare O’Neil told Australian Broadcasting Corp. the hack was an “unprecedented theft of consumer information in Australian history.”

For 2.8 million current and former Optus customers, the breach involved “significant amounts of personal data,” including driver’s licenses and passport numbers, O’Neil said.

Those 2.8 million people are at significant risk of identity left and fraud, she said.

“The breach is of a nature that we should not expect to see in a large telecommunications provider in this country,” O’Neil told Parliament.

In some countries, such a breach would result in fines “amounting to hundreds of millions of dollars,” O’Neil said.

Australian law doesn’t currently allow for Optus to be fined for the breach.

“A very substantial reform task is going to emerge from a breach of this scale and size,” O’Neil said.

“One significant question is whether the cybersecurity requirements that we place on large telecommunications providers in this country are fit for purpose,” she added.

Australian Federal Police said in a statement that reports the stolen data had already been sold were under investigation.

Australian investigators are working with overseas law enforcement agencies to determine who was behind the attack and to help shield the public from identity fraud, the statement said.

“To protect the integrity of the criminal investigation, the AFP will not divulge what information it has obtained in the first few days” of the investigation, police said.

Jeremy Kirk, a Sydney-based cybersecurity writer, said he used an online forum for criminals who trade in stolen data to ask someone who claimed to have downloaded the Optus information how it was accessed.

Optus appeared to have left an application programming interface, a piece of software known as an API that allows other systems to communicate and exchange data, open to the public, she said.

“It looks like it was a failure to secure the software system, so anybody on the internet could find it,” Kirk told Ten Network television.

O’Neil didn’t detail how the breach occurred, but described it as a “quite a basic hack.”

Optus had “effectively left the window open for data of this nature to be stolen,” she said.

O’Neil called on Optus to offer compromised customers free credit monitoring to protect them from identity theft, a request that the Sydney-based company complied with later on Monday.

Optus announced it was offering its “most affected” customers free 12-month subscriptions to Equifax Protect, a credit monitoring and identify protection service.

Optus said the information that had been accessed by an unidentified third party included customers’ names, dates of birth, phone numbers and email addresses.

Police and other government security agencies worked through the weekend to protect affected customers, O’Neil said.

Government agencies were also working with the banking sector to protect customers.

“This is complex. It’s legally and technically complex, but we are working on a solution,” O’Neil said.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese described the breach as a “huge wake-up call for the corporate sector.”

Albany foreshadowed potential changes to privacy provisions so that banks can move more quickly to protect their own customers after such a breach.

“We know that in today’s world there are actors — some state actors, but also some criminal organizations — who want to get access to people’s data,” Albanese said.

Optus chief executive Kelly Bayer Rosmarin said in a statement last week that, “We are devastated to discover that we have been subject to a cyberattack that has resulted in the disclosure of our customers’ personal information to someone who shouldn’t see it.”

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September 26, 2022
Sydney WorldPride Welcomes the World With Giant Human Progress Flag
SYDNEY, June 24, 2022 (Newswire.com)
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Nearly 1,000 Sydneysiders have created a giant human Progress Flag on the steps of the Sydney Opera House.

The colourful display marks the 44^th anniversary of the first Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras and sends a message of welcome to the world as Sydney, Australia gears up to host WorldPride in 2023, with the hotly-anticipated tickets going on sale from 15 July. Locals and visitors alike can sign up to access early bird tickets.

Sydney’s famous Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras is a must-do in the calendar of global Pride festivals – and Sydney WorldPride will be a 17-day celebration of Australian LGBTQIA+ fabulousness, with over 300 events across the city.

Taking place from 17 February to 5 March 2023, Sydney WorldPride will celebrate Australia’s brilliant and diverse LGBTQIA+ community, in a city renowned for its diversity, inclusivity and proud LGBTQIA+ population.

More than 500,000 people are expected to participate in Sydney WorldPride and the festival will feature much-loved events including the world-famous Mardi Gras Parade, which will be returning to Oxford Street for the first time in three years.

