Navy's International Fleet Review Will Be Biggest Sydney Party Since 2000 Olympic Games

SYDNEY will welcome more than 40 warships into the harbour and Prince Harry as the city and the Royal Australian Navy celebrate the International Fleet Review. 

On Friday, October 4 the entire city will come to a halt as a fleet of 40 warships from 20 different nations enter the harbour.

The current ship to carry the name Sydney, HMAS Sydney (IV), will lead the fleet through the heads.
In addition to the arrival of the ships, Imagination - the team behind the 2011 and 2012 New Year's eve events - will produce the Royal Australian Navy's International Fleet Review Spectacular on October 5.

The event, which is expected to be the biggest public display in Australia since the 2000 Olympics, will feature an extensive array of pyrotechnics, lights and projections that will light up the harbour and seven selected ships.

Heath Campanaro, director of Imagination and project manager, said the 30-minute event would utilise the decks of seven warships and vantage points around the harbour to simulate WWII in Sydney.

A spectacular fireworks show and mock war will light up the harbour.

"There will be 28 lighting positions in the city as well as seven warships on the harbour and we will have projections, a soundtrack and plenty of pyrotechnics," he said.

"The pyrotechnics are going to be the biggest thing of all and we have again asked Foti Fireworks to be involved because we have a great relationship with those guys."

Mr Campanaro said the Royal Australian Navy's International Fleet Review Spectacular would be unlike anything Sydney had ever experienced before.

"There are going to be so many layers happening at the same time when we put this on," he said.

Warships will be used to mount an amazing harbour light show.

"We are creating scenes that replicate WWII where we will feel like Sydney is under attack. We will have choppers flying over and sailors will be doing activities on deck. There will be lots of lighting, lots of action and the whole thing will be amazing."

* For more information on the International Fleet Review, visit: