By Rama Gaind
Just over a week to go to the end of World Expo 2010 in Shanghai and the Australian pavilion continues to shine.
Since opening on 1 May, more than seven million visitors have walked through the pavilion, smashing all records for attendance at an Australian venue at an international event.
According to the Commissioner General for Australia Lyndall Sachs, this was a “remarkable achievement”.
“In our initial planning for the Australian presence at the Shanghai World Expo, we aimed to have double the 3.5 million visitors who visited our pavilion in the Aichi World Expo in Japan in 2005,” Ms Sachs said.
“In just over five months, we have given millions of visitors a warm welcome and introduction to our dynamic forward looking country. With three weeks remaining before this spectacular Expo concludes, I am confident we will reach eight million visitors. This is more than double the number of visitors who came to Australia in the first six months of this year!”
“All of us at the Australian pavilion are thrilled our pavilion has proved so popular with visitors to the world’s largest expo. Today’s milestone is a credit to Australia and everyone who has been involved in this project including the design and construction teams, our expert operations and technical crews, our courteous VIP staff, the hard working cleaning squads, and of course our friendly bilingual attendants.
“The Australian pavilion is a fantastic platform to increase understanding and awareness of Australia as an attractive holiday destination, a great place to live and work, and a technically innovative and dynamic economy, with a sophisticated and diverse multicultural society,” Ms Sachs said.
Since May 1, 2010 Australia’s visually striking national pavilion has showcased Australian innovation, creativity and achievement to more than seven million visitors mostly from mainland China. The expo ends on October 31, 2010.
The pavilion and its programs have responded to the expo’s ‘Better City, Better Life’ theme by focusing on Australia’s cities – many consistently ranked as among the world’s most liveable – and our smart solutions for urban living.
The pavilion’s weathered steel façade is a showcase of Australian design, engineering and construction expertise and includes green initiatives such as rainwater harvesting and smart lighting. Its shape and colour are inspired by some of Australia’s natural icons.
More than $80 million was spent on the project which is claimed to be the largest investment Australia has ever made in a world expo to strengthen bilateral links with China.
Managers have revealed that 76,000 tonnes of steel was used in the construction of the pavilion, including 3,800 plates of weathering steel in its ochre façade and 36 solar panels on the roof.
A unique Australian story is told with the assistance of 109 Australian staff and dynamic and technologically advanced exhibits and materials.
The daily number of visitors average 47,000 and each one takes a journey through the sights, sounds and stories of Australia in an array of sophisticated and engaging exhibits. They discover, through an innovative main show, how our cities have become global centres of excellence which demonstrate the Australian ability to respond creatively and effectively to the challenges that embody the Expo theme.
The Australian pavilion has been a popular favourite among 192 international and 50 corporate pavilions. It has consistently rated among the top five international pavilions, being voted the most friendly pavilion.
The Australian pavilion is located at the heart of the 5.28 square kilometre expo site, on the banks of the Huangpu River in downtown Shanghai.
The Shanghai World Expo 2010, which is the largest expo the world has ever seen, has so far attracted more than 64 million visitors.
No doubt, the sights, sounds and tastes of Australia will continue to draw the crowds ably assisted by the dynamic and engaging exhibits, an energetic team of bilingual staff, a rich cultural program and unique retail, food and beverage options.
