A Kylie Exciting New Year for Sydney

Global superstar Kylie Minogue will fly into Sydney next week to take part in the city’s official New Year’s Eve (NYE) celebrations.

The Australian-born singer, songwriter, actress and fashion icon will see out the final moments of ‘K25’ – her year-long celebration marking 25 years in the music business – right here in Sydney, where she will lead the countdown into the Midnight Fireworks Spectacular.

Ms Minogue has enjoyed a close association with the Harbour City this year, visiting Sydney several times and working as the Creative Ambassador for the City of Sydney Council’s NYE festivities.
The role has seen the ARIA, BRIT and Grammy award-winner work with the City’s production team to develop the event’s theme “Embrace” and its logos, street banners, musical soundtrack and fireworks display.

The Creative Ambassador role is one of a number of Sydney-based initiatives for Kylie this year.
In March, the pop icon took part in Sydney Mardi Gras, appearing at the event’s famous street parade and performing a half-hour set of her hits at the after-party.

Sydney was one of just four cities visited this year by Ms Minogue’s Anti Tour, the others being Melbourne, London and Manchester.

The tour saw Kylie perform a selection of rare tracks, demos, b-sides and previously unreleased material in an intimate, pared-back setting at Luna Park’s Big Top.

The shows were conceived as a counterpoint to the singer’s highly technical, big-budget Aphrodite Les Folies tour of 2011, which encompassed 77 concerts in 50 cities, including three shows at the Sydney Entertainment Centre.

Speaking about her role in Sydney’s NYE festivities, Ms Minogue said in a statement: “This year I want everyone to embrace during the fireworks.

“Whether it’s embracing new ideas, change and opportunities, or just giving a big hug to your family and friends, it’s something everyone can get involved in.”

Dugongs Treated With a Lettuce Christmas Tree at SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium

SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium’s resident dugong, Wuru, today celebrated Christmas early as she indulged in an edible Christmas tree constructed entirely from her favourite food – lettuce leaves. Pig and Wuru are two of only six dugongs on display anywhere in the world.

The cos lettuce leaves replicate the sole food dugongs consume in their natural environment – seagrass; and between the two of them, they consume up to 1,500kg of iceberg lettuce leaves a week – totaling up to $140,400 worth of lettuce a year.

Weighing in at around 3kg, the tree was constructed by a variety of sizes of cos lettuce leaves and involved two SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium team members threading lettuce for over four hours. To top it off, the impressive edible sculpture was adorned with festive baubles made of apples.
Under the close supervision and care of Andrew Barnes, Dugong Keeper, both Pig and Wuru have been transitioning smoothly back into their new home, Dugong Island, which was refurbished as part of a 9 month, $10M overhaul that saw the attraction relaunch as SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium this September.

Andrew Barnes, Dugong Keeper at SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium commented: “While it may seem rather dull in comparison to an indulgent, brandy-soaked fruit cake, our dugongs certainly love their cos lettuce leaves, and so we couldn’t think of anything more suitable than a lettuce tree this Christmas”.

Listed as vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), both Pig and Wuru were orphaned in the wild in QLD, arrived in 2008 and took up residence in a purpose-built exhibit. SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium actively contributes to dugong research and supports the University of Queensland with their annual assessment of the health of wild dugong populations.

The animals’ spectacular new home has a viewing platform from above, which allows guests to view Pig, Wuru and the other residents of Dugong Island from above sea-level. Much like SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium’s other grand Oceanarium Shark Valley; Dugong Island contains an ocean-tunnel walkthrough that delves deep into the underwater world, giving visitors the chance to come face-to-fin with these beautiful, friendly creatures of the sea.

Located in the heart of Sydney at Darling Harbour, visitors to the recently refurbished SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium will be taken on a journey of amazing discovery through 14 newly-themed areas, including the new Shark Walk,Tropical Bay of Rays, Discovery Rockpool, Mangrove Swamps, South Coast Shipwreck, Dugong Island and the stunning new ocean tunnel walk-through, Shark Valley.

