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FOR PRESS AUlTRALIA AT EXPO 67
Statement by the Prime Minister, Mr. Hirold Holt
Canada's Centennial Exposition, better known as
Expo 67 will open in Montreal on Friday. This great display,
of icially styled the Montreal Universal and Internati'onal
Exhibition, is a central feature of Canada's celebration of her
first hundred years of Confederation. The Exposition will remain
open for six months.
Australia will be one of more than sixty nations
represented. 7te have set up an impressive Australian Pavilion
on the Exposition's man-made islana site in the St. Lawrence
River, opposite downtown Montreal. Our exhibits are installed,
the Pavilion staff has been assemoled and trained and arrangements
have been completed for us to take part in the various cultural
activities associated with Expo 67. These include the International
Film Festival and the Vorld Festival of Ballet and Music.
The whole Exposition is larger than the recent New
York World Fair but is different in concept, presentation and
management. The Exposition portrays, " Man and His Jorld" his
endeavours in science, fine arts, exploration, agriculture and
iniustry. Australia's Special Day will be June 6 and I will be
there for the occasion. As my colleague, the Postmaster-general,
has already announced, arrangements have been made for a direct
pioneering telecast to Australia by way of the satellite ' Telstar'
of the special events of that day.
This is the first time Australia has taken part in
such an international Exposition. The decision to do so was taken
at a comparatively late stage and this imposed a demanding
programme for planning and construction and called for special
measures to ensure that we would be ready on time.
The theme of the Australian Pavilion follows carefully
the theme of the Exposition. Design studies were undertaken by
the Commonwealth De-artment of ; orks and in December, 1965,
Cabinet selected a aesign by an architect of that Deoartment, Mr.
James Maccormick. Early in 1966, Cabinet approved proposals by
the Exhibits Architect, Mr. Rooin Boyd, and the general approach
proposed by the Commissioner-Jeneral, on other forms of participation.
The total cost is estimated to be q3.14 million.
It is a matter of satisfaction that, despite the time
factor, oroblems of distance and climate and our lack of previous
experience of such an exhibition, plans have been carried through
and the Pavilion is ready to open on time with an effective
presentation. This has been possible only through the enthusiastic
and purposeful work of the Commissioner-Jeneral, Sir Valston
Hancock, and his team, and the wholehearted suprort which the
Organisation has received from Commonwealth Departments and
authorities from the States, and from many private sources in
industry and business throughout Australia.
The mounting of our exhibition is in fact a remarkable
story of co-operation and enthusiasm. The Canadian authorities
estimate that some two million visitors will pass through the
Australian pavilion during the Exposition. Far larger numbers
will of course, be reached through specially arranged T. V. Radio
and Press coverage of occasions including Australian presentations
such as our Special Day. All this will promote greater A
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international awareness of Australia, its achievements and its
potential. Throughout the Australian Pavilion the exhibits are,
as far as possible, Australian made. Many of them have been
manufactured in Australia for the first time from original
designs. The Pavilion is virtually a floatin, box, 1361 square
with two glassed-in sides, suspended above a typical Australian
bushland setting. The mood created within it is one of space
and tranquility. The Spirit of Adventure has been expressed
through curving tree forms that support four independent roof
sections. The theme of Australia as the world's major wool producer
is emphasised and an immense off-white carpet of natural wool covers
the entire floor area and sweeps up two end walls to ceiling height.
Twenty-two hostesses will wear costumes of golden wool designed in
Australia. The uniforms of male attendants are also of wool.
There is a model of our great radio telescope at Parkes
an animated scale model of the Snowy Mountains Scheme, a scale model
of Canberra. There is a collection of contemporary Australian art and
displays of acoriginal bark paintings : and precious opals. In a
series of photogr phic and physical exhibits all our great developmental
projects, from mining to medical research and architecture
are presented. There is an unusual feature at the heart of the Pavilion,
consisting of electronically operated sound chairs. There are 240
chairs, grouped about various exhibits. They have a built-in
stereophonic sound system developed and produced in Australia
enablivn visitors to hear, as in personal discussion, the voices
of notable Australians describing the exhibits.
The Pavilion is in a natural Australian setting, of gum
trees some up to 30' high and other native trees and shrubs.
There is a spectacular scientific display of over 1,000 pieces of
coloured coral from the Jreat arrier Reef. There is a billabong,
a water hole, 20 kangaroos and 10 wallabies to make the atmosphere
complete. The Australian Ballet will give six performances in
Montreal oefore leaving to tour South America and the Meluourne
Symphony Orchestra will give two performances. There will be a
pop concert including well-known performers like the Seekers, and
the Central 3and of the Royal Australian Air Force will give
several open-air concerts. A comprehensive prozramme of
entertainments, including sheep dog trials, woochopoing,
boomerang throwing, and an unofficial Davis Cup has been devised
by Mr. Robert Helpmann for presentation at the Place des Yations
on our Special Day.
I have every confidence that our staff in iontreal will
acquit itself well. I am satisfied that the 3xhibition will stand
proudly among the best of all the nationa" exhijitions, and I would
hope that all Australians travelling abroad will take the opportunity
of seeing it.
APRIL, 1967. J