Media Alert MELBOURNE CENTRAL WELCOMES the YEAR of THE

Media Alert

MELBOURNE CENTRAL WELCOMES THE YEAR OF THE DOG WITH A ROOM FULL OF WAVING CATS AND PING PONG PLAYOFF

This February, Melbourne Central will welcome the new Lunar Year with a celebratory ping pong event featuring none other than Sam Groth, the world’s fastest tennis serve, and a hypnotic room filled with 888 gold waving cats.

Paying homage to the sport that is particularly popular in Chinese culture, the precinct will be hosting a special event, entitled Ping Pong Diplomacy in partnership with Swisse. The playoff series will bring together a mix of local talent, including tennis player, Sam Groth, the band, Alpine and even table tennis Olympians, to compete in a friendly match of ping pong, in Shot Tower Square.

The tables will also be open for the public for free games on Friday 16 and Saturday 17 February. Every participant will go in the running to win one of three unique ping pong tables, designed by Melbourne artist, Phibs and featuring artwork inspired by the Chinese zodiac of the year, the dog.

Known for spectacularly ’extra’, themed rooms, this Lunar New Year, Melbourne Central will welcome The Lucky Cat Room with a 4x4m space filled with gold waving Maneki Neko cats and housing Chinese New Year inspired props for the perfect Instagram worthy snap. A must see for any shopper or Chinese New Year enthusiast, the room will be open until Sunday 25 February.

The events are free and a must-see for all visitors to Melbourne Central. For more information, please visit: www.melbournecentral.com.au/what-s-happening/ping-pong- diplomacy and www.melbournecentral.com.au/what-s-happening/the-lucky-cat-room

What’s On WHAT: Melbourne Central Chinese New Year Celebrations WHEN: Friday 16th - Sunday 25th February WHERE: Melbourne Central Corner of La Trobe & Swanston St, Melbourne

WHAT: Sam Groth serving on the Phibs designed ping pong tables Band, Alpine, holding ping pong batons around table Shoppers having a go at ping pong Shoppers in the Lucky Cat room taking selfies with the props

-ENDS-

For all media enquiries please contact Bastion Effect: Brooke Andrew 0402 053 457 [email protected]

ABOUT MELBOURNE CENTRAL Melbourne Central is one of the most popular shopping destinations in Australia with around 56 million visitors every year and over 300 stores, providing shoppers with an eclectic retail experience and access to a broad mix of local and international brands and pop-up shops. The Centre is an iconic Melbourne precinct with a unique brand identity embedded in the fabric of the CBD.

Chinese New Year at Melbourne Central

EVENTS

PING PONG DIPLOMACY Come along to watch the action and see local celebrities and personalities verse each other with the chance to get involved to play for your chance to win one of three Phibs designed Ping pong tables. Shot Tower Square 12 – 8pm, Friday 16 February 12 – 8pm, Saturday 17 February

THE LUCKY CAT ROOM Decked out in floor to ceiling giant gold Maneki Neko Cats and other Chinese New Year inspired props, the Lucky Cat Room will be a must see attraction for any city shopper providing the perfect backdrop for any worthy Instagram snaps. Level 2 Friday 16th - Sunday 25th February. Opening times vary, refer to Facebook event for full roster