The organisers of the Cairns Ukulele Festival wish to thank all attendees for making the inaugural Cairns Ukulele Festival so special. Please check out the Cairns Ukulele Festival 2010 impressions video and photos pages to relive some of those wonderful moments. We look forward to next year!
We would also like to thank the following businesses and organisations for their support of the 2010 festival – we couldn’t have done it without you!:
Festival partners:
The Cairns Region covers 4135km2 from Bloomfield, located within the magnificent World Heritage listed Wet Tropics rainforest of the Daintree National Park in the north, to the quaint sugar village of Miriwinni in the south. The region extends some 190km (lineal) from its northern to southern extremities, and the eastern boundary is formed by the Coral Sea coastline abutting the World Heritage listed Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. Cairns Regional Council was created at the Local Government Elections on 15 March 2008, as a result of the State Government’s amalgamation of Cairns City and Douglas Shire Councils.
The Esplanade is a fantastic location for many different activities and suitable for all ages to swim in the beautiful lagoon, laze on the lush grasses, run on the scenic boardwalk or relax and listen to the live entertainment. Overlooking the Pacific Ocean this is a beautiful festival location!
Situated in the Cairns Botanic Gardens precinct, just 4km north of the city’s CBD, the centre is an iconic and innovative, multi-use, contemporary arts facility creatively housed in three converted World War 2 naval oil storage tanks, and set amidst a lush rainforest backdrop. This is the festival location for the 4th of July.
Cairns Regional Gallery hosts exhibitions of fine arts from major Australian and international collections covering historical and contemporary art including the work of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists.This is where the ukulele art exhibition will be held.
Queensland Gambling Community Benefit Fund
This project was proudly funded by the Queensland Government’s Gambling Community Benefit Fund in partnership with the other businesses mentioned on this page. The Queensland Government established the Gambling Community Benefit Fund (GCBF) in 1994 to provide funding to community groups in Queensland. The GCBF receives money from taxes on Golden Casket lotteries, wagering, keno and gaming machines. It distributes these funds to community projects on a quarterly basis. The GCBF is just one way the Government returns taxes received from gambling activities. In redistributing gambling taxes through its grants program, the GCBF plays an important role in ensuring, on balance, the whole State benefits from gambling in Queensland. In particular the Fund contributed towards community activities on Saturday the 3rd of July.
Accommodation partners and preferred accommodation providers (sleep with the stars!):
The stunning Novotel Cairns Oasis Resort is set upon 5 acres of landscaped gardens surrounding a lagoon pool with swim up bar and beach. All 314 refurbished rooms boast the latest comforts, while Novo Bar and Mizuna Restaurant offer style, relaxation and sumptuous food and beverages. Novotel Cairns Oasis Resort is within walking distance of the esplanade, marina, night markets and Reef Casino, and is ideally placed for guests exploring the Great Barrier Reef and heritage listed Daintree Rainforest.
Located on the award winning Cairns Esplanade, th Mercure Cairns Harbourside is a comfortable 4 star hotel located close to both the airport and the vibrant Cairns city centre. This Cairns hotel features 173 spacious rooms, modern facilities and stunningviews over beautiful Trinity Bay or the surrounding tropical mountains. Renowned for its hospitality and friendly atmosphere, Mercure Cairns Harbourside offers a fantastic location with two dining outlets overlooking the popular Esplanade Parklands.
Conveniently located in Cairns city, all seasons Cairns offers fabulous value. Its 74 air conditioned rooms feature wireless internet access and opening windows, and the hotel offers a swimming pool set amongst tropical gardens, great dining facilities,bar, a tour desk, guest laundry and 2 modern meeting rooms catering for up to 30 people each. Situated just two blocks from the Esplanade, all seasons Cairns offers easy access to numerous Cairns attractions, including the Great Barrier Reef.
All Seasons Cairns Gateway Resort
Set on two hectares of tropical gardens on the southern approach to Cairns, all seasons Cairns Gateway Resort is just 10km from the airport. Featuring 102 rooms and self contained apartments around a beach style pool with its own waterfall, all seasons Cairns Gateway Resort offers a great range of facilities with a BBQ area, playground, Internet lounge and free parking. Shops are located nearby, along with cafes, restaurants and nightlife. The hotel room rate includes free continental breakfast.
Sponsors:
Music City is considered Australia’s leading ukulele store. The store supplies quality ukuleles to customers all around Australia and indeed the world. Their range spans from absolute beginner $20 ukes to Hawaiian luthier made ukuleles.
Migration Plus specifically caters for Business, Skilled, Family and Retirement and Student Visa applications, for people who would like to live in Queensland or Australia. They provide a complete solution to your migration needs and coordinate all facets of your migration, including helping you understand Australia’s complex business taxation rules.
KPMG is one of the world’s leading professional services networks; a leading provider of audit, tax and advisory services and offers industry insight to help organisations negotiate risks and perform in dynamic and challenging business environments. It comprises over 135,000 people in member firms in more than 140 countries.
Lanikai is one of the leading ukulele brands in the world. Their range offers excellent budget ukuleles as well as performance quality ukes. Lanikai is also the awesome sponsor that is bringing Matt “Jumpingflea” Dahlberg to the festival.
The folks at 
Mya-Moe are taking the world by storm with their hand made ukuleles. They are known for fine craftmanship, feel and selection of tonewoods, as well as their approach to warm sounding resonator ukuleles. The lucky festival attendees have a chance of winning one of these fine ukes!
With a choice of day trips to beautiful Green Island and to the spectacular Outer Great Barrier Reef , Great Adventures departs from Cairns daily ready to whisk you away for a day of discovery and adventure.
Ohana ukuleles are hand-crafted ukuleles at an affordable price. Ranging from budget mahogany ukuleles to all-solid professional level instrument, there’s something for everyone in Ohanas range.
Built in 1919, the Courthouse Hotel is an iconic building in the CBD of Cairns, a stone throw away from the Esplanade. It’s a modern pub with restaurant and wonderful outdoor beergarden.
Kala Ukuleles are the result of Mike Upton’s expanding vision of quality, affordable ukulele. With over 100 models currently offered, there is an instrument to fit everyone’s tastes and budget.
KoAloha Ukulele is proud to be regarded as one of the premier Hawaiian ukulele builders. Their reputation for sound and quality are the result of the continuous pursuit of perfection. Each ukulele is meticulously and lovingly crafted by hand.
Kiwaya ukuleles are hand made in Japan and rate as some of the finest ukuleles in the world. Their tone and feel remind you of the vintage ukuleles that are so sought after.
The Flea and Fluke ukuleles are some of the coolest ukuleles around, made in the surf tradition of the 1950s. The moulded back and fretboard make them very durable, while they sound like a traditional uke.
McDonald’s Cairns, Innisfail and Atherton
Being one of the largest fast food chains in the world, serving over 1 million customers a day, McDonald’s restaurants probably need no introduction! Their menu consists of not only delicous burgers (try the new Angus burger) and fries but also healthy wraps and salads.
We’d also like to acknowledge the following media for supporting this festival:
Cairns Post | TimeOut | SeaFM | Hot FM | ABC Radio | 4CA | Cairns FM 89.1 | Rhythms Magazine | Southern Cross Times | Frommers | Zoom Zoom Magazine | 92.3 4TVR FM
If you are interested in sponsoring next year’s event, please e-mail to cairnsukulelefestival@live.com and we’ll get in touch with you to discuss the options.
