"When Koala Meets Panda" 2017 China-Australia Youth Short Video Contest Awards Ceremony Held in Brisbane

Dr. Xu Jie, Consul-General of China in Brisbane, and Minister Kate Jones, presented awards

Hosted by the Consulate General of the People’s Republic of China in Brisbane and organized by People’s Daily Online Australia, the 2017 China-Australia Youth Short Video Contest Awards Ceremony was held in the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre on February 8th. More than 500 representatives from China and Australia were invited to witness the moment.

The contest generated ten Outstanding Work Awards, three individual awards, and one final award. At the ceremony, Councilor Angela Owen, representing the Lord Mayor of Brisbane; Professor Ian O’Connor, Vice Chancellor of Griffith University, representing all the supporting universities; Professor Colin Mackerras from Griffith University representing all the judges; and Ms. Mandy Xue, General Manager of People’s Daily Online Australia, presented award certificates to the Outstanding Work Award winners who attended the ceremony, including Clint Sci, Catalina Birch, Kyrra Wilks, Rory Joseph Neville, and Kiarni Shae Neville.

Dr. Xu Jie, Consul-General of the People’s Republic of China in Brisbane, and Minister Kate Jones, representing the Premier of Queensland, presented award certificates and trophies to the two individual awards winners: Best Story Award winner Lucy Jakubowski Laxon, and Most Creative Award winner Prudence Luttrell.

Ms Mandy Xue, General Manager of People’s Daily Online Australia, and Cr Angela Owen, presented awards to Rory Joseph Neville and Kiarni Shae Neville

Due to personal reasons, Amy Lyons, winner of the Best Editing Award and the final award, Most Popular in China Award, could not attend the ceremony, but she still sent a short video to express her gratitude and wishes. Other winners also expressed their excitement on stage. Catalina said that she had never thought about winning the Outstanding Work Award, adding that it would definitely become her motivation to continue learning Mandarin. Most Creative Award winner Prudence said that she hoped one day she could study in China’s universities so that she would have the opportunity to experience China’s 5,000-year history and rich culture.

Dr. Xu Jie, Consul-General of the People’s Republic of China in Brisbane, said that the success of the contest provided Australians with a better understanding about China and Chinese culture; meanwhile, it laid a good foundation for similar events in the future.

The short video contest has officially come to a successful end. The contest boosted the mutual understanding and friendship between Chinese and Australian youth, and also contributed to enhancing the two countries’ connections.