In addition, there will be exciting one-off Sydney WorldPride major events:
- Live & Proud – Sydney WorldPride’s Opening Concert, presented by American Express – we’re getting the party started with this opening concert, hosted by Courtney Act and Casey Donovan.
- Pride Villages – for 10 days from 24 February, sections of Crown Street and Riley Street will be closed and become home to stalls, dining and performances. On the final weekend of Sydney WorldPride, a section of Oxford Street itself will be closed to create a giant street party.
- Bondi Beach Party, presented by Optus – for one day only, the sandy jewel of Sydney will become the city’s hottest club for 12,000 people.
- Sydney WorldPride Human Rights Conference – the largest LGBTQIA+ human rights conference ever held in the Asia-Pacific region.
- Blak & Deadly: The First Nations Gala Concert – experience a rainbow explosion of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander LGBTQIA+ artistry, across a two-hour concert hosted by Steven ‘Faboriginal’ Oliver at the Sydney Opera House.
- First Nations Gathering Space – held at Carriageworks and running across six nights, featuring exhibits, theatre, dining and drag.
- Rainbow Republic, presented by Optus – six hours of live music, DJs and performances await you at The Domain, for a queer megamix of international and local acts.
- Ultra Violet – an inclusive LGBTQIA+ women’s party at Sydney’s Town Hall where burlesque stars, cabaret performers and drag kings take to the stage.
- Domain Dance Party – dance with 10,000 of your mates at the biggest LGBQTIA+ outdoor dance party Australia has ever seen.
- Pride March – 50,000 people will join this historic Pride march across one of the world’s most-recognisable landmarks, the Sydney Harbour Bridge.
Local and international headliners for major events will be revealed later this year.

Sydney WorldPride Chief Operating Officer, Gabriel Pinkstone, said: “In just a few months, Sydney will be transformed as more than 500,000 people come together for the global family reunion LGBTQIA+ people have been waiting for.”

“Sydney WorldPride is a party with a purpose, and will celebrate Sydney’s most iconic locations, from Bondi Beach to the Sydney Opera House and the Harbour Bridge.”

“It’s the biggest summer event of 2023 and we can’t wait to welcome everyone back to celebrate Pride with Australia’s diverse LGBTQIA+ community.”

As well as Sydney WorldPride’s major events, there will be over 60 specially curated arts events and more than 20 sporting events as part of WorldPride Arts and WorldPride Sports. WorldPride Arts have been made possible thanks to Create New South Wales (NSW).

Sydney WorldPride will also feature a special one-off event in Newcastle called Pink Salt, an outdoor long table dinner to be hosted at The Station, featuring live performances and outrageous design.

Minister for Enterprise, Investment and Trade, Minister for Tourism and Sport and Minister for Western Sydney, Stuart Ayres, said: “Sydney WorldPride 2023 will showcase our incredible and inclusive city to a global audience and will re-establish Sydney as a must-visit destination for visitors.”

“It’ll be the first time this event has been held in the Southern Hemisphere and has the potential to be the biggest event Sydney has seen since the Sydney 2000 Olympics.”

“As a city and a state, we are embracing the freedom we have earned through the hard times of the past two years.”

“The NSW Government continues to invest in world-class entertainment, hospitality and events; our goal is to be the events capital of the Asia-Pacific and supporting Sydney WorldPride 2023 helps achieve this.”

“NSW is ready to host this event and we are encouraging visitors to make the trip to enjoy the best that Sydney has to offer.”

Local artists, producers and party promoters are also being invited to take part in Pride Amplified, a dedicated open-access program for arts, culture, experiences and parties, with hundreds of events expected to take place across Greater Sydney.

Clover Moore, the Lord Mayor of the City of Sydney, said: “The City is proud to be a fierce ally of the rainbow community and we are delighted to welcome the world to Sydney for Pride in 2023!”

“This is a fantastic moment for Sydney. Hosting WorldPride 2023 is an affirmation of our city as a richly diverse and accepting society, open to the world and inclusive of all, and a wonderful opportunity to help our arts, tourism and hospitality sectors that were so hard hit by the Covid pandemic.”

Gil Beckwith, Chief Financial Officer, Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras, said: “We’re incredibly excited to welcome the world’s LGBTQIA+ communities to our city for Sydney WorldPride and Mardi Gras.”

“This event will not only showcase the iconic surrounds of Sydney and NSW as a premier tourist destination, but it will also boost the profile of the Mardi Gras Festival to international audiences, creating a legacy that will have an important impact on the growth of Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras and our community in years to come.”

TICKETS

Every year, Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras is the hottest summer event in Sydney, with international headliners and visitors from around the globe joining one of the world’s most renowned Pride festivals.

Tickets go on sale to the general public at 09:00 AEST on 15 July via SydneyWorldPride.com.

To secure early access to Sydney WorldPride tickets, sign up now at sydneyworldpride.com to access pre-sale tickets from 09:00 AEST on 11 July. Mardi Gras Members not only get pre-sale access but discounted tickets on many Mardi Gras events.

American Express Card Members will also have access to a selection of Sydney WorldPride pre-sale tickets from 9 am AEST, 11 July via the American Express website (T&Cs apply).

Sydney WorldPride is proud to offer $49 + booking fee tickets to select events for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people through MobTix, and for select concession card holders through our Affordability Program.

Special thanks to Gildan Brands Australia for their generous donation of over 1,000 Gildan t-shirts worn by the participants in the Human Progress Flag.

MEDIA CONTACT: Matt Fraser: mfraser@originalspin.com.au phone +61 401 326 007

ABOUT WORLDPRIDE

WorldPride is a global event licensed by InterPride, which is awarded to a different host city every 2-3 years.

Like the Olympics, cities bid to host the event and deliver a comprehensive program of arts, culture and festivals designed to engage global LGBTQIA+ audiences. The first WorldPride took place in Rome in July 2000, followed by Jerusalem (2006), London (2012), Toronto (2014), Madrid (2017), New York (2019) and Copenhagen + Malmo (2021).

FULL LIST OF 2023 EVENTS

A full list of the Sydney WorldPride festival’s events is as follows:

Source: Sydney WorldPride
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June 24, 2022
Australian Pet Ownership Reaches All Time High, Say Experts

More Australians own pets now than ever before, reports Aussie Pet Doors – find out why.

Press Release
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Jun 22, 2022

MELBOURNE, Australia, June 22, 2022 (Newswire.com)
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Since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, an increasing number of Australian families, couples and individuals have welcomed pets into their households for a variety of reasons. In fact, according to the leading provider of dog beds Australia-wide, Aussie Pet Doors, Australian pet ownership has reached record highs over the past two years. Aussie Pet Doors explains why owning a pet is so attractive to so many people.

More than two million Australian households have acquired a pet since the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic, says Aussie Pet Doors. According to recent surveys carried out by Animal Medicines Australia, nearly 70 percent of all Aussie households own a pet; of that 70 percent, 50 percent own a dog. These numbers represent record-breaking levels of pet ownership across the country – but pet experts aren’t surprised.

Throughout Australia during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, households experienced extensive lockdowns and isolated periods. Restrictions were in place, keeping people from meeting their friends and family, going out for drinks and meals, and in some cases, even staying out past a certain time of night. One small freedom that remained intact throughout the pandemic, however, was the ability to leave the home to exercise outdoors. This prompted many Australians to adopt or buy pets – especially dogs – who could accompany them while exercising outside.

Pet ownership also curbed the loneliness and isolation of extreme lockdowns and provided many households with the opportunity to pour their energy into training and taking care of the pet. Aussie Pet Doors reports that during this time, sales in dog beds, outdoor pet equipment, toys and more were through the roof as owners bought up all the necessary supplies.

Experts say that the loving nature of pets was a very welcome ray of light during tough lockdowns and many pet owners report that their new companions made it easier for them to make it through each day. To shop dog beds – large and small – plus a range of other pet accessories, visit Aussie Pet Doors today.

Please call us on 1300 558 577 to ensure someone can assist you, or email us at sales@australianpetdoors.com.au

Source: Aussie Pet Doors

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June 21, 2022
Expert Tips for Easing Separation Anxiety in Pets

Curing a pet’s home alone blues can be a daunting task – the leading supplier of dog toys Australia-wide, Aussie Pet Doors, reveals their expert tips for easing separation anxiety.

