Name the mascot winner visits Australia - And LOVES IT !

Shanghai: In December, Australia welcomed the winner of the Australian Pavilion's 'Name the Mascot' competition to our shores. Chen Yue's winning entry - "Peng Peng" - was chosen by the Chinese public from a field of 2,800 original entries.

Chen Yue's prize of return airfares for Chen and her parents plus six nights' accommodation courtesy of Qantas, and $2000 spending money from ANZ allowed her to see and meet first-hand the country and people whose characteristics she imagined the pavilion's engaging kookaburra mascot would share.


During her week-long visit to Australia, Chen Yue visited Sydney and Brisbane, exploring some spectacular tourist attractions, soaking up the easy-going, relaxed atmosphere, enjoying the wide variety of cuisines, and taking many photos.

"The weather was picture perfect. Seeing these beautiful, well-designed, clean cities combining their history with contemporary innovative design and construction confirmed my view of Australia as one of the most livable countries in the world. The highlight for me however was getting to know the Australian people who are so friendly to travellers," she said.

 
During her trip, Chen visited the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary in Brisbane, where she and her parents cuddled koalas and saw many other native animals. Her family also drove the short distance to the Gold Coast where they enjoyed the cosmopolitan shopping and spectacular golden beaches.


In Sydney she took the iconic ferry ride across Sydney Harbour to Taronga Zoo where her family took in the stunning views of the world-famous Opera House, Sydney Harbour Bridge and city skyline. Another highlight of the trip was the day Chen Yue spent exploring Sydney's central shopping district and Chinatown, enjoying the vibrancy of a diverse metropolitan city, and delighting in the spectacular fireworks, live music and outdoor lifestyle at Darling Harbour.


Chen's winning name "Peng Peng" refers to a majestic bird in ancient Chinese mythology, a natural fit with Australia's own majestic bird, the kookaburra. The name also alludes to the Mandarin word for friendship, representative of the strong relationship between Australia and China.


Our young, clever and cheeky kookaburra mascot is an important part of the Australian pavilion team and he will soon be seen taking in the sights of Shanghai and its surroundings in the lead-up to Expo Opening Day on 1 May 2010.