WHEN James Bond star George Lazenby arrives in Goulburn this weekend, he won’t just be reuniting with his home town.
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The former 007, back for the inaugural Spyfest, will also get a chance to catch up with one of his co-stars from On Her Majesty’s Secret Service - Bond’s Aston Martin DBS - for only the second time since the film finished.
The car is owned by Melbourne-based Aston Martin enthusiast Sigi Zidziunas and will be making a special appearance at the Spyfest weekend.
Purchased in 1978 from a collector, the car made its way from Europe over to Australia and has been in Mr Zidziunas’s possession since. Mr Zidziunas contacted the Spyfest organisers after reading about the festival’s upcoming debut.
The car is one of two versions of the Aston Martin DBS used in the movie. While this car was used for external and road shots, the other had its windows and doors removed for filming. It’s unknown what happened to the other Aston Martin.
“Sigi used to run his kids to school in it and do the groceries with it - he just bought it because he liked it,” Spyfest organising committee member Wendy Antony said.
“While he was driving it around and having fun with it, more Bond movies were coming out and people started offering him money for the car, and so it grew and grew.
“Of course now, it’s a collectible and forms part of the Bond car series whenever they’re on exhibition. “For this to come to Spyfest, it’s a huge coup.”
The car has just finished a stint on display in Melbourne, and will be part of the Spyfest parade this Saturday.
While Lazenby won’t be riding in the car for the parade, it will still feature prominently among other cars from the Aston Martin Club in Sydney.
Spyfest will feature spy and crime movies, books, music, cars and several very special guests. The festival of events will feature spy and tech demonstrations, a parade, an author’s forum and city-wide game of ‘iSPY’.
A number of local businesses are showing their support of the festival (and sense of humour) by going undercover and re-naming their shop fronts.
A performance of talent at ‘Music to Spy By’ on Friday evening will be a night of top secret interpretations, featuring songs of adventure, crime and excitement.
Saturday morning will welcome the SPYfest Street Parade of spy style and super slick cars, complete with Bond girls and music.
After the official opening at Belmore Park there will be the Spy and Buy markets with high-tech gadgets on display, as well as eight of Australia’s top Karate masters showing off their skills.
Several popular crime, mystery and thriller authors will participate in an Authors Forum on Saturday afternoon.
Writers in attendance will include Goulburn raised Greg Barron, suspense crafter Rachel Amphlett, exmilitary man Chris Allen, novel debutant Scott Baker and both Derek Emerson-Elliot and Lynette Silver.
The Secret Agents Gala Dinner will be held on Saturday evening, emceed by Sir Sean Connery artist Chris de Havilland. Sir Sean will spend the evening accompanied by Miss Moneypenny, who will be performing all of the classic bond songs. More musical entertainment in the form of Dame Shirley Bassey, with smooth honeyed tones and a glamorous eight piece orchestra to delight, when Jennifer Green performs her Strictly Bassey show.
Saturday night will also host a Shagadelic Disco to dance the night away with groovy tunes inspired by Austin Powers.
A full printed program will be available for SPYfest.
Until then, keep up to date with the ever-increasing agenda by visiting www.spyfestgoulburn.com.au or by following the event on Facebook or Twitter.
