Mr KIELY - 2002-08-13
I noticed last month that Dawn Fraser joined the minister in launching the 100 Days to Go promotional campaign for the Alice Springs Masters Games, which will be held later this year. Can the minister provide an update on current arrangements for the games, and what efforts are being made to ensure the success of this year’s event?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker; I welcome the question from the member for Sanderson. The Masters Games will be held, as most members are aware, in Alice Springs from 19 to 26 October this year.
Mr Elferink: What will you be competing in, Jack?
Mr AH KIT: I will pick up the interjection. I have already registered. Have you? I have registered for 8-ball and for darts. I will take you mob on. I think I have shown that I am a pretty versatile sports and recreation minister, even though he’s getting a bit long in the tooth.
Anyway, the Masters Games, 100 Days to Go. It was with our patron Dawn Fraser, who flew in to Alice. We teed off at the golf club. The mayor was invited to come along to the launch, along with the member for Lingiari, Warren Snowdon, and the member for Stuart.
The Masters Games is Australia’s first multi-sports festival for mature aged athletes and has grown to host 3500 competitors and officials in 38 sports from throughout Australia. To date, the games office has received around 1300 registrations. This is somewhat down on the number of registrations for the last Masters Games, but not dramatically so. At the moment, we are down about 200 registrations and I believe that, given the events on September 11 together with the collapse of Ansett, the organisers have done an excellent job in attracting competitors. Their efforts in attracting sponsors have also been commendable. The current secured sponsorship totals over $0.5m and comprises the following groups: Alice Springs Town Council, Peter Kittle Motor Company, Lasseters Casino, Compaq Computers, Imparja Television, Carlton and United Breweries, Coca-Cola, Optus, Colemans Printers, Netgrrl Web Development and Tattersalls.
There can be no doubt that the reduced airline seating capacity into Alice Springs has been a challenge for the Masters Games organisers. However, Qantas has scheduled additional flights which have assisted. The office of Sport and Recreation continues to undertake a number of marketing and promotional activities to maintain and raise the profile of the Alice Springs Masters Games in order to offset the disadvantage caused by the loss of the capacity of Ansett.
Planning for the games is on track, and just last week the organisers secured the agreement of Daryl Somers to be the guest medal presenter. Mr Somers was pursued for several reasons. Obviously, he has a close affiliation with the Territory after fronting a successful Territory tourism campaign. Most competitors would have been viewers of his long-running TV show Hey, Hey It’s Saturday. I am sure that he will be a very popular guest presenter of the medallions.
Organising this year’s event has been challenging for the Masters Games office, and I would like to congratulate them on a terrific effort. I am confident that Alice Springs will be hosting yet another successful event this year.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker; I welcome the question from the member for Sanderson. The Masters Games will be held, as most members are aware, in Alice Springs from 19 to 26 October this year.
Mr Elferink: What will you be competing in, Jack?
Mr AH KIT: I will pick up the interjection. I have already registered. Have you? I have registered for 8-ball and for darts. I will take you mob on. I think I have shown that I am a pretty versatile sports and recreation minister, even though he’s getting a bit long in the tooth.
Anyway, the Masters Games, 100 Days to Go. It was with our patron Dawn Fraser, who flew in to Alice. We teed off at the golf club. The mayor was invited to come along to the launch, along with the member for Lingiari, Warren Snowdon, and the member for Stuart.
The Masters Games is Australia’s first multi-sports festival for mature aged athletes and has grown to host 3500 competitors and officials in 38 sports from throughout Australia. To date, the games office has received around 1300 registrations. This is somewhat down on the number of registrations for the last Masters Games, but not dramatically so. At the moment, we are down about 200 registrations and I believe that, given the events on September 11 together with the collapse of Ansett, the organisers have done an excellent job in attracting competitors. Their efforts in attracting sponsors have also been commendable. The current secured sponsorship totals over $0.5m and comprises the following groups: Alice Springs Town Council, Peter Kittle Motor Company, Lasseters Casino, Compaq Computers, Imparja Television, Carlton and United Breweries, Coca-Cola, Optus, Colemans Printers, Netgrrl Web Development and Tattersalls.
There can be no doubt that the reduced airline seating capacity into Alice Springs has been a challenge for the Masters Games organisers. However, Qantas has scheduled additional flights which have assisted. The office of Sport and Recreation continues to undertake a number of marketing and promotional activities to maintain and raise the profile of the Alice Springs Masters Games in order to offset the disadvantage caused by the loss of the capacity of Ansett.
Planning for the games is on track, and just last week the organisers secured the agreement of Daryl Somers to be the guest medal presenter. Mr Somers was pursued for several reasons. Obviously, he has a close affiliation with the Territory after fronting a successful Territory tourism campaign. Most competitors would have been viewers of his long-running TV show Hey, Hey It’s Saturday. I am sure that he will be a very popular guest presenter of the medallions.
Organising this year’s event has been challenging for the Masters Games office, and I would like to congratulate them on a terrific effort. I am confident that Alice Springs will be hosting yet another successful event this year.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016