Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events

On behalf of the Andrews Labor Government, welcome to the sporting and major events capital of Australia and proud host of the Australian Figure Skating Championships 2019.

Victoria lives and breathes sport, and no one puts on a show like we do.

We’re home to some of the biggest events in the world including the Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix, Australian Open tennis and Melbourne’s famous Spring Racing Carnival.

Over the next week our state’s winter sports hub O’Brien Icehouse will host more than 700 skaters from around the nation and the globe, showcasing their skills in solo, pairs, dance and synchronised teams.

With a number of national titles up for grabs and the chance to be nominated for international championships, the event promises to be a thrilling spectacle which will no doubt inspire our next generation of skating legends.

Hosting events such as Australian Figure Skating Championships is one of the reasons that Victoria is the country’s premier sporting and major events state.

We’re proud to have locked in this event for Melbourne through our $17.7 million Significant Sporting Events Program.

More than 650 events have been funded through the Significant Sporting Events Program and the benefits are spread across the state – more than half of the attractions have been hosted in regional Victoria, boosting local jobs and economies.

While in Melbourne, I encourage our interstate and overseas visitors to enjoy the best of everything Victoria has to offer, including great food, vibrant cultural attractions, stunning natural scenery and historic streetscapes.

I hope all competitors, volunteers and fans make the most of this year’s Australian Figure Skating Championships.

THE HON MARTIN PAKULA MP
Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events