Press Release
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Jun 21, 2022

MELBOURNE, Australia, June 21, 2022 (Newswire.com)
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Covid-19 restrictions have eased, which means pet owners are spending more and more time out of the house. While it’s exciting for owners, it can be distressing for pets to have to adjust to an increased amount of time away from their owners. Pet experts Aussie Pet Doors reassures owners that there are a number of tactics to help ease separation anxiety in pets.

Separation anxiety in pets can cause them to wreak havoc on a home or annoy the neighbours with incessant whining and barking. This can occur when owners spend a longer time out of the home than usual, when a loss of a family member occurs, when there’s been a change of ownership, after an address change or even in the midst of a schedule change. Pet experts maintain that it is imperative that owners put a stop to separation anxiety-induced behaviour in pets as soon as possible.

For mild separation anxiety, Aussie Pet Doors suggests ensuring a pet has a number of ways to stay occupied while left alone. Cat and dog toys, puzzles and brain games are all fantastic ways to distract a pet until the owner gets home. Experts recommend these methods because not only are they distracting, but they also provide significant mental stimulation for the pet. Mental stimulation is just as beneficial as physical exercise and can even tire a pet out so that they will fall asleep easily.

If distractions aren’t sufficient, experts advise owners to invest in some natural, calming supplements. Supplements can reduce anxiety and improve pets’ health; introduce them slowly into a pet’s diet to ensure they don’t have an adverse reaction. In addition to supplements, owners are urged to leave out some recently worn clothing that smells like them for the pet to cuddle up with so that the pet can feel like their owner is still home.

For more serious cases of separation anxiety, Aussie Pet Doors recommends consulting a veterinarian for more intensive treatment options.

Please call us on 1300 558 577 to ensure someone can assist you, or email us at sales@australianpetdoors.com.au

Source: Aussie Pet Doors

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June 21, 2022
History Made Over Sydney’s Magnificent Harbour

Paramount+ Illuminates Sydney Harbour With The Southern Hemisphere’s Largest Ever Drone Light Show at Vivid Sydney

Press Release
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May 29, 2022

SYDNEY, May 29, 2022 (Newswire.com)
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With 600 drones, history was made last night (AEST) over Sydney’s magnificent Harbour.

For one night only, Paramount+ partnered with Vivid Sydney 2022 to dazzle audiences with the largest drone and light show ever seen in the Southern Hemisphere. Vivid Sydney is the annual festival of Light, Music and Ideas that will transform Sydney into a fusion of creativity, innovation and technology from Friday 27 May to Saturday 18 June.

With the help of SKYMAGIC, Paramount+ transformed the wintery evening sky into a sprawling canvas, as a fleet of 600 perfectly choreographed LED-equipped drones shape shifted and synchronised into enormous 3D images and sequences, illustrating some of the premier streaming service’s most iconic stars and scenes.

Illuminating the Sydney skyline, the drones painted quintessential scenes and objects including a Mission Impossible countdown clock, Star Trek: Strange New Worlds’ U.S.S Enterprise, SpongeBob SquarePants himself, HALO‘s Master Chief and Cortana’s voiceover, PAW Patrol‘s Chase, Top Gun‘s fighter jet, South Park‘s orange-clad Kenny, and the brand-new logo for the highly anticipated, crime-fighting local production, NCIS: Sydney.

Wondering what it takes to create the biggest drone show in the Southern Hemisphere? Keep an eye out on our Paramount+ social media channels to find out.

For more information and to purchase tickets to Vivid Sydney events go to www.vividsydney.com

Join the conversation:

www.ParamountPlus.com.au

@ParamountPlusAU

www.vividsydney.com

@vividsydney #vividsydney

Media contacts:

Karina Jurisic – Senior Publicist

kjurisic@networkten.com.au

M: +61 421 576 794

Wayne Mitcham – Destination NSW

wayne@amio.nz

M: +64 21 499 550

Source: Vivid Sydney

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May 29, 2022
Sydney Has International Travellers Feeling Good as Borders Reopen

Press Release
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Feb 21, 2022

SYDNEY, February 21, 2022 (Newswire.com)
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Destination NSW proved today why Sydney city is still the number one Australian destination for international visitors, providing the first international arrivals in almost two years with a memorable and energising welcome back to the Harbour City.

