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25th September 2008

Mardi Gras to remain World’s Number one after new deal

Sydney’s Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras will reinforce its position as the world’s leading gay and
lesbian festival after securing a significant investment from Events NSW.

Events NSW Chief Executive Geoff Parmenter said he was looking forward to working with the
organisers New Mardi Gras to drive a strategic agenda of consolidation and growth, with the
common goal of positioning the event as the world’s premier gay and lesbian festival, and a
major economic benefit driver for Sydney.

“Events NSW have a real interest in ensuring this iconic event continues to thrive with an
enduring and sustainable business model.  Our investment is directed specifically to the
development of that platform.

“From humble beginnings the Mardi Gras, particularly the street parade, has evolved into one of
the biggest events on the Australian events calendar.

“It has been estimated that the Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras generates more than $30 million of
direct economic benefit for New South Wales each year, and it has become an international
showcase of Sydney’s diversity.

“In support of the agreement we will develop national and international marketing strategies in
conjunction with Tourism New South Wales to ensure tourism visitation is maximised,” Mr
Parmenter said.

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17th September 2008

Tamworth Country Festival

FUTURE OF TAMWORTH’S COUNTRY MUSIC FESTIVAL IN GOOD HANDS

Building on the rich 37-year history of an event that has grown to become the largest festival in the Southern Hemisphere, representatives from Events NSW, Tamworth Regional Council, Tourism Tamworth and the Country Music Association of Australia have announced a strategic long‐term partnership in support of the Tamworth Country Music Festival.

The partnership involves a significant investment from Events NSW which will match the annual contributions to the event from Tamworth Regional Council, Tourism Tamworth Ltd and the Country Music Association of Australia, with funding specifically targeted and dependent on the event’s ability to cultivate economic, marketing and community benefits.

The focus of Events NSW is to take advantage of the strengths of the iconic festival, which annually contributes $50 million to the local economy and attracts over 50,000 people to Tamworth each year.

The partnership marks a major move forward in assuring the long-term future of the Country Music Capital’s flagship event, and developing the festival on an international scale.

Image: Tourism Tamworth Ltd / Bob King Photography

17th September 2008

FIA World Rally

FIA WORLD RALLY CHAMPIONSHIP TO PUT NORTHERN NEW SOUTH WALES ON THE MAP

Events NSW and the Confederation of Australian Motor Sport (CAMS) have announced the prestigious FIA (Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile) World Rally Championship will be staged biennially in the NSW Northern Rivers region, beginning next year and continuing until 2017.

The first event will be Repco Rally Australia 2009, taking place in early September next year at Kyogle.

The FIA World Rally Championship - the highest profile four-wheeled motor sport championship after the Formula One – is set to generate more than $100 million towards the state-wide economy over the duration of the arrangement, and will drive tourism, create jobs and deliver major economic benefits to the community at a local level.

Rally Australia has been previously held in Perth, and following tough competition from other states to host the event this time around, Events NSW is excited to have secured the event for regional New South Wales.

With more than 816 million people in 180 countries watching the televised World Rally event last year, the staging of the Championship locally will also provide a unique platform to showcase the spectacular Northern New South Wales region to the rest of the world.