Post by Elle on Mar 1, 2004 11:47:30 GMT 10
Townsville Bulletin - 1 March 2004
[glow=red,2,300]Guy rocks our world[/glow]
By EVE REITMAJER
01mar04
TOWNSVILLE'S Flinders St East entertainment precinct was again at the centre of public attention yesterday afternoon -- but it wasn't construction work that was stopping traffic.
This time it was the 5000-strong crowd that celebrated in the street as the Townsville City Council threw one of the biggest parties it plans to put on this year -- to open the $3.7 million redevelopment.
While the party's star guest -- Australian Idol Guy Sebastian -- did not perform until about 7pm, there were plenty of local performers including Reflux, Corrupt, The Kitchen, Musk, Contraband and Groove, who had the crowds jumping throughout the afternoon.
[glow=red,2,300]Despite a line-up that featured Melbourne boy band Mercury4, THE RESPONSE WHEN SEBASTIAN TOOK TO THE STAGE WAS OVERWHELMING.
THE CROWD APPEARD TO TRIPLE IN SIZE. Families, children and revellers moved forward to catch a glimpse of the star. [/glow]
Balconies overlooking the strip were packed solid and al fresco diners left their meals to join in the fun.
And they were not disappointed, with Sebastian promising at a press conference before his performance to "sing my guts out".
That he did and Townsville fans witnessed the talent that propelled Sebastian to stardom.
Earlier in the day Townsville Mayor Tony Mooney said there would be no official opening speech by himself -- instead he preferred to let the entertainment strip speak for itself. Which it did.
Scottish backpacker Roisin Jayne said she had no idea the party was happening until she headed down to the entertainment precinct for something to eat.
"This place is amazing -- I had no idea. If there was a party like this every week I would live here for sure," she said. "It's so vibrant and everyone is having such a great time."
And while Sebastian was no doubt a huge drawcard, there were still those who just headed down to have a look at the finished product.
"We don't even know who this Guy is," Erik Read of Mt Louisa said.
"We just came down to have a look now it (the redevelopment) is all finished. It is good -- much better than it was and at night it is even better than during the day."
Despite the big crowds and party atmosphere, police and ambulance services reported a quiet night.
Police were out in force, boosting numbers for crowd and traffic control, and police communications co-ordinator Sergeant Allan Hussey said there had been no trouble.
"It all ran pretty smoothly," Sgt Hussey said. "Everyone was just out to have a good time."
Three ambulance crews and St John first aid volunteers were stationed in the precinct to deal with any accidents or medical cases that might arise.
Townsville ambulance communications supervisor John Rintoul said paramedics had a slow day.
"From our point of view everything went amazingly well," Mr Rintoul said.
"We had no calls there and there were no transports from there to hospital.
"I believe there were a few minor things that were treated at the scene, but certainly nothing major."
townsvillebulletin.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,7034,8833113%255E14787,00.html
[glow=red,2,300]Guy rocks our world[/glow]
By EVE REITMAJER
01mar04
TOWNSVILLE'S Flinders St East entertainment precinct was again at the centre of public attention yesterday afternoon -- but it wasn't construction work that was stopping traffic.
This time it was the 5000-strong crowd that celebrated in the street as the Townsville City Council threw one of the biggest parties it plans to put on this year -- to open the $3.7 million redevelopment.
While the party's star guest -- Australian Idol Guy Sebastian -- did not perform until about 7pm, there were plenty of local performers including Reflux, Corrupt, The Kitchen, Musk, Contraband and Groove, who had the crowds jumping throughout the afternoon.
[glow=red,2,300]Despite a line-up that featured Melbourne boy band Mercury4, THE RESPONSE WHEN SEBASTIAN TOOK TO THE STAGE WAS OVERWHELMING.
THE CROWD APPEARD TO TRIPLE IN SIZE. Families, children and revellers moved forward to catch a glimpse of the star. [/glow]
Balconies overlooking the strip were packed solid and al fresco diners left their meals to join in the fun.
And they were not disappointed, with Sebastian promising at a press conference before his performance to "sing my guts out".
That he did and Townsville fans witnessed the talent that propelled Sebastian to stardom.
Earlier in the day Townsville Mayor Tony Mooney said there would be no official opening speech by himself -- instead he preferred to let the entertainment strip speak for itself. Which it did.
Scottish backpacker Roisin Jayne said she had no idea the party was happening until she headed down to the entertainment precinct for something to eat.
"This place is amazing -- I had no idea. If there was a party like this every week I would live here for sure," she said. "It's so vibrant and everyone is having such a great time."
And while Sebastian was no doubt a huge drawcard, there were still those who just headed down to have a look at the finished product.
"We don't even know who this Guy is," Erik Read of Mt Louisa said.
"We just came down to have a look now it (the redevelopment) is all finished. It is good -- much better than it was and at night it is even better than during the day."
Despite the big crowds and party atmosphere, police and ambulance services reported a quiet night.
Police were out in force, boosting numbers for crowd and traffic control, and police communications co-ordinator Sergeant Allan Hussey said there had been no trouble.
"It all ran pretty smoothly," Sgt Hussey said. "Everyone was just out to have a good time."
Three ambulance crews and St John first aid volunteers were stationed in the precinct to deal with any accidents or medical cases that might arise.
Townsville ambulance communications supervisor John Rintoul said paramedics had a slow day.
"From our point of view everything went amazingly well," Mr Rintoul said.
"We had no calls there and there were no transports from there to hospital.
"I believe there were a few minor things that were treated at the scene, but certainly nothing major."
townsvillebulletin.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,7034,8833113%255E14787,00.html
