Lord Mayor Sally Capp today announced this year's Moomba Monarchs are representatives of the unsung community heroes who have been working to keep us all safe during COVID-19.
In line with the community focus of Moomba, the Lord Mayor crowned cleaner Pravini Fernando, Infectious Diseases Physician Professor Kirsty Buising, and supermarket worker Drew Law as this year's Moomba Monarchs.
Previous Monarchs include Jane Bunn, Archie Thompson, Michelle and Stevie Payne, Shane Warne and Pallavi Sharda, Guy Grossi and Karen Martini, Harry Kewell and Natalie Bassingthwaighte, Mick Malthouse and Ruby Rose, The Oarsome Foursome, Peter Brock, Graham Kennedy, and Lou Richards.
Quotes attributable to Lord Mayor Sally Capp:
"Kirsty, Pravini and Drew personify the spirit of Melburnians responding to COVID-19. They represent the everyday community heroes that work to make sure our streets are clean, our supermarket shelves are stocked, and we're healthy and feel connected," the Lord Mayor said.
"The pandemic has taught us how much we rely on each other - whether it's a cashier, a cleaner or our family doctor. This year we wanted to celebrate our frontline workers because they really are everyday community heroes."
Quotes attributable to Councillor Roshena Campbell:
"Moomba has always been more than a fun festival, for almost 70 years it has provided a major boost to the economy and helped to keep Melburnians in jobs," Cr Campbell said.
"At a time when Melbourne needs it most, up to 1,000 workers from more than 120 businesses will work to deliver Moomba."
BIOGRAPHIES
Pravini Fernando
With the pandemic impacting her role in the hospitality industry, Pravini Fernando began working with Spotless in their Yarra Trams cleaning team, which is funded by the State Government's Working for Victoria initiative. Pravini has been sanitising high touch-points at tram stops and depots. Pravini takes great pride helping commuters feel safer in the city and enjoys talking to people from all walks of life.
Professor Kirsty Buising
Professor Kirsty Buising is an infectious diseases physician at Royal Melbourne Hospital's Victorian Infectious Diseases Service. Her guidance and expertise have been vital to keeping medical staff and patients safe from COVID-19.
Drew Law
Store Support Manager at Coles Eastland, Drew Law, goes out of his way to support customers, including personally delivering groceries to an elderly customer.
PROGRAMMING:
Moomba Carnival at Alexandra Gardens will feature rides, food trucks and live performances. Riverslide Skate Park in the Carnival precinct will host the Australian Skateboard League National Final where experienced skaters, scooters and BMX riders will compete across the weekend.
Basketball lovers can enjoy the NBL 3x3 Hustle, register for a Community Hustle game, or catch the pros in an NBL Legends Game on Star Lawn, also in the Alexandra Gardens Carnival precinct.
Entry to all activity in Alexandra Gardens is free, but session times must be pre-booked via the Moomba website.
Along with the carnival at Alexandra Gardens, a 'Love Melbourne, Love Moomba' theme will be displayed at some of Melbourne's most iconic locations.
Significant buildings will be lit up in red to encourage everyone to show their love for Melbourne, while large floral love heart displays will pop up at Melbourne Town Hall, Bourke Street Mall, the State Library of Victoria and more locations.
The festival will also show its love for Melbourne with a light installation of a gigantic beating heart placed before the city's skyline along the banks of the Yarra on the Upper Terrace of Birrarung Marr.
There will be pop-up music performances and street art installations around the city, as well as a busking competition where the winner will receive a 'golden ticket' to Melbourne's best events.
In partnership with Arts Centre Melbourne, the City of Melbourne will be bringing live music and entertainment to the Sidney Myer Music Bowl stage across the Moomba Long Weekend. Featured artists include The Cat Empire along with Kids at the Bowl with Jimmy Giggle, Justine Clarke, Dan Sultan and Pevan & Sarah.
The City of Melbourne thanks its valued Moomba partners for their support, including the Victorian Government, Transport Accident Commission, Nine News, oOh!media, Ticketek and Wallaby Water.
To book a session at Alexandra Gardens and for full program details, visit www.melbourne.vic.gov.au/moomba