An entourage of drag queens and surf lifesavers, iconic characters synonymous with Sydney and NSW, were the ultimate welcoming committee for all travellers arriving from destinations including Los Angeles, Tokyo, Singapore, San Francisco, London and Vancouver on the first day of international borders reopening.

Complimentary coffees and fresh juices were also part of the welcome activity, together with a musical rendition of Feeling Good by Phat Brass, the track recently recorded for the New South Wales Government’s state marketing and promotional campaign, Feel New South Wales, and ensured all arriving travellers were feeling good on their return into Sydney.

The welcome activity was a collaboration between Destination NSW and Sydney Airport and coincides with the second phase of Destination NSW’s Feel New marketing campaign to send the message to all travellers that Sydney and NSW are open and will excite, energise and inspire travellers through their unique and diverse natural and cultural experiences.

For information on Sydney, check out sydney.com.
#feelnew #feelnsw #feelnewsydney

Media Assets

Images and video assets can be accessed here

Media Contact

Wayne Mitcham, Amio Limited – wayne@amio.nz

About Destination NSW

Destination NSW is the lead NSW Government agency for the State’s tourism and major events industry and is responsible for devising and implementing strategies to grow the State’s visitor economy. Our particular focus is driving tourism and acquiring and developing major sporting and cultural events for Sydney and regional NSW. In addition, Destination NSW is the major investor in Business Events Sydney (BESydney) with the aim of securing more international conventions, incentive travel reward programs, corporate events and exhibitions.

Source: Destination NSW

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February 21, 2022
Destination NSW Counting Down to Vivid Sydney 2022: 100 Days to Go

SYDNEY, February 16, 2022 (Newswire.com)
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In 100 days from today — on Friday 27 May — Vivid Sydney will return, transforming Sydney city with an exhilarating fusion of creativity, innovation and technology.

Staged over 23 nights, the 2022 festival will deliver mesmerising art displays, 3D light projections, uplifting live music performances and deep-dive discussions from the world’s brightest minds. Plus, in a festival first, the renowned Light Walk will stretch continuously for 8km, linking the Sydney Opera House to Central Train Station with 47 installations and projections.

Minister for Enterprise, Investment and Trade, Minister for Tourism and Sport and Minister for Western Sydney Stuart Ayres said Vivid Sydney will deliver joy and discovery to the Central Business District (CBD), spearheaded by the launch of two Countdown Clocks, to count down the 100 days until the festival’s Lights On moment.

“After a two-year hiatus, I am delighted to launch the 100-day countdown for Vivid Sydney 2022, which will be a fantastic celebration of a return to life,” Ayres said.

“The 2022 program will be the biggest and brightest yet, with many festival-firsts, providing even more reasons for visitors from all over the world to immerse themselves in our city at its creative best.

“Vivid Sydney makes a vital social and economic contribution during winter. From our creative industries to entertainment and hospitality venues, accommodation and retailers, it supports the entire ecosystem of the New South Wales visitor economy.”

Designed by renowned Sydney artist Elliott Routledge, who is also featured in the 2022 festival program, the Countdown Clocks will be located outside Sydney’s Queen Victoria Building at Town Hall and Gateway Plaza, Circular Quay. Sydney visitors can check out these Insta-worthy timepieces, capture a picture and share on social media using #vividsydney. A virtual version will also feature on vividsydney.com.

Festival Director Gill Minervini, who will direct her first Vivid Sydney in 2022, said this year’s program captures the essence of Sydney’s soul, and what makes the city so authentically unique.

“Vivid Sydney tells the compelling story of Sydney’s creativity and innovation, shared with a distinctive narrative that resonates around the world. We are innately drawn to Sydney’s urban landscape as a unique canvas, bringing us together to celebrate, reflect and immerse ourselves in this charismatic, surprising and intriguing city,” said Minervini.

“This year, Vivid Sydney will deliver fresh experiences for festival-goers. We are proud to have such an impressive collection of Sydney’s most prolific and world-renowned artists involved in the 2022 program. This includes the unmistakable work of Ken Done, delivering the Customs House projection with For Sydney With Love, and Ramesh Mario Nithiyendran’s multi-limbed avatar Earth Deities, enthralling audiences with animated fire and electricity.”

