culture.gov.au

Connecting you with Australian culture online

ausculture newsletter May 2004

Welcome to Australia's Culture and Recreation Portal Newsletter for May 2004

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The Australian Government has recognised the importance of the film and television production industry by extending the refundable film tax offset scheme to include television series as an eligible format in this year's Budget. The film tax offset scheme has been successful in attracting large budget film productions such as 'The Matrix' series, the third episode of 'Star Wars' and 'Stealth' to Australia.

If you're wondering how the Budget, brought down on 11 May 2004, has affected the art, culture and recreation communities, then you can find out more information at the Department of Communications, Information Technology and the Arts website at http://www.dcita.gov.au/Article/0,,0_1-2_1-4_118771,00.html. The other sites to visit are the Hon Daryl Williams AM QC MP, Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts' website at http://www.darylwilliams.dcita.gov.au/Home/0,,0_7-2_4011,00.html and the Senator the Hon Rod Kemp Minister for the Arts and Sport's website at http://www.dcita.gov.au/Home/0,,0_5-2_4009,00.html.

For more general information on the Budget visit http://www.budget.gov.au/2004-05/index.htm

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Swimming is one of Australia's most popular sports, enjoyed by people of all ages. If you're already dreaming of warmer weather, then look no further than the Portal's articles about swimming, surfing, beaches and the Great Barrier Reef. We've got tons of articles to 'sink yourself into' so visit the Portal's articles at http://www.cultureandrecreation.gov.au/articles/.

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Snippets from our What's New page for May 2004
http://www.cultureandrecreation.gov.au/news/
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The Grand Circle Yeperenye Sculpture celebrating the Yeperenye (Ayepe-arenye) Caterpillar has recently been installed with soundscape. The Yeperenye Caterpillar is the most important of the three caterpillars that are the major creative ancestors of mparntwe (Alice Springs) and the sculpture is displayed in the grounds of the Alice Springs Cultural Precinct.

The soundscape features traditional owners singing the stories of mparntwe and includes music from singer songwriter, David Bridie. On entering the three metre high Yeperenye sculpture, visitors will find information and artworks detailing the caterpillars habitat, life cycle and cultural significance.
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Deckchair Cinema, Darwin's cinema under the stars, is a fantastic way to watch some of your favourite movies and see other films for the first time. The program includes members' screenings, special events, and festivals. Deckchair Cinema show films every night (April to November). This month the upcoming features include 'Soar', 'Springtime in a Small Town', 'Bollywood Film Festival', 'Rocky Horror Picture Show', 'Dogville', 'Puberty Blues', 'Lantana' and 'Tropfest'.
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The call for entries for The Other Film Festival - Melbourne's Disability Film Festival is now on. Entry forms can be found on the Arts Access website and entries close by 31 July 2004. The works need to embrace the theme of 'by, with or about people with disabilities.' Academy Award winner Adam Elliot is the patron of The Other Film Festival which is on from 3 - 5 December 2004 at VCA Federation Hall, Melbourne, Victoria.
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This year's Revelation Perth International Film Festival integrates a symposium component where filmmakers and the community can come together for spirited discussion on not just film but the social environment that surrounds it. The 7th Revelation Festival will run from 1 - 11 July 2004 in various venues around Perth, Western Australia.
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One of the highlights of the Darwin Fringe is the Fist Full of Films Short Film Competition. The 6th annual Fist Full of Films is calling for entries. Entries to the open section must include the keyword 'handle' and be received by close of business 16 July 2004 or postmarked 16 July 2004.
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The 2004 Ausport Awards, to be held during a lunchtime ceremony on 8 July 2004, recognise, reward and showcase good practice in sport. The Awards acknowledge and reward individuals, clubs, community organisations, schools, local agencies and sporting organisations for demonstrating their commitment to good practice in sport - including grass-roots participation, innovative and inclusive programs, quality sports business management, and excellence in sport performance.
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For further details of these and other Australian cultural and recreational news items visit our regularly updated What's New page at http://www.cultureandrecreation.gov.au/news/.

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We have another free email newsletter - the Portal contributors newsletter - produced and distributed by the Culture and Recreation Portal for the owners and managers of websites listed or indexed by our site.

The Portal contributors newsletter focuses on the online environment, website design, technical innovation, educational opportunities and provides specific information to ensure sites can be indexed successfully through our portal.

If you are one of the over 2,900 Australian culture and recreation websites in our directory, go and subscribe to the Portal contributors newsletter at http://www.cultureandrecreation.gov.au/contributors/.

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