Lauren Moss Minister for Tourism and Culture The countdown is on to the World Cup

5 September 2017 Excitement is building leading up to a quarter final being held in Darwin in November 2017. For the first time in the 109 year history, Rugby League World Cup comes to Darwin. Today, Kangaroos’ head coach joined Rugby League World Cup CEO Andrew Hill, and artists to unveil the Rugby League World Cup Street Mural commissioned to celebrate the event. The Mural features the current Australian captain and Kangaroos’ teammate Will Chambers, a former Nhulunbuy junior. Minister for Tourism and Culture Lauren Moss, said that the Territory Labor Government continues to invest in bringing top-class sporting events to the NT, because they attract visitors from around the nation and provide a boost to our economy and Territory lifestyle. “Sporting events are great for the economy, they provide a boost to the tourism industry by increasing visitor numbers and help keep people living in the NT,” Minister Moss said. “Images of the World Cup quarter final will be beamed all around the world and will be another fantastic opportunity to showcase the NT to Australia and the world”. In addition to bringing the Rugby League World Cup quarter final and games to the Territory, the Territory Labor Government is also investing $25 million in the new home for local rugby league at Warren Park. The massive 40 metre Mural is a collaboration led by well-known Darwin artist David Collins and Jesse Bell, featuring designs by Shaun Lee and East Arnhem Land’s Gayili Marika Yunupingu. The street art mural is a reflection of the Northern Territory’s community support, interest and involvement in rugby league, from grass roots through to our elite national team, the passion transcends gender, race and age. The Mural will incorporate ribbon designs from the both Larrakia and Nhulunbuy, representing the place where the event will be staged, and the childhood home of current Australian Representative, Northern Territory’s Will Chambers. The Mural will be in place until after the World Cup and can be seen from the Bennett and Cavenagh Streets intersection.

Media Contact: Trish Grimshaw – 0428 458 466