UK language courses

St Kilda Film Festival 6 - 11 May 2008, Port Phillip Bay

This popular event, carried out on Port Phillip Bay, south of Melbourne is the longest running festival of short films in Australia, which then goes on tour for two months. In 2008, St Kilda celebrates its twenty-fifth anniversary.
The event features a number of filmmaking presentations and forums for the industry professionals. An emphasis is put on the live performances, as well as on the newest technology fusions.
With prize of A $30000 across all categories, the competitors at St Kilda are well encouraged. In last years the annual entries have been around the 500 mark, from which some one hundred and sixty are shown in contest. Since ‘02 there is also an emphasis on the music video - “soundKILDA”, which has now become usual part of the festival.
The opening gala night is carried out at the impressive Palais Theater in Melbourne.

Finke Desert Race 6 - 9 June 2008 Alice Springs

Initially carried out in ‘76 and now called the Tattersall’s Finke Desert Race, this contest is one of the largest yearly sport events held in Alice Springs and one of the most interesting off-road races in the Southern Hemisphere. The two day race, starting from Alice Springs to Aputula (Finke) and back again is roughly two-hundred and forty kilometers each way and is open to motorcycles, quads, as well as other vehicles designed for hard off-road conditions. Imagine plenty at stake, especially in the form of pride, great machines and clouds of dust and you are on the right track. There are usually around ninety cars and three hundred bikes competing here. On the Friday, all the vehicles are put on display in the Blatherskite Park Showgrounds to be investigated by race officials, but also by spectators and fellow rivals.

Moreton Bay Family Fishing Challenge 7 - 9 June 2008 Redland Bay

Carried on during the Queen’s Official Birthday Weekend, the Moreton Bay and Offshore Family Fishing Challenge is popular annual fishing contest open to all ages and a funny family day out. After the Queen’s Golden Jubilee in ‘02 this event became bigger and bigger, now with a total prize of more than A$ 100000 and offering prizes of up to A$ 1000 in 5 main categories (whiting, pelagic, snapper, pearl peach, bream) and with smaller prizes for the rest of the categories. Apart from the fishing areas of the Moreton Bay Marine Park, the competitors can also fish in the rivers and waterways leaking into Moreton Bay, from Caloundra to the Nerang River, as well as all the water area between these points. The fishing rivalry is pretty popular, recognized as one of the largest fishing events on the Australian East Coast. Those who want to participate in the fishing competition have to register in Redland Bay before the official opening on the first evening.

Concerts in the Caves (various dates) Jenolan Caves, New South Wales

Every year you have a great chance to visit an amazing classical music concert in New South Wales. It is held in the Cathedral Chamber of the magnificent Jenolan Caves. Such a concert can be visited every third and last Saturday of each month.
The third Saturday is reserved for George Mertens who plays the cello. He is giving these concerts for ten years and has learned to play the most suitable things for the acoustics of the chamber.
The final Saturdays are again for Mertens, but this time he plays the guitar and his partner is Gustaw Szelski who plays the violin. Together they form the great Paganini Duo and they play different lively tunes from Hungary, Romania, Russia and Spain.
As you might guess the Cathedral Chamber is an ideal place for concerts – it has pure acoustics advanced by the limestone formations. The concert and the tour of the Lucas Caves last about two hours and you should not forget bringing warm clothes.