Soccer: History suggests All Whites are in with a shout

MELBOURNE - Soccer's world ratings and bookmakers confirm New Zealand's status as rank outsiders for tonight's pre-World Cup friendly against Australia at the MCG - but a virtual cricket score is no formality for the Socceroos.

Australia do not expect the All Whites to spoil their send off for South Africa but history suggests New Zealand - ranked a lowly 78 and $11 outsiders - are prone to embarrassing their better-credentialed neighbours at the most opportune moments.

New Zealand has twice prevented Australia - currently ranked 20th by FIFA - qualifying for the sport's global showpiece. They also surprisingly sabotaged two lucrative Confederations Cup campaigns the Socceroos figured were a formality.

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Metro Apartments Melbourne defy tourism slump - A Melbourne Servced Apartment

Located in a unique 100-year old Victorian building complete with rough hewn bluestone façade, Metro Apartments on Bank Place in the heart of Melbourne’s CBD, sets a new benchmark for stylish yet affordable inner city accommodation.

According to George Bedwani, Chief Operating Officer of Metro Hospitality Group, this particular property continues to defy the economic climate, maintaining strong occupancy despite a downturn in leisure and corporate travel to Melbourne during the last financial year.

“The Apartments are very popular and enjoy significant repeat business, largely due to their central location, personalised service only a boutique hotel of this size can offer, and their competitive rates.

“Guests have the luxury of staying in a fully serviced studio or one bedroom boutique apartment in one of the city’s central and most exclusive locations, with rates starting from $125 per night for a studio room and $135 for a one bedroom apartment,” Mr Bedwani said.

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Russell Brand returns to perform for the first time at Melbourne’s Rod Laver Arena

Russell Brand, England’s most scandalous comedian, brings his infamously hilarious, quick-witted and charismatic dandy charm to Australia this June.

Following a sold-out March 2009 tour, Brand returns to perform for the first time at Melbourne’s Rod Laver Arena.

Brand will also be appearing at the Sydney premiere of his latest movie Get Him To The Greek on 11 June.

The film, which opens nationally on June 17 (distributed by Universal Pictures), stars Brand, reprising his stand out roll of dissolute rock star Aldous Snow, his character from the 2008 box office hit Forgetting Sarah Marshall, teaming up again with director Nicholas Stoller and writer Jason Segel.

Of life experiences Brand’s had a tad more than most 34-year olds.

An unhappy childhood in Essex, stints in rehab, infamous run-ins with MTV and the BBC have fueled his comedy, ultimately resulting in colossal achievement and a notorious celebrity.

Brand’s resume now boasts a number of feature films, with more on the horizon including remakes of Arthur and Drop Dead Fred, a best selling autobiography, TV series, radio show, newspaper column, countless TV appearances including hosting the NME, Brit and MTV Awards, and numerous stand-up tours selling-out shows across the UK and US.

TOUR DATE*:
Wed 9 Jun - Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne
*Ticketek is selling for the above venue only.

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100th anniversary of 1st Aussie flight! (Melbourne Museum)

The 100th anniversary of powered flight in Australia fell yesterday, but until now very few people could have named Australia’s first aviator. It was Harry Houdini, American master magician and escapologist.
Houdini specialised in astounding feats such as: escaping from a sealed milk can filled with water; getting out of a straitjacket while suspended upside down from a crane atop a high building; being buried alive and digging his way out; escaping from a packing crate after being lowered into New York’s East River. He was also a pioneer aviator.



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Metro Apartments on Bank Place NEW Map (Melbourne Apartments)

See NEW Map of Metro Apartments on Bank Place (Melbourne Apartments)

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Ninety Nations to Visit Melbourne for UN Conference

Melbourne has secured a prestigious UN Meeting, marking the first time the event has ever been held in Australia.

More than 1,200 delegates will be welcomed to Melbourne in September 2010 to attend the United Nations (UN) 63rd Annual Department of Public Information Non-Governmental Organisation Conference (DPI/NGO).

The Business Event win was announced today by Sandra Chipchase, CEO of the Melbourne Convention + Visitors Bureau, which secured the event for Melbourne.

“This is a definite coup for Melbourne, being only the third city outside the UN’s New York headquarters to host the event in more than 60 years.”

Ms Chipchase said that in addition to the direct benefits of the event, the size and reputation of the conference would have the added-value of creating future bidding opportunities within the NGO and health fields.

“Cementing Melbourne’s worldwide reputation for medicine and science, the conference will focus on ‘Global Health’, and will feature eminent speakers, possibly including the Secretary General of the United Nations.

“The UN DPI/NGO Conference will provide the opportunity for the global NGO community to share knowledge and experience about how to best promote and contribute to the advancement of global health.”

Ms Chipchase said that the three day UN DPI/NGO Conference is estimated to inject $3.8m into the Victorian State economy.

“In addition to providing an important boost for the local economy, we also know from the Melbourne Convention Delegate Study that international conventions create new tourists and significant new export dollars and visitation for Melbourne and Victoria.

“The Delegate Study showed that conventions are also a catalyst for regional travel, with almost half of all delegates attending conventions in Melbourne also undertaking pre- and post-event touring throughout the State.

“Representatives from more than 90 countries are expected to attend this conference, in turn providing valuable worldwide exposure for Melbourne.”

Leigh Harry, Chief Executive of the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre said: “With Melbourne being the chosen destination in Australia to host many of the world’s major health conventions, we look forward to welcoming the 63rd United Nations DPI/NGO Conference and delegates from all over the world to the Melbourne Convention Centre in 2010.”

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Source: 22 Feb 10 (TravMedia)

Australia’s Tourist Arrivals Tops 12 million (Melbourne Tourism)

Australia’s Tourist Arrivals Tops 12 million

The number of international visitors coming to Australia has remained steady despite the tough conditions for tourism globally, according to the latest new tourism figures.
Figures released this week by the Australian Bureau of Statistics have highlighted Australia’s “resilience in the difficult economic climate”. Approximately 12.4 million people arrived in Australia during 2009 and 12.3 million left, making the total number of arrivals and departures almost 25 million.
Original forecasts predicted international departures would fall by almost 3 per cent last year, however they rose by over 8 per cent as Australia's economy fared relatively well throughout the global economic downturn. A record 6.3 million Australian residents made short-term departures, up from 5.8 million in 2008, according to the ABS research. The top three destinations for Australian travellers were New Zealand, the USA and Indonesia were while tourists visiting Australia were most likely to come from New Zealand, the UK and the USA. Traditionally strong markets such as Japan and Korea posted significant declines in arrivals mainly due to their local economic conditions.

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