Vivid Sydney’s 2022 Light Program promises to captivate with several firsts for the event. This includes the longest continuous Light Walk, which will activate new areas of Sydney’s CBD including the Goods Line and Central Station, as well as a way-finding installation to guide festival-goers along the Light Walk, plus the festival’s largest-ever laser installation.

Not-to-Miss Vivid Sydney 2022 Light Installations

For Sydney With Love, Customs House, Circular Quay

In collaboration with Sydney-based projection specialists Spinifex Group, Sydney artist Ken Done captures the joy of Sydney like no other, inspired by his 80-year love story with the city. For Sydney with Love is a celebration of Sydney, its icons and natural environment — on the foreshore and the Harbour, under the sea, in the sky and through the artist’s imagination.

Earth Deities, Hickson Road Reserve, The Rocks

One of Australia’s hottest artists, Ramesh Mario Nithiyendran, who grew up in Western Sydney, specialises in large-scale sculptural forms fabricated from compacted earth, steel and paint. His multi-limbed avatar generates spectacle, ritual and gathering, and will enthral audiences with animated fire and electricity.

Convergence, The Goods Line, Central Station

Produced by Sydney’s own Mandylights, Convergence is a fully immersive journey of light and sound that will transform the disused Goods Line railway tunnel for the first time ever. Presenting the largest scale laser installation at Vivid Sydney, this is a never-to-be-forgotten experience.

Future Natives, Various Locations

For the first time in the festival’s history, the Light Walk will run continuously for 8km from Sydney Opera House to Central Station, with visitors guided along the Light Walk by Future Natives, a sculptural way-finding installation featuring a flock of 200 Sydney bird species created by Sydney artist Chris Daniel.

Vivid Sydney 2022 will activate and energise the Sydney CBD, Circular Quay, The Rocks, Barangaroo, Darling Harbour, Goods Line and Central Station, as well as iconic city structures such as Sydney Opera House, Sydney Harbour Bridge, MCA and Customs House.

The full Vivid Sydney program will be announced in mid-March. Go to vividsydney.com for more information. Vivid Sydney is proudly owned, managed and produced by Destination NSW, the NSW Government’s tourism and major events agency.

MEDIA CONTACT:
Wayne Mitcham, Amio Limited, +64 21 499 550, wayne@amio.nz

NOTE TO EDITORS: Download media assets including a VNR with grabs from Minister Ayres and Gill Minervini, 100 Days sizzle, Countdown Clock and Light installation assets from the Vivid Sydney News Room: www.vividsydney.com/news-room.

About Vivid Sydney:

Vivid Sydney is an annual celebration of creativity, innovation and technology, which transforms Sydney for 23 days and nights. Staged for its 12th year in 2022, Vivid Sydney fuses mesmerising art displays and 3D light projections with exhilarating live music performances and deep-dive discussions from some of the world’s brightest minds, as well as the Sydney Opera House Lighting of the Sails. Vivid Sydney is owned, managed and produced by Destination NSW, the NSW Government’s tourism and major events agency.

Source: Destination NSW

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February 16, 2022
Biden cancels visits to Australia and Papua New Guinea as debt ceiling negotiations continue | CNN Politics

CNN
—

President Joe Biden is canceling his upcoming visits to Papua New Guinea and Australia due to the ongoing debt ceiling negotiations in Washington, the White House confirmed Tuesday.

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said in a statement Biden spoke to Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese earlier Tuesday to inform him he will be “postponing” the trip and invited the prime minister for an official state visit “at a time to be agreed by the teams.” Jean-Pierre added that the “President’s team engaged” with the prime minister of Papua New Guinea.

Biden will still travel to Japan starting Wednesday as part of what was supposed to be a weeklong trip through the Pacific region.

Earlier Tuesday, National Security Council coordinator for strategic communications John Kirby told reporters that the White House was “reevaluating” the stops to Papua New Guinea and Australia.

“What I can speak to is the G7 and going to Hiroshima. The president is looking forward to that. We are taking a look at the rest of the trip,” Kirby told reporters.

The cancellation canes as congressional leaders met with Biden at the White House to discuss the debt limit. The Treasury Department has warned that the government default could come as early as June 1, and Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen has said a default would trigger a global economic downturn.

