Australian film festival comes to town

The Wog Boy

Welcoming the press representatives at the Recreation Centre of the Australian High Commission on December 7, the High Commissioner for Australia in Bangladesh, Lorraine Barker said, 'This festival will further strengthen the already strong people-to-people links, which exist between Australia and Bangladesh. Australia and Bangladesh share one another's cultural heritage--through our shared belief in democracy, the Commonwealth and "our cricket links". These people-to-people linkages are most evident through the population of Australians living in Bangladesh and the number of Bangladeshis--including a growing number of students--living in Australia.'

.'Australia is more commonly known in Bangladesh as a sporting power and indeed Australia is famous for cricket in this cricket-loving nation. Australia nominated and worked hard to get Bangladesh test nation status in cricket in the year 2000. And, Cricket Australia is working with the Bangladesh Cricket Board to add value in training and development of the Bangladesh cricket team and the successful future of cricket in this country.'

Lorraine Barker added,'Indeed in 1971 Australia was the first developed country to recognise Bangladesh as an independent nation and to establish diplomatic relations with the newly independent country. '

When asked if she had watched any Bangladeshi films she replied 'No, but I have read a number of books from your country.' Replying to a question, Barker said that the FDC could take steps for developing the film sector through the assistance of the Australian government.

Free tickets can be collected from the Australian High Commission in Gulshan or the British Council reception (Fuller Road).