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Tim Metcalfe

VICTORIA will consolidate its reputation as the 'home of big events' this year by hosting not only the Australian Grand Prix, but also inaugurating an annual flower show which aims to rival the world's most prestigious horticultural showcases.

   The Grand Prix, formerly staged in Adelaide, is the jewel in Victoria's tourism crown.

   The lakeside Albert Park circuit last witnessed a Formula I race in 1958. Tourism Victoria expects 35,000 international and inter-state visitors to attend the event from March 7 to 10.

   'While they are here they will spend A$35 million (about HK$200 million) on accommodation, flights, shopping, food and transport,' a spokesman said.

  'The flow-on effect is estimated to be worth more than A$80 million.'    The event will be watched on television by more than 500 million people in at least 100 countries, giving Victoria media exposure reckoned to be worth A$100 million.

   Tourism Victoria is working closely with the Grand Prix Corporation to cope with visitors.

   Three major tour operators (Qantas Australian Holidays, Jetset and Great Aussie Holidays) are offering Grand Prix packages to suit a variety of budgets and include accommodation, flights and race tickets.

   Motor racing fans are being promised an exciting programme at Albert Park.

   Apart from a competition between the elite of Formula I, who will be racing around the fourth-largest circuit in the calendar, the big names of Australian racing - Larry Perkins, Allan Jones, Peter Brock, Dick Johnson and John Bowe - will show their skills in the Australian five-litre class.

   And while Albert Park echoes to the roar of racing cars, high-speed racing of the silent kind in catamarans, yachts and skiffs will grace Albert Park Lake. An air show will also be staged.

   To celebrate Melbourne's reputation as Australia's 'Garden Capital' (with dozens of parks and one of the world's finest botanical gardens) the city is inaugurating the Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show from April 18 to 21.

   'It will be an exhibition to rival the world's prestigious flower shows, such as Chelsea in Britain,' event director Barry Flynn said. 'This is a hallmark event on Victoria's tourism calendar.'    The autumn spectacular will see the Melbourne Royal Exhibition Building and its parklands transformed into a floral wonderland, enlivened by thousands of flower species.

   Horticultural groups from as far afield as New Zealand, Britain, Japan and Melbourne's sister city, Tianjin, are sending delegations.

   A special invitation to a preview on April 17 has been extended to a member of the British royal family, ensuring it will rank as one of Victoria's most important social occasions.

   'The show will be seen by many as the single most important horticultural event not only in Australia, but in the southern hemisphere,' Mr Flynn said.

   Australia's leading floral designers will mount huge displays, while giant butterflies will decorate the show-ground.

  'Together with the Melbourne Cup, the Australian Open Tennis tournament, a Comedy Festival and the Australian Football League Grand Final, these attractions will showcase Victoria to the world as the home of big events,' the Tourism Victoria spokesman said.

    The momentum would continue next year with the Melbourne Cricket Ground hosting the biggest concert in the city's 200-year history.

   The Three Tenors - Jose Carreras, Placido Domingo and Luciano Pavarotti - are coming to Victoria for one of five concerts they will perform on a world tour in 1997.

   The March 1, 1997 concert is expected to attract a television audience of 1.2 billion, as well as economic benefits worth A$38 million. Tickets go on sale on March 1 this year, priced from A$95 to $750.



Victoria blooms with big events