OPENING WORDS
Lord Mayor's Welcome
LORD MAYOR'S WELCOME
S
ydney is a water city. Even before its so-called “discovery” by Europeans, our Harbour was for thousands of years a meeting place, a valuable food source and a place of ritual for Indigenous tribes. It remains all those things to this day, for all of us. So it is a special pleasure to welcome you all — Sydney locals, interstate and international visitors alike — to the 53rd Sydney International Boat Show, back after a two-year hiatus caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. During the pandemic lockdowns, we were reminded of how important outdoor recreation and access to public open space and water is. People took to the Harbour in new ways — not just on boats but kayaks, paddleboards and even swimming. We are working with Sydney Water to improve water quality in the area to encourage even more of this activity. The 2022 Sydney International Boat Show celebrates everything that can be enjoyed in, on or around the water. There’s something for all ages, with a fantastic range of watercraft, new equipment, in-pool demonstrations and family-friendly entertainment on show, at the open-air Event Deck. Inflatable pools at ICC Sydney offer demonstrations of water sports equipment and fun for young visitors with bumper boat rides The show also gives important information on using and caring for
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SYDNEY INTERNATIONAL BOAT SHOW
our precious marine environment. The Sydney International Boat Show is a great reason to come and visit the city and while you’re here, I encourage you to stay a while — have a wander around and enjoy all the city has to offer. Take our Light Rail around to other city vantage points like the Quay and the Opera House, and walk up to the headland to appreciate the monumental sculpture we recently unveiled there; bara was created by Indigenous artist Judy Watson paying homage to the fishhooks used by Indigenous women as they fished the Harbour's waters. It’s a reminder that Sydney always was a maritime city. So once again, on behalf of the City of Sydney, welcome to you all.
Clover Moore Lord Mayor of Sydney