This story has been updated with additional developments.

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April 12, 2021
Australian firm sues Twitter for $665,000 for not paying bills | CNN Business

Sydney
Reuters
—

An Australian project management firm has filed a lawsuit against Twitter in a US court seeking cumulative payments of about A$1 million ($665,000) over alleged non-payment of bills for work done in four countries, court filings showed.

Sydney-based private company Facilitate Corp on June 29 filed the suit in the United States District Court for the Northern District Of California claiming breach of contract over Twitter’s failure to pay its invoices.

The Australian firm’s lawsuit is the latest alleging non-payment of bills and rent against Twitter

(TWTR) since Elon Musk bought the social media platform for $44 billion last year.

Facilitate said from 2022 through early 2023, it installed sensors in Twitter’s offices in London and Dublin, completed an office fit-out in Singapore and cleared an office in Sydney.

For those works, Twitter owed the company about 203,000 pounds ($257,000), S$546,600 ($404,000) and A$61,300 ($40,700), respectively, Facilitate said.

Twitter, also known as X Corp, no longer has a media relations office. Reuters could not immediately reach Twitter’s Australia office.

Facilitate said it was seeking compensatory damages in an amount to be determined at trial, legal costs and interest at the maximum legal rate.

In May, a former public relations firm filed a suit in a New York court saying Twitter had not paid its bills, while early this year, US-based advisory firm Innisfree M&A sued it, seeking about $1.9 million for what it said were unpaid bills after it advised Twitter on its acquisition by Musk.

Britain’s Crown Estate, an independent commercial business that manages the property portfolio belonging to the monarchy, in January began court proceedings over alleged unpaid rent on Twitter’s London headquarters.

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April 12, 2021
Ghassan Aboud Awarded as the Leading Hospitality Investor by Hotel News ME

Press Release
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updated: May 3, 2018

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, May 3, 2018 (Newswire.com)
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Dubai based entrepreneur Ghassan Aboud was awarded as the “Leading Hospitality Investor” during the Leaders in Hospitality Awards event organized by BNC Publishing on April 29, 2018 at the St Regis Hotel, Dubai. Ghassan Aboud is the promoter of the multi-business conglomerate, the Ghassan Aboud Group that was established 25 years back with the UAE as the headquarters.

The annual event is hosted by the leading regional publication Hotel News Middle East to recognize and honour leading regional and international players in the hospitality sector. The winners were judged by a panel of renowned experts drawn from the hospitality industry.

I am honoured to be recognized at this prestigious event as an international investor. With the outstanding management team that we have, I am confident that Crystalbrook Collection will deliver exceptional customer enjoyment at some of the world’s most desirable destinations.

Ghassan Aboud, CEO

The award recognized Ghassan Aboud’s pioneering foray into the hospitality sector with project commitments to the tune of AU$ 800 million, through the creation of a portfolio of luxury hotels under the brand name – Crystalbrook Collection.

Upon receiving the recognition, Ghassan Aboud said, “I am honoured to be recognized at this prestigious event as an international investor. With the outstanding management team that we have, I am confident that Crystalbrook Collection will deliver exceptional customer enjoyment at some of the world’s most desirable destinations.”

Wissam Youhane, CEO-BNC Publishing said, “Once again I am humbled to be associated with this fantastic industry. It is a real honour to see so many talented people assembled in one place to share their achievements with us. At BNC Publishing we endeavor to shine a light on the prowess of those within this amazing sector and that is what the awards were all about – taking the opportunity to give something back to those who give so much to us.”

In the hospitality sector, with an initial focus on Australia, Ghassan Aboud’s investments are being deployed in acquisition, development and management of prime hospitality assets. The assets include 5-star hotels, luxury apartments, marina operations and high-end retail. In addition to the hospitality portfolio, the group has invested into a substantial pastoral business with a land area of 35,000 hectares.

The ultimate ambition of Crystalbrook Collection is to become a world-class brand associated with unique lifestyle destinations.

About Ghassan Aboud Group

Established in 1994, the Ghassan Aboud Group operates from its global headquarters in the with business operations in Australia, Belgium, Jordan and Turkey. The multi-billion group is well entrenched in automotive, hospitality, pastoral, real estate, retail, catering, media and art production businesses.

