The Australia Day duo of Rugby League legend Mario Fenech and long-time Governing and Artistic Director of the Ensemble Theatre Sandra Bates OAM will add gloss to the festivities at Penrith City on 26 January. The 2011 ambassadors will share in the Australia Day excitement, expected to attract 30,000 plus crowds to the Sydney International Regatta Centre for the free celebrations provided by Penrith City Council.Penrith City Mayor Kevin Crameri OAM said he looked forward to Mr Fenech and Ms Bates fulfilling the ambassador roles.
“This year’s Australia Day ambassadors represent the spheres of sport and the arts, which is highly appropriate since these are two great Australian passions,” he said.
“The ambassadors’ successes and absolute dedication to their chosen fields are hallmarks of Australian achievement.”
Maltese-born and Aussie-bred Mario Fenech inspired a nation with his 15 season career playing for the South Sydney Rabbitohs, the North Sydney Bears and the South Queensland Crushers. In his younger years he struggled as an “outsider” at school but soon silenced his schoolyard critics with his rugby league skills. Introduced to the game at age four when handed a pair of shorts, socks and his first league jersey, Mario developed his sporting prowess to earn a spot in South Sydney Rabbitohs’ first grade side in 1981. He became a well-known face on the Channel Nine Footy Show where he entertained Australian television audiences and was admired by a dedicated fan base.
Fellow ambassador Sandra Bates is an acclaimed theatre director with more than 100 productions under her belt. Since 1986 she has held the highly esteemed role of Governing and Artistic Director at Sydney’s Ensemble Theatre. Directing credits include Rain Man, which toured to Penrith and Six Dance Lessons in Six Weeks, which played throughout Australia and received the 2006 Glugs Award for Best Production and the 2007 Helpmann Award for Best Regional Touring Production. Other career highlights include Arthur Miller’s Death of a Salesman, which played at the Sydney Opera House and took out the Glugs Award for Best Production of 1997, and directing the David Williamson plays Charitable Intent, A Conversation, Face to Face, the Sydney Premiere of Birthrights and the World Premiere of Operator.
Sandra has received numerous awards for her commitment to theatre including the Variety Club Heart Award in 2002, the SBW Foundation Achievement Award in 2005 and the Lifetime Achievement Award by the Sydney Theatre Critics in 2007.
The presence of the ambassadors is just one of the highlights of an action-packed Australia Day with more than seven hours of entertainment starting at 2pm, featuring a free open air cinema screening Aussie family films, the largest fireworks and water show outside of Sydney CBD (the ‘Australia Day Spectacular’), live entertainment, water-based amusements, rides, sports displays, a koala retreat and a colourful range of market stalls.
Attendees are advised that ‘Australia Day at the lakes’ is a pet-free and non BYO alcohol event, prohibiting alcohol, glass and unsealed or open bottles. Alcohol sales and consumption will be restricted to a licensed bar at the event.
2011 Australia Day at the Lakes is presented by Penrith City Council and sponsored by Integral Energy, Sport and Recreation - a division of Communities NSW, Penrith Lakes Development Corporation, Woolworths, Penrith Press, Vintage FM, Panthers World of Entertainment, Blue Mountains Bus Company, Delfin Lend Lease, Mulgoa Quarries, O-I, SITA Environmental Solutions, Channel Nine, Penrith City Star, Hix Group Pty Ltd, Fusion FM, Westfield Penrith, the Western Weekender, and Sinclair Ford.
Transport to the event
Complimentary shuttles from Penrith Station will transfer attendees to the venue from 1pm. Those arriving by car can access parking close to the event from 1.30pm before gates open at 2pm. Activities conclude at 9.30pm. For further details and to plan your day visit http://www.penrithcity.nsw.gov.au/AustraliaDay/home.html or call 1300 736 836.
Pic - Former League legend Mario Fenech
