Invictus Games team announced
The combined Australian Defence Force and RSL team for the Australian Invictus Games has been announced.
The team will comprise 72 participants at the Games, to be held in Sydney from 20 to 27 October.
The Invictus Games is an international, adaptive multi-sports competition for current and former military personnel who have been wounded, injured or become ill during their military service.
The names and biographies of all the Australian competitors can be accessed online at this PS News link.
ABC building at risk
The Australian Broadcasting Corporation’s building in Ultimo NSW has been found to be clad in material no longer compliant with the current Building Code of Australia Fire Safety Standards.
In a notice to staff, the ABC said it had received expert advice that it was safe for employees to continue working in the building but that it would be implementing a broad range of control measures to mitigate risks.
EU trade talks
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) is to begin negotiating a Free Trade Agreement with the European Union in July.
Prime Minister, Malcolm Turnbull said an agreement with the EU would open the door to a market of half a billion consumers and a GDP of $23.3 trillion, making it one of Australia’s biggest trade agreements once concluded.
It is expected the benefits to Australia exporters would focus on education, financial and professional services, with an increase in opportunities for high-technology start-up businesses.
Mr Turnbull said that as a bloc, the EU was Australia’s second largest trading partner, third largest export destination, and second largest services market. It was also Australia’s largest source of foreign investment in 2017.
Archive to celebrate actor’s life
The National Film and Sound Archive (NFSA) in Canberra has announced a new exhibition celebrating the life and work of one of Australia’s most acclaimed and beloved actors.
The Heath Ledger: A Life in Pictures exhibition is to arrive at the Archive on 10 August for a six-month season.
Audiences will be able to explore a selection of film costumes and props, Mr Ledger’s own character research journals, celebrity portraits and acting awards, offering a rare insight into the man behind the camera.
Mr Ledger, who was from Perth, Western Australia, starred in many films including Brokeback Mountain and The Dark Knight. He died in New York in 2008 aged 28.
War Memorial relives battle
The Battle of Hamel Virtual Reality Experience has been launched by the Australian War Memorial in Canberra
The interactive experience uses the latest virtual reality (VR) technology to deliver a synchronised in-theatre experience for the first time.
During the 10-minute experience, audiences of up to 45 people will wear virtual reality headsets and headphones that will give them an up-close view of the battlefield at Le Hamel.
From 22 June to 22 July, the French countryside of World War I will be brought to virtual life in the War Memorial’s theatre. Audiences will be immersed in the story of this key action fought on 4 July 1918 on the Western Front.
Funding to mark Armistice
The Department of Veterans’ Affairs is to fund 50 community projects to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Armistice that ended World War I.
Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, Darren Chester said the round of grants had been designed to support local projects and activities which appropriately acknowledged the end of the war.
“The high level of interest in commemorating this important date in our history is a true testament to the success of the Anzac Centenary 2014-18 and I have no doubt these projects will create a lasting legacy of remembrance,” Mr Chester said.
Under the program, every electorate in Australia is eligible to receive up to $50,000 to commemorate Australia’s wartime history and the 100th anniversary of the Armistice.
