Lasseters turns 30 & reflects on past
Tuesday, 28 June 2011
The casino originally opened in 1981 with a 12 hour extravaganza that included a $25,000 stage show for 250 of Alice Springs well-heeled. The casino was opened by international star Rolf Harris and entertainment included “...a flourish of bare-breasted dancers and Miss Northern Territory, Dianne Viant who did a “Lady Godiva” astride a camel” (Adelaide Advertiser 10th July 1981). It also included cabaret showgirls, local school musical talent, a pipe bands and sky divers, along with a fireworks display.
Lasseters Hotel Casino Marketing Manager Megan Thompson says “We’re celebrating our 30th Birthday next month with a free, all ages 30th Birthday concert on Friday 15th July starting at 7pm. To pay homage to our past we’re including a similar talent line-up to that of the opening night 30 years ago which includes cabaret showgirls, local school musical talent, as well as a spectacular fireworks display. In addition, we welcome 2009 Australian Idol winner Stan Walker as our headline act”.
Stan Walker was chosen by a poll that was conducted on Lasseters facebook page. Ex popular radio host duo Adam and Krusty will be joint master of ceremonies and the musical line-up includes Elsie Lange, The Unknown Artists, Exit Earth and The Warburtons. The event opens at 6pm.
Originally opening in 1981 as a country club, the casino became Diamond Springs Casino, which was sold in 1986 to become Lasseters Hotel Casino. In 2002 an additional 70 accommodation rooms were built and a joint venture with the Northern Territory Government saw the simultaneous construction of the Alice Springs Convention Centre.
Lasseters is the second largest employer in Alice Springs after the hospital. It has won numerous awards in the past for excellence including the prestigious Brolga Awards, the AHA Golden Plate Awards and the Aristocrat Awards for Excellence.
The casino has seen a number of General Managers over the past 30 years starting with Rosemary Nin in 1981 who was the first women manager of an Australian hotel-casino. Following on were Michael King, Bill Ford, Ivan Mannesarian, Joe Borg, Peter Bridge, Bill Coffey, Michael Lucas, Brad Morgan and existing Chief Operating Officer Chris Sartori.
In April this year Lasseters commenced a $35 million development of the venue. Lasseters currently has 140 rooms, four restaurants; two bars a sports lounge and an international standard casino. It is attached to the Alice Springs Convention Centre.
Lasseters Hotel Casino currently has 140 rooms, four restaurants; two bars a sports lounge and an international standard casino. It is attached to the Alice Springs Convention Centre and is framed by the magnificent MacDonnell Ranges.
ENDS
For more information, please contact:
Media Inquiries
Lasseters Hotel Casino
Ph: 08 8950 7777
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