MEDIA RELEASE JULY 2017

FREE DAY FAMILY FESTIVAL & CONCERT CELEBRATING MELBOURNE’S 182 nd ANNIVERSARY

August 30 marks the anniversary of the founding of our wonderful city and we’re celebrating with a FREE Family Festival and Concert at Docklands on Sunday, August 27, 2017 from noon till 3.02pm. Yes, 182 minutes to mark 182 years of marvellous Melbourne!

There will be tours of the schooner , face painting, roving entertainment, food trucks and birthday cupcake giveaways. There will also be a special Sunday Docklands Market along Harbour Esplanade from 10am – 5pm.

The all-ages concert stars a host of Melbourne-born music legends headlined by the ultimate 80s party band Absolutely 80s featuring (Uncanny Xmen), Scott Carne (Kids in the Kitchen) and Ally Fowler (The ) performing hits and classics from the halcyon 1980s.

Supporting Absolutely 80s will be fellow Melbourne music legends and Paul Norton from Wendy and The Rocketts and up-and-coming local artist Peta Evans-Taylor, finalist on The Voice 2015.

The free all-ages concert kicks off at noon with Peta Evans-Taylor taking the stage. Peta is best known for her appearance on The Voice where she climbed to the top three finalists and has since been touring across .

In a career spanning more than 40 years, Wendy Stapleton signed with in 1979 and formed Wendy and The Rocketts. The band toured Australia and overseas, performing with major acts including Brian Adams and Hall and Oats. Wendy has since fronted various Melbourne-based music groups including Wendy Stapleton Band and now performs alongside husband Paul Norton .

And for the concert finale, the Absolutely 80s will rock the Docklands with hits by Brian Mannix who fronted Uncanny Xmen, one of Australia’s most popular bands of the 80s. Joining him will be Scott Carne, lead singer for Kids in the Kitchen and Ally Fowler from one of Australia’s hottest acts, The Chantoozies.

Melbourne Day also celebrates and supports our city's indigenous culture and heritage. At the festival visitors can view stunning indigenous artwork created by artist Stan Dryden, who will also acknowledge our traditional land owners with a Welcome to Country.

Melbourne Day aims to educate citizens on the founding of Melbourne on August 30, 1835, and to celebrate all that’s great about our city.

For more information visit: MelbourneDay.com.au

INFORMATION RELEASED BY: FOR FURTHER COMMENT: Leanne Tyrrell Campbell Walker Tyrrell Publicity & Promotions Melbourne Day Chairman Ph: 0403 081 999 Ph: 0418 772 422

What is Melbourne Day? Melbourne Day celebrates the founding of Melbourne - 30 August 1835.

Melbourne Day Committee coordinates activities and events to educate citizens on the history of their city and clarify the historical events about who actually discovered Melbourne.

Melbourne was founded by European settlers who sailed from Van Diemen’s Land () aboard the schooner Enterprize. They landed on the north bank of the and established the first permanent settlement, close to the Immigration Museum at the Old Customs House — on the corner of William and Flinders streets — and the place today known as Enterprize Park.

Melbourne Day Committee works with tourism industry partners and businesses to develop, promote and deliver a program of events to celebrate the founding of our city and showcase all that is great about Melbourne.

The aim is to raise awareness and clarify historical events surrounding the foundation of Melbourne whilst acknowledging the people of the as this land's traditional owners.