The 2016 QANTAS Australian Tourism Awards were announced at the Darwin Convention Centre on Friday 24 February 2017.
In the Festivals & Events category, bronze went to the Parkes Elvis Festival (NSW), silver to the National Folk Festival (ACT) and gold to the Mount Isa Mines Rotary Rodeo (QLD).
The Parkes Elvis Festival (www.parkeselvisfestival.com.au) occurs each January, to coincide with Elvis Presley’s birthday. Parkes is located 365 kilometres west of Sydney and has a population of around twelve thousand.
The next Mount Isa Mines Rotary Rodeo (www.isarodeo.com.au) will be held on 11-13 August 2017. Over the years, the Rodeo has donated nearly $5 million to charities and cultural and sporting groups in Mt Isa and the north west region.
The National Folk Festival (www.folkfestival.org.au) takes place in Canberra each year over the Easter long weekend. Performers at the coming National Folk Festival (Thursday 13 April to Monday 17 April 2017) include The Bean Project, Bortier Okoe, Colin Lillie, The Changing Room, Desert Child (Guy Ghouse/Damian Watkiss), The Dead Maggies, Fanny Lumsden, FourPlay String Quartet, Fred Smith, Kate Burke/Luke Plumb/Ruth Hazleton trio, Katey Brooks, Martha Tilston, Mic Conway’s National Junk Band, Penny Davies & Roger Ilott, Sally Balfour and Zulya and the Children of the Underground.
The National Folk Festival reportedly injects $6m to $8m into the ACT economy over the five-day event, supported by a small staff and 1200 volunteers. According to its Festival and Artistic Director Pam Merrigan, the National Folk Festival’s silver award is “testament not only to its artistic program that attracts people to the event from all over Australia and overseas but for its record of sustainability and the strong focus placed on the overall experience provided for attendees at all levels of engagement.”
The 25th birthday March/April issue of Rhythms magazine is available digitally from Wednesday 1 March 2017 and shortly after in letterboxes, newsagencies and QANTAS lounges.
SUE BARRETT