WA Government funds Culture festival and Sports events during CHOGM 2011

A $2.45 million arts and culture festival will be staged in conjunction with the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Perth this October.

Western Australia will be a focus of world political debate during CHOGM 2011, with leaders from more than 50 countries meeting to discuss global and Commonwealth issues such as international peace and security; health; the environment; and democracy.

Coinciding with CHOGM, Western Australian Premier Colin Barnett has announced an eight-day arts and culture festival - which includes $1.45 million Lotterywest funding and $1 million from the State Government - would run from October 23-30, and co-incide with CHOGM.

Introducing the festival, Premier Barnett explained that "the emphasis of the Commonwealth Festival will be on impressive, free family activities for the Western Australian community while also showcasing Perth to the 4,000 delegates and visitors expected as part of CHOGM 2011."

Programming is still in development but it is hoped to include:

• A major street theatre event
• An indigenous program comprising several landmark indigenous art exhibitions and activities
• Events built on the participation of the community - representing and celebrating WA's diversity, particularly communities linked to Commonwealth countries
• A film festival involving free screenings of Commonwealth countries' films, shown on outdoor city screens, and an online short film project
• A photography project involving a significant exhibition of award-winning photographs in the Cultural Centre and projection of imagery around the city
• A world music closing concert on Sunday 30th October with headline acts from Australia and the Commonwealth, as well as fireworks on the Swan River.

Premier Barnett "West Australians can expect to see exceptional international performers from Commonwealth countries working alongside local artists with as much community involvement as possible."

The Premier said the Commonwealth Festival would be presented by the Perth International Arts Festival (PIAF) which has retained its former artistic director, Shelagh Magadza, to program the festival.

WA Culture and the Arts Minister John Day said a key element of the festival would be four days of activity and entertainment in the Perth Cultural Centre from 26th to 29th October.

Minister Day added “the Perth Cultural Centre will become the 'Peoples Space' during CHOGM 2011and confirms the area's continuing revitalisation as a vibrant and dynamic place for the community.

"PIAF will set up a special project office in the heart of the cultural precinct on William Street, further adding to the State Government's commitment to build the precinct's reputation as a hub for cultural activity.

The Western Australian Government is also planning a number of sporting events to coincide with CHOGM including two international netball matches, featuring four of the top seven teams in the world, and an international hockey tournament.

The Federal and Western Australian governments will jointly fund the sporting events which start on Thursday 20th October with the hockey tournament involving teams from Australia, India, Pakistan, New Zealand and Malaysia.

The tournament will be held at the Perth Hockey Stadium in Bentley from Thursday 20th to Sunday 23rd October.

A feast of international netball begins on 23rd October at the Burswood Dome when South Africa and Malawi play a curtain raiser to the Australian Diamonds v New Zealand Silver Ferns Test match.

Premier Barnett said the Government was pleased to bring these two major international sporting events to WA, adding "sport has the power to cross national, political and religious boundaries to bring people together in fair and friendly competition. In a sports-mad country like Australia, these sporting events will give fans the chance to see elite athletes pitting themselves against the best in the world.

"The State recognises the importance of attracting major international events and we are constantly looking to secure new and exciting events to improve vibrancy and draw visitors to WA."

Netball Australia Chief Executive Kate Palmer said the Diamonds v Ferns match, part of the Holden Netball Test Series, promised international netball at its best with the world's top two teams vying for the Constellation Cup.

The inclusion of the South African Proteas, ranked sixth in the world, taking on the seventh ranked Malawi Queens, meant sports fans would also get to experience the diverse range of styles across the four nations.

Palmer added "this special sporting fixture is an unprecedented opportunity to witness some of the world's greatest players in action.

"We are delighted international netball is set to return to Perth for the first time since 2005, when the Diamonds hosted South Africa."

Hockey Australia Chief Executive Mark Anderson said the CHOGM 2011 hockey tournament, featuring men's and women's competitions, would be unlike any other hockey event in the world.

To be known as the International Super Series, the tournament would see Australia play host to some of the world's top teams in an innovative form of the game.

Anderson added, "for the first time ever, hockey will introduce several new and unique rules developed to make the game even faster and more exciting, with fans sure to experience hockey like they have never seen it before.

"Given that we will be unveiling a new modified version of hockey aimed to generate lots of excitement and interest, it is also an opportunity to demonstrate Hockey Australia's innovative nature both on and off the pitch."

Tickets for all events will go on sale in the coming months.