As we welcome the New Year and our long-awaited 2006, I’m reminded of how quickly the time has gone since we won the bid on the 10th October 1999.
In just three short months we will be welcoming you to Melbourne and during this time I urge you to ensure that you too are on track for your ultimate games experience.
Should you require any additional support, advice or planning assistance, please don’t hesitate to contact the dedicated team listed below at the end of this update.
I look forward to welcoming you to Melbourne in March 2006.
See you at the Games,
Charmaine Dobson
General Manager Marketing and Communications
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ACCOMMODATION – COMMONWEALTH GAMES TRAVEL OFFICE (CGTO)
Accommodation – Media Hotels Filling Fast!
Media who have not yet made their accommodation bookings will need to do so within the next few weeks or it is highly likely that the dedicated Media Hotels will no longer be available. Rooms at media hotels are subject to availability and will be allocated by the Commonwealth Games Travel Office (CGTO) in order of receipt of reservations.
The Duxton Hotel, one of the 4 designated Media Hotels for the Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games, has recently changed names to the Rendezvous Hotel Melbourne. The name change is the only change to this Hotel and it will retain all levels of service, Hotel features and facilities. The address details and telephone and fax numbers remain the same.
Online bookings are available at the Games Travel Office or alternatively, contact the CGTO on the numbers below:-
Commonwealth Games Travel Office
Tel: +61 3 9676 2439
Fax: +61 3 9645 6985
Email: melbourne2006@gtaus.com.au
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ACCREDITATION
Applications for Media Accreditation have now CLOSED.
Should you have any requirements still outstanding on your application, please submit to M2006 immediately.
Media Visas
Accreditation does not entitle media to a Visa. All media will need to make the necessary arrangements with the Department of Immigration for a Business Visa. Media will be eligible for one of two visas dependant on the country from which they hold a passport. For further information please see the links below;
Electronic Travel Authority - http://www.eta.immi.gov.au/
456 Business Visa - http://www.immi.gov.au/allforms/pdf/456.pdf
For further information, please email Kate White, your M2006 Media Accreditation Coordinator or otherwise contact her on +61 3 9613 2006.
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FLAGS OF THE NATIONS
For a complete list of all Commonwealth Countries and their Flags, visit the Commonwealth Games Associations page on this website.
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MPC RETAIL PLAZA
The Retail Plaza is situated inside the MPC adjacent to the Welcome Desk.
Tourism Victoria and Tourism Australia
Tourism Victoria and Tourism Australia officers will be available to provide information on Melbourne, Victoria and Australia including attractions, events, food and wine, shopping, arts and culture, entertainment, parks and gardens.
The operating times are:
| Date |
Opening Times |
| Sunday 5 - Saturday 11 March |
10am to 5pm |
| Sunday 12 - Sunday 26 March |
8am to 6pm |
| Monday 27 - Wednesday 29 March |
10am to 5pm |
Telstra
Telstra will provide a range of products including phone cards, mobile phones, pre-paid handsets, mobile recharging services and other accessories.
| Date |
Opening Times |
| Sunday 5 - Saturday 11 March |
10am to 5pm |
| Sunday 12 - Sunday 26 March |
8am to 6pm |
| Monday 27 - Wednesday 29 March |
10am to 3pm |
Australia Post
The Australia Post outlet in the MPC will provide postal and courier services in addition to stocking stationery supplies.
The operating times are:
| Date |
Opening Times |
| Sunday 5 - Wednesday 29 March |
9am to 5pm |
TAB Sportsbet
TAB Sportsbet will provide a sports betting facility in the Media Lounge to media representatives, covering a wide variety of national and international sports as well as a number of key Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games sports.
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NEWS ACCESS POLICIES
Internet and Mobile News Access Policies
The Internet and Mobile News Access policies have now bee finalised.
View the Internet and Mobile News Access Policies on this website.
The acceptance of these rules does not automatically permit accreditation.
For media accreditation enquiries, please email Kate White.
For enquiries regarding the news access policies, please email Michelle Bartlett - Program Manager, Media Services.
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RATE CARD
Last Minute Orders
To avoid disappointment and further costs Rate Card Services would like to remind all Media Customers to double check that they have all they need for March 2006.
Please remember surcharges now apply for all new orders and cancellations (Page 11& 14 Media Rate Card).”
For further information please email the Rate Card Team.
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REMOTE CAMERA USE
Expressions of interest are invited from photographers with regard to using remote cameras at competition venues. Best endeavours will be made to provide access to requested positions when requirements are known.
Please email Georgina Stayches with your requirements no later an 16 January 2006.
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TOURISM
Legends, Wine & High Country
If you enjoy a region rich in history, adventure, food or wine, you will find it in Victoria's High Country. Here it is possible to eat like a king, stay in century old properties and enjoy the fresh air of Victoria's alps.
