FREMANTLE’S AUSTRALIA II 40th CELEBRATION CONCERT
FREMANTLE’S AUSTRALIA II 40th CELEBRATION CONCERT
The West Australian government are throwing a rock n’ roll party to celebrate the 40 year anniversary of Australia II rewriting sporting history by winning the prestigious America’s Cup.
On Sunday, 24th September 2023 – 2 days before the 40th anniversary of the yacht with the revolutionary ‘winged keel’ breaking the longest winning streak in sporting history – at Victoria Quay, Fremantle, the free 1980’s themed concert will feature WA greats including Hoodoo Gurus, Baby Animals, Voyager and Slim Jim & the Phatts Band, and culminate in an “amazing drone show”.
The family-friendly community event will run from 2pm to 7.30pm and feature WA’s Eurovision contest sensations Voyager doing a special performance of the Australia II team anthem ‘Down Under’, as well as sailing-themed activities and food trucks.
The exciting drone show finale has been co-designed by 1983 winning crew members Skip Lissiman and John Longley and maritime historian Mike Lefroy, and will light up the sky over Fremantle waters.
To expand on the celebrations, across the long weekend the WA Maritime Museum, home of Australia II, will offer free entry from 23 to 26 September. People can see the famous yacht and enjoy the special Australia II: 40 Years On exhibition.
The exhibition includes a brand-new film, shown on an eight-metre curved screen, featuring the winning team revisiting memories of winning the unwinnable race. Other highlights include ‘the Bob Hawke jacket’ with replicas for the public to try on, Boxing Kangaroo flags flown at Newport, Rhode Island, a replica of the America’s Cup and other memorabilia. The WA Maritime Museum is open 9.30am – 5pm daily.
Culture and the Arts Minister David Templeman said, “It may be 40 years on from our monumental America’s Cup win but many of us still remember where we were – bursting with pride – as Australia II dramatically beat Liberty and took away the trophy from the New York Yacht Club who had held it tight for 132 years!
“Thanks to the Cook Government, you can step back in time to the 1980s with a free music concert at Victoria Quay run by Mellen Events. Rock on to our very own home-grown talent Voyager, Slim Jim and the FATTS Band, Baby Animals and the Hoodoo Gurus.
“The concert finale will be a spectacular drone show over the water presented by Fremantle Biennale, co-designed by WA-based crew members John Longley and Skip Lissiman, and maritime historian Mike Lefroy.
“People can visit the WA Martime Museum for free all day to see the yacht and its once secret winged keel, along with a wonderful new exhibition including a 2023-produced film shown on an 8-metre screen. You can even try on a replica Bob Hawke jacket to take a selfie!”
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