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Australia Day Concert and Fireworks
Enjoy Australia Day with family and friends at Whitehorse’s annual Australia Day Concert and Fireworks.
The free twilight concert will be held on Thursday 26 January 2012 from 6pm to 10pm at the Whitehorse Civic Centre lawns (Soundshell Stage), 379-397 Whitehorse Road, Nunawading.
Whitehorse’s Australia Day Ambassador Mark Mitchell is guest MC for the evening. Mark is known as ‘Australia's gentleman of comedy’ and is sure to keep the crowds entertained throughout the evening with his spontaneous humour.
Delicious food stalls, free rides and amusements will be available from 5.30pm.
On-stage entertainment begins at 6pm with The Mighty Buzzniks who are sure to get children and their parents grooving. The main concert kicks off at 6.30pm with rhythm and blues/soul singer Jade MacRae, followed by a performance by legendary musical duo Deborah Conway and Willy Zygier, and finishing with the rocking sounds of the Robbie Williams Experience. The big screen will ensure everyone in the crowd can view and enjoy the on-stage entertainment.
The evening draws to a close with a spectacular 15-minute fireworks display set to music. Please note that for the safety of the public, Walker Park will be closed and no access will be provided. For the best view of the fireworks, Council recommends that patrons remain on the Civic Centre lawns.
Headline Artists
Deborah Conway
Deborah Conway is asignificant contributor to Australian music. Her powerful voice and presence has fascinated audiences for the past 30 years. She continues to be a role model for young women and a mentor to emerging female artists. From the moment her band Do Re Mi released the iconic ‘Man Overboard’ off their debut album Domestic Harmony in 1985, Conway has always followed her own path.
In 1991, Conway won the Best Female ARIA for her debut solo album String of Pearls, considered one of Australia’s emblematic female singer-songwriter albums. The album release was accompanied by an extensive national tour with band The Mothers Of Pearl, in which Willy Zygier played guitar.
This was the start of a highly successful songwriting and personal collaboration for Conway and Zygier that has resulted in eight records and three children.
Jade MacRae
Jade MacRae is an Australian rhythm and blues/soul singer, well known for her Australian Top 50 debut single ‘You Make Me Weak’ and her Top 20 follow-up ‘So Hot Right Now’. The daughter of two musicians, Jade always wanted to pursue a life in music. Her musical education began at a young age – learning piano at the age of three and going on to learn the violin when she was eight.
Jade has been on the live music scene since she was 18 years of age and has performed guest vocals on records for Pnau, The Sleepy Jackson, Disco Montego and others, in addition to her successful solo career.
Robbie Williams Experience
Louie Lee Feltrin is proud to present a tribute to the ultimate modern day show man Robbie Williams. Born in Melbourne, Louie is best known for his impersonation of Robbie Williams on Channel 9's television program Star Struck. He is regarded as the ‘Number 1 Live Robbie Show in the Land’.
Louie performs all the hits from Robbie Williams’ career, including ‘Let Me Entertain You’, ‘Rock DJ’, ‘Better Man’, ‘Millennium’, ‘Kids’, and ‘Angels’, just like the originals while looking the part too!
Mark Mitchell
Known as Australia's gentleman of comedy, Mark Mitchell is one of the nation’s finest and funniest performers. Trained as a teacher of English, Mark taught for five years before deciding to follow his heart into performance. Mark is best known for his success in television’s The Comedy Company during the late 1980s. His character portrayal of a Greek fruiterer named Con endeared him to many Australians. Other television roles have included Mr Fish in the popular ABC children's series Lift Off, Mr Gribble in Round the Twist, and Otto Von Meister in The Genie From Downunder. Mark's first musical theatre performance was as the role of Mr Bumble in the musical Oliver in 2002/03. This was followed by a national tour of the one-man comedy show Defending the Caveman in 2004.
The Mighty Buzznicks
The Mighty Buzznicks bridge the gap between music for toddlers and teens, bringing a show of diverse musical styles where hip-hop, rock, folk and pop back quirky lyrics for children of all ages. Their songs delve into subjects concerning empathy, social development, tolerance, diversity, imagination and self expression within the realm of humorous story telling. Come on a fabulous musical adventure with this six-piece live band of experienced musicians who create very cool music, funny stories, theatre and a lot of energy that will have kids moving and parents grooving.
Australia Day Civic Awards
Each year, Whitehorse’s Australia Day Civic Awards recognise and promote the wonderful efforts of people who live or work in Whitehorse. The city’s most outstanding citizens will be honoured at the 2012 Australia Day Civic Awards on Thursday 26 January 2012.
The Mayor will announce Whitehorse’s 2012 Citizen of the Year and Young Citizen of the Year at a special ceremony to be held from 4.30pm in the Whitehorse Centre theatre, rear of 397 Whitehorse Road, Nunawading.
In addition, a number of Community Achievement Awards will be given to individuals or organisations that have made a significant contribution to the Whitehorse community.
A local sporting group will be presented with the Australia Day Trophy in recognition of the recreational activities they provide to community members.
The awards provide a great opportunity to thank specific people for their enormous contributions. Award nominations were sought late last year. Awards will be presented at a special ceremony prior to the Whitehorse Australia Day Concert and Fireworks.
The Mayor will also announce and introduce the winners to the audience during the first concert interval. Winners of the 2012 Australia Day Civic Awards will be featured in the February edition of the Whitehorse News.