THE world of international espionage. Full of loud explosions, fast cars, death defying acts and iconic villains, it’s one that’s become a favourite movie genre around the world for the past 60 years.
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Now, Goulburn will become the ‘epicentre of espionage’ on September 25-26, when the inaugural Spyfest is held.
The festival, which has been planned with a secrecy that MI5 would be proud of, is officially unveiled today.
And organisers are hoping that one day it becomes to Goulburn what the Elvis Festival is to Parkes.
The inspiration for the Festival comes from James Bond star George Lazenby, who originally hailed from Goulburn before moving to London and international fame (see breakout story).
While its origins lie in James Bond, Spyfest would honour all those spies who have graced our screens over the years. Jack Ryan. Jason Bourne. Austin Powers. Maxwell Smart. Spy Kids.
Spyfest Committee member Wendy Antony told the Goulburn Post while the finishing touches are being put to the Festival’s itinerary, a number of events are already planned.
“Spyfest, we believe, will be the only festival in the world to celebrate the spy genre, and we want to see the festival take the lead role in launching Goulburn’s annual spring festival calendar,” Mrs Antony said.
The committee have already arranged a few different spy-themed events, including a street parade featuring Aston Martins and other Bond-era cars, a crime writers Q&A and other family activities around Goulburn.
Spyfest will culminate in gala dinner on Saturday night, replete with renowned Dame Shirley Bassey tribute artist Jenifer Green, who will boom out Bond classics such as Goldfinger, Diamonds Are Forever and Moonraker with Chris De Havilland, a noted Sir Sean Connery performer, to emcee.
Mrs Antony said the committee is really excited about Spyfest’s potential, and hope the Goulburn community get behind the idea.
“It’s entirely a not for profit festival, solely aimed at attracting visitors and injecting vital dollars into our local economy,” Mrs Antony said.
She also thanked Goulburn Mulwaree Council for their support with the festival.
As for the man himself, the committee cited the Official Secrets Act when asked if Lazenby would be attending the festival in his honour. But they did confirm that more details about Spyfest would be forthcoming leading up to the festival’s official opening.
For more information about sponsorship opportunities, or expressions of interest from like-minded groups in presenting and promoting this event, you can contact Spyfest Inc on hq@spyfestgoulburn.com.au or by calling Julie on 0418 224 598, Wendy on 0421 543 330 or Russell on 0411 709 581.
Lazenby... George Lazenby
SO who is George Lazenby?
Despite Queanbeyan’s attempts to claim Lazenby as their own, the sole Australian to have played the James Bond on screen was actually born right here in Goulburn on September 5 1939.
His parents were railway worker George and his wife Sheila, and Lazenby attended Goulburn Public School and Goulburn High, moving away from Goulburn to Queanbeyan in 1954.
Lazenby moved to London, selling cars until he was spotted by a photographer and starting his career as a male model.
Lazenby found celluloid immortality in the 1969 instalment On Her Majesty’s Secret Service.
The Bond movie franchise has grossed more than $6 billion worldwide since the first installment, Dr No, hit screens in 1964.
He famously quit the role before the film’s premiere, believing that the Bond character would become irrelevant in the 1970s.
