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This is Australia calling - Bowen's big night
JENNIFER O'REILLY
November 18th, 2008

BOWEN'S night of nights is just hours away and the town is abuzz with Hollywood fever as last-minute preparations are made for the premiere of Australia.

But star-spotters are being warned - it's local celebrities only.

Whitsundays Mayor Mike Brunker quashed rumours that Aussie stars Bryan Brown, Jack Thompson and David Wenham would be strolling the North Queensland red carpet.

"We've got our local star, eight-year-old Logan Mattingley," Cr Brunker said.

"He's decided to stay here with us.

"The only thing I was worried about was someone from Townsville saying `I'm in love with Jack Thompson' and driving down to see him and he's not going to be here.

"We didn't want to disappoint anyone."

But there are rumours Division 6 councillor Mark Gaudry will be coming along to the premiere in a white dinner jacket reminiscent of Hugh Jackman's.

There has been no news of a cheongsam-clad stand-in for Nicole Kidman.

There's a guest list of 273 people for the world-premiere of Baz Luhrmann's Australia in Bowen.

Cr Brunker said the outside of the town's Summergarden Theatre would be dressed up with lanterns to replicate the film's already-famous ballroom scene.

"We couldn't get a 1940s band so we're having some Australiana," he said.

Last-minute plans were proving hectic for the organising committee, according to Cr Brunker.

"I'll be glad when it's all over," he said.

"We forgot to get the (liquor) licence. We forgot to close the street off. The police are pulling out all stops. I'm very thankful."

Summergarden Theatre owner Ben de Luca was the calm at the eye of the storm of frantic preparations yesterday.

"Everything's going very well," Mr de Luca said.

"On our side of the show, the light show and the inside show, it's on target. There's not much panic."

Mr de Luca said the premiere would be the `biggest night' the Summergarden had ever hosted.

"To have a world premiere, it's big, albeit being shared with Sydney and Darwin," he said.

"It's something that will probably not happen again."

The red carpet will be flown into the city today. Local cafe Moody Blues is catering for the event with a Bowen-inspired menu of fresh produce, including seafood and mangoes. After the screening there will be a party at the theatre for invited guests.

"The fairy lights will be up," Mr de Luca said.

"The 20th Century Fox searchlights will be lighting up the sky."