The image for this release can be viewed at: www.pressreleasenetwork.com/newsroom/news_view.phtml?news_id=5090

Contact:

Moatasem Al Ahmad
Ghassan Aboud Group – Marketing
Po Box 294377, Dubai
United Arab Emirates
Email : moatasem@gagroup.net
Phone : +9714 881 4300; www.gagroup.net

About Crystalbrook Collection

Crystalbrook Collection is a portfolio of distinctive luxury hotels where differences are applauded. Each hotel and resort carries an authentic expression of its location. Add playful designs, a stimulating environment and a passion for fun and you have a uniquely enriching experience.

Contact:

Katie Malone
Group Director, Marketing
Crystalbrook Collection
Surry Hills House
Level 2, 10-14 Waterloo Street
Surry Hills, NSW 2010, Australia
Phone: +61 2 9048 4403
Email: katie.malone@crystalbrookcollection.com
https://www.crystalbrookcollection.com.au

Source: Ghassan Aboud Group

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May 3, 2018
Meet a Scientologist—School Principal Fiona Milne, Helping the Next Generation Thrive

As the daughter of a minister, wanting to help people came naturally to Fiona Milne. But it wasn’t until she learned about Scientology that she found out how.

Press Release
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Jul 11, 2016

New South Wales, Australia, July 11, 2016 (Newswire.com)
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New South Wales, Australia, July 7, 2016 (Newswire) -When Scientologist Fiona Milne of Sydney, Australia, learned about Study Technology developed by Scientology Founder L. Ron Hubbard, she also found her calling in life.

Milne grew up in a religious family. ”My father was a minister of religion and he was very interested in helping people lead better lives,” she says. “So for me, that was perhaps an inborn idea that you grow up to help people. And I still believe that an important part of growing up and your education is your ability to help others.”

I’m doing what I want to do and the rewards from that are amazing. I really, truly love seeing my graduates and hearing where they are around the world and the impact they are having. They go out from here knowing they can help someone else.

Fiona Milne, Scientologist and headmistress, Athena School, New South Wales, Australia.

Following her parents advice she studied nursing, but she ran into trouble.

“I was very distressed about my nursing exams,” she says. “I met a young man who was a Scientologist and he introduced me to the Study Technology and I was empowered as a student. From that point on I decided I wasn’t going to let children suffer how I’d suffered in the classroom. I went back to university and then studied my post graduate degree in education.”

Scientology also helped Milne as a wife and mother. “Being a Scientologist helped me raise my children with understanding,” she says. “It also led to us having a nice, calm household. Constantly busy, always very active, but very seldom was there an upset in the household because we also knew how to handle upsets very quickly.”

It was when her children were young that she became involved in establishing a school that uses Study Technology. “I have been working here at the Athena School for 25 years now,” she says.

Milne describes how using this technology gets miraculous results. One example was a young man who didn’t like science. She applied a simple technique of clearing words that he didn’t understand. “After sitting down with him for a few minutes and defining the word science and the purpose of science, he’s now one of our most enthusiastic young scientists.”

Milne finds her life very satisfying. “I’m doing what I want to do and the rewards from that are amazing,” she says. “I really, truly love seeing my graduates and hearing where they are around the world and the impact they are having. They go out from here knowing they can help someone else.”

Scientology has given her the tools to handle the various situations that arise in life and to understand and help people. “Instead of being effect of what’s going on in their lives, I can help them do something about it,” says Milne. “It’s a real joy being a Scientologist and being part of a community that can help their fellow man.”

The popular “Meet a Scientologist” video profiles on the Church of Scientology International Video Channel at Scientology.org reflect the diverse backgrounds and walks of life of Scientologists around the world. Meet Scientologists including educators, teenagers, sports enthusiasts, dancers, managers, mothers, fathers, dentists, photographers, actors, musicians, fashion designers, engineers, students and business owners and find out what Scientology means to them personally.

A digital pioneer and leader in the online religious community, the Church of Scientology was the first major religion to launch its own official YouTube Video Channel, which has been viewed by millions of visitors.

Read the article on the Scientology Newsroom.

Source: ScientologyNews.org

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July 11, 2016