For more information on the newly relaunched SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium, please visit: www.sydneyaquarium.com.au

What: SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium, Aquarium Wharf, Darling Harbour (right next door to WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo and Madame Tussauds Sydney)
Opening hours: 9am – 8pm daily. Last admission 7pm
Cost: Walk-up price – Adults: $36, Children (4-15yrs): $20
For the best value, combine SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium with a pick and mix of your other favourite Sydney attractions including WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo, Madame Tussauds Sydney, Sydney Tower Eye and Manly SEA LIFE Sanctuary. The more you see, the more you save.

Sydney's Best Public Christmas Display's

The Christmas tree outside Sydney's St Vincent's Hospital

Another festive season is upon us Sydney. I know Pitt Street Mall was a construction site for almost two years, and just before Westfield Sydney was born at Christmas almost two years ago now. My my the time has flown. Before the original death of Pitt Street Mall, the Christmas decorations around this shopping precinct used to be stunning. Not anymore.

At the top of the Swarovski Christmas tree at QVB

So therefore, where is Sydney's best public Christmas display? The nativity scene (sure, not a Christmas tree yet is still a public Christmas display) at the windows of David Jones on the corner of Elizabeth and Market Streets is a historical treasure. Both the young and the not so young (maybe the young at heart) stop by, morning, noon and night to view the spectacular nativity scene and the moving characters with Christmas carol tunes like they're about to go out of fashion. With a camera in tow it is easy to take happy snaps of every single Christmas window at David Jones in the city.

The nativity scene at the David Jones Christmas windows in the city

On the other hand, the Swarovski Christmas tree at the Queen Victoria Building is a delight again. Tomorrow, as at the time of writing this; the Swarovski Christmas tree will compliment the beautiful Swarovski crystal garden. This is where santa pays a visit at level 2. The sparkles and the sheer size of this tree makes the Swarovski Christmas tree one of the best public Christmas displays in Sydney. Many locals and tourists take pictures of each other in front of the tree from any floor at this opulent shopping space. Sydney is also looking forward to the crystal garden opening tomorrow, and again as at the time of writing this for 2012. A fun, Christmas sanctuary awaits.

More glimpses of the David Jones Christmas windows - reflection

It is rare for any hospital to have a Christmas tree outside its main entrance. Despite being a place for healing and rest, many people would not expect a Christmas tree to be perched in front of a busy medical institution. However, things are different at St Vincent's Hospital at Darlinghurst. Although the decorations look plain, however taking into account the artistic thought that went into the blending of the gold and silver decorations is captivating. The tree stands proud in a well maintained garden. If you find yourself eating your lunch, or perhaps just sitting down on the lawn somewhere at the park across the road, it is great to be able to see a massive tree of life opposite you.

Another public Christmas display in Sydney City

Free Christmas on the Green @ Hyde Park

Pack a picnic and make a night of it

Christmas on the Green, a great night for kids at Christmas

Christmas on the Green is traditionally one of the high points of the Christmas calendar for those with young children in Sydney, and 2012 is set to be no different - in fact, it's going to be a cracker. As in past years, Hyde Park will be transformed into a Christmas wonderland - the perfect space for families with younger children to settle down with a picnic and get the festive season off to a fantastic start.

Kids' favourite Jimmy Giggle will be host the night, but there will be entertainment from all sorts of familiar faces, such as Peppa Pig, Mumble and Gloria from Happy Feet Two, and Jay Laga'aia from Playschool. Musical entertainment will be provided by children's entertainment act Electric Lunchbox, the Australian Girl's Choir and Jay Laga'aia will also doing a few songs too.

Jimmy Giggle (sans Hoot) will host Christmas on the Green in Hyde Park. image: ABC

The whole event will be interactive, with songs and actions that the kids can join in with, as well as craft activities that they can take part in. For those who aren't keen on packing a picnic, there will also be a sausage sizzle and delicious gelato on sale. If you want a memento of the night (and to start the Christmas gift giving early), a limited number of showbags will available for a $2 donation - the proceeds go to the Australian Children's Music Foundation charity.

Of course, no Christmas kids event would be complete without Santa, so as if all the other activities are not enough, Santa will also be making an appearance, along with the Lord Mayor, having just lit the lights at Martin Place. He'll be wishing everyone a happy Christmas, and making sure that the boys and girls are going to be good before the big day.

The night's activity will end with a spectacular fireworks display, especially designed for kids.

This event gets pretty busy, so it's wise to get there a little early to get a good spot. Spread out your rug, unpack your snacks, and settle in for the duration, it's going to be a jolly good time.