Archive for July 30th, 2009

The inaugural Vice-Chancellor’s Rugby Competition at the University of New England last weekend was such a huge success that its continuation and expansion are assured.

The two-day competition involved eight teams - including teams from St Joseph’s College, Knox Grammar and St Patrick’s College in Sydney, Farrer Memorial Agricultural High School in Tamworth and The Armidale School, and a North West representative team.

The Vice-Chancellor of UNE, Professor Alan Pettigrew, said the competition was both a realisation of UNE’s ability to attract first-class sporting events for the benefit of the New England community, and a showcase for the University’s world-class sporting facilities. “The competition highlights the importance the University places on sporting activities as well as academic study in the overall university experience,” Professor Pettigrew said.

He announced that the competition would continue as an annual event into the future.

Professor Pettigrew presented the winner’s trophy to the team from St Joseph’s College that defeated a Knox Grammar team 27-0 in the final on Sunday.

“The weekend certainly exceeded expectations,” said UNE’s Mark Stevens. “We’ve had tremendous feedback from the players and parents who travelled from the three participating Sydney schools, and we’ve received numerous inquiries about enrolling at UNE next year.

“We’re hoping to expand the event into a national, 20-team competition which would attract teams from all Australian States and Territories, and could also bring teams from New Zealand, South Africa and the UK.”

“UNE, with its first-class sporting facilities, is ideally placed to run such an event,” Mr Stevens said.

THE PHOTOGRAPH displayed here expands to show Professor Alan Pettigrew presenting the Vice-Chancellor’s Rugby Competition cup to Liam Walker, captain of St Joseph’s 1st 15.

The 6th Armidale International Film Festival will be held on the first weekend in August 2009 (31 July-2 August) at the Belgrave Twin Cinema.

This Festival had its beginnings in 2004 as part of UNE’s 50th anniversary celebrations, and has been supported by the former School of Languages, Cultures and Linguistics, and currently by the School of Arts. The committee members represent present and former staff of UNE as well as people from the wider Armidale community committed to bringing high-quality international films to Armidale and the region.

The festival is held in close co-operation with UNE Services and the Belgrave Cinema in Armidale. We are also delighted to have Ann Pettigrew as our Festival Patron.

The Armidale International Film Festival is the only international film festival in regional NSW. It is an annual event, which screens 13 acclaimed foreign language films from around the world. One of the major aims of this festival is to increase cultural awareness and to gain valuable insights into other cultures through the medium of film. The University of New England prides itself on welcoming many international students and academic staff from Asia, Africa, Europe and the US to its campus each year. Many of these bring their families to Armidale, creating a multicultural presence in the town itself. One of the aims of IFF is to show the Armidale community how much their presence in Armidale can enhance our lives, by educating us about their backgrounds.

The programme for 2009 is impressive; with a number of award-winning films from Austria, Canada, Iceland, France, Germany, India, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Mexico, Spain and Sweden. All films will be subtitled.

Revenge thrillers, wars, documentaries, stunning cinematography, Baroque music, and even vampires; this year’s films have it all! From the dawn breaking on a remote farm in Chihuahua, Mexico in Stellet Licht, to the desolate Icelandic landscape in the detective thriller of Mýrin (Jar City) to the extraordinary animated film exploring the horrors of the Israeli invasion of Lebanon in Vals im Bashir (Waltz with Bashir); there is something to suit everyone’s tastes.

For the first time this year, the Armidale International Film Festival Committee has brought all 5 Oscar nominated films for Best Foreign Language Film in 2009: Okuribito - Departures (winner), Vals im Bashir - Waltz with Bashir, Revanche, Der Baader Meinhof Komplex, and Entre les Murs - The Class (also winner of the Palme d’Or in Cannes)

The Armidale International Film Festival acknowledges the support of the Alliance Francaise Armidale, ABC New England North West and the University of New England.

Tickets are available NOW at the Belgrave (02) 6772 2856. Hurry! There are limited seats for the Festival Pass - a bargain at $110 for all 13 films. Come inside to the warm, put your feet up and enjoy acclaimed foreign language films at the Belgrave Twin Cinema 31 July - 2 August.

For more information concerning the Film Festival see www.belgravecinema.com.au/iff.