NEWS ARCHIVE

2008

• July ESG Delivers a World Stage: World Youth Day 2008
• October ESG Launches a New Festival Stage at Parklife
• October ESG Doors Open in Melbourne

 

October 2008

ESG launches a New Festival Stage at Parklife

It's official! Our latest stage product, the New Festival Stage is ready for action.

Launched at this year's Sydney Parklife on the October long weekend, and then snapped up by the 2008 Australian Idol production for their nationally broadcast Grand Final event in November, the Festival stage was designed specifically with national and international productions in mind. Unlike dome-style stages, it affords productions a completely unobstructed 60ft x 40ft performance area, and is capable of supporting motors at a trim height of 12m. Designed in close consultation with our customers, this innovative structure combines the best aspects of our strongest performing stages, and leverages the latest construction methods and safety practices, all with an eye to minimising risk on site.

Other features of the Festival Stage include:

• Rigging capacity of 3 tonne per cross stage truss
• Fully waterproofed to ensure weather conditions don't dampen your event
• 28 rigging beams, so you can hang your show without compromise
• Fast, cost-effective assemble and disassemble
• Designed for the safest building methods
• Made in Australia

Call us on +61 2 9666 9566 for technical specifications, scale drawings or a quotation, or email us at info@esg-australia.com.

 

October 2008

ESG Doors Open in Melbourne

ESG has been delivering staging solutions in Melbourne for 10 years, all from our Sydney base. We figured it was time to officially open up shop in Melbourne town. Headed up by General Manager, Chris Beehan, our Melbourne office and warehouse officially opened their doors on October 1 - in glorious Sunshine.

A 13-year ESG veteran, Chris has spent the last 20 years in the entertainment industry, in various roles, from scaffolding to rigging to project management. His credits include international tours with some of the world's biggest artists, like Michael Jackson, Madonna, Bruce Springsteen, Robbie Williams and the Spice Girls. Most recently he was a senior Account Manager in the Sydney office, responsible for many key projects, including World Youth Day 08 and the 2006 Melbourne Commonwealth Games.

Joining Chris, as Operations Manager, is Melbourne local Andrew "Macka" McKinnon. With 18 years industry experience, Macka's background in site and production roles has placed him on gigs like the Big Day Out, Michael Jackson and U2 World Tours, and Grease and Happy Days shows. Most recently Macka was Head of Production with Federation Square.

And last, but not least, our latest Melbourne recruit, Office Manager, Mari-Jaine Manabat. She has the unenviable task of keeping Chris and Macka in line!

Business in Melbourne is off to a flying start. The team has already delivered staging structures for Parklife Melbourne, as well as the design, construction and installation of a stunning 55m x 15m outdoor building in Alexandria Gardens, for a leading bank's 150-year celebration.

If you're in Melbourne, you can contact ESG directly on 1300-ESS-AUS (1300 377 287).

 

July 2008

ESG Delivers a World Stage: World Youth Day 2008

July's World Youth Day 2008 was an eagerly anticipated and intensely symbolic event for millions of Australians. Sydney organisers required a structure that would not only ensure completely unhampered festivities, but also enable Pope Benedict XVI to appropriately engage with hundreds of thousands of rapt pilgrims.

The vision? Twin altars at both major Sydney sites (Randwick and Barangaroo), reflecting each other across the city. These stages were to be prominent, yet conducive to quiet, symbolic reflection. Two world-class sanctuaries brought to life by bold colour and exaggerated scale. Structures that would accommodate 700 cardinals and Bishops, a 300 piece choir, an Orchestra of 90 - 100 musicians and a 5m x 2.5m truss cruciform.

No small task. The organisers sought the services of a specialist staging provider, and chose ESG because of our proven track record with events of this scale and public prominence.

KEY FEATURES

• A 40m x 35m single span roof weighing 43 tonnes provided a protective structure for the Pope and his mass, and a symbolic hand-hold for mainstream media. (The roof construction required a specialised ESG crew to overcome high winds).
• Undulating landform, soil instability and a water run-off retention basin directly below more than half of the stage area, were among the many highly demanding site complexities.
• ESG contributed significant knowledge and understanding to address the intricacies of Papal security protocol.

STATISTICS

• As contracted, ESG successfully met the rigorous 24 day Build and 14 day Dismantle requirements of the Australian Jockey Club (AJC) and venue management.
• Six cranes, ranging from 50 - 100 tonnes, were required for the Southern Cross Precinct roof lift.
• Over 17,000 cubic metres of scaffold erected across two event sites simultaneously.
• 180+ lighting, sound & screen towers across Sydney to support auxiliary WYD events.

ESG' Managing Director, Iain Barclay, sings the praises of his team.

"ESG is widely recognised within the event industry as a leading rock 'n' roll staging supplier, but the talent of our team stretches far wider. We are lesser recognised for delivering the staging for Australia's most significant events including the Sydney Olympic and Melbourne Commonwealth Games, and we now have World Youth Day to add to our portfolio. The capability of ESG and expertise within this team is remarkable - we are a solid force to deliver any major production".

WYD 2008 said it greatly appreciated the professionalism and quality brought to its event by ESG.

"We needed a high level of construction and project management expertise to deliver stages at Randwick and Barangaroo that were to be focal points for an international spiritual event," said WYD 2008 spokesman Jim Hanna. "ESG's approach and commitment ensured they delivered appropriate settings in a timely and responsive manner."