From infamous bushrangers to Banjo Paterson’s legendary Man from Snowy River, stories told around campfires will inspire you to create your own adventures as you explore the region. The area's most infamous outlaw, Ned Kelly, still captures the imagination of visitors and locals alike. Kelly's rebellion rose above difficult political times and 4000 mourners turned out for his hanging. Visit the township of Glenrowan, where Ned Kelly and his gang made a last stand against the police, and Beechworth, where he stood trial when only 16.
The history of several indigenous Koori clans is celebrated during the Bogong Moth Festival each November. Legend has it that aboriginal tribes would gather on the banks of the Murray River before journeying to the High Country to celebrate and feast on the giant moth.
There's plenty of adventure in the High Country with bushwalking, abseiling, white water rafting and kayaking.
Create your own adventure by taking horse trail rides through the High Country. There are invigorating day rides through the bush or week long treks mustering cattle and staying in original cattlemen's huts that are still found throughout the mountains.
The north east of Victoria also produces fine varieties of wines. Crisp table wines are produced in the cooler climate in the Ovens Valley and King Valley while Rutherglen produces some of Australia's greatest tokays and muscats. The deep valleys and glorious summers are perfect for aromatic white wines, quality sparkling wines and softer reds.
The region's food producers realise that good wine must be accompanied by great food. Delectable treats can be found in Milawa - taste superb cheeses, tangy mustards and sweet honeys on the area’s gourmet food trail. Try magnificent freshwater fish found in the King, Ovens and Murray Rivers including trout, chinook salmon, Murray cod, yellow perch and succulent yabbies. Food producers have also taken the art of preserving fruits and pickling vegetables, which can be found in small speciality shops or bakeries to new heights.
The Great Alpine Road is a dream for sightseers and photographers alike. Starting in Wangaratta in Victoria's north east, the Great Alpine Road runs 308 kilometres through spectacular scenery in Victoria's alps, finishing in Bairnsdale in the State's south east. There are plenty of interesting towns, like Bright and Myrtleford, in which to stop and stretch your legs and enjoy a coffee before returning to the road of discovery through Victoria's alps.
Legends Wine & High Country is a region to visit at anytime of year, vivid spring wild flowers, golden summer sunsets and magical fiery colours of autumn.
For further information, visit the Visit Victoria website.
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Melbourne Aquarium
Melbourne Aquarium is jam packed with adventure for people of all ages. It’s an awesome journey over four thrilling levels, where you will interact with over 10,000 aquatic animals. Experience life underwater in the 2.2 million litre Oceanarium, where daily feeds and presentations will capture your imagination while surrounded by sharks, giant stingrays and turtles.
Monsters of the Deep, a new exhibition features the never seen before deep water Giant Squid, frozen in time. This incredible new exhibit sees the 7metre squid in the world’s largest man-made block of ice, weighing an amazing 3.5 tonnes. As this enormous creature usually lives 1,000 metres beneath the surface, this is a once in a lifetime opportunity to come face-to-face with a giant squid. But be prepared to be scared…as its evil looking eye is absolutely gigantic!
For further information, visit the Melbourne Aquarium website.
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USEFUL INFORMATION
Please see the Melbourne 2006 Media Services Operational Arrangements - Useful Information document and subsequent monthly Operational Arrangements updates, for detailed useful information.
YOUR TEAM AT MELBOURNE 2006 COMMONWEALTH GAMES
Marketing and Communications
Charmaine Dobson
General Manager, Marketing and Communications
Judy Goldman
Group Manager, Publicity and Media Communications
Michelle Coffey
Program Manager, Public Relations and Publicity
Media Services
Michelle Bartlett
Program Manager, Media Services
Michelle Simmons
Program Coordinator, Media Services
Email Michelle Simmons.
Georgina Stayches
Program Coordinator, Media Services
Email Georgina Stayches.
Kirsten Page
Assistant Venue Media Manager
Melbourne Sports and Aquatics Centre
Tammy Papalia
Media Work Room Supervisor
Melbourne Sports and Aquatics Centre
MEDIA ACCREDITATION
Kate White
Coordinator, Media Accreditation
Email Kate White.
RATE CARD
Rate Card
Email Rate Card Team
If there are any items of particular interest that you would like to see in this monthly update or for further information, please email Georgina Stayches.
We look forward to welcoming you to Australia, to cover the Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games.
The information obtained in this update is true and correct as at the date of publishing on
1 January 2006.
www.thatsmelbourne.com
www.embassy.gov.au
www.visitmelbourne.com.au
www.customs.gov.au
internet.aca.gov.au
www.ag.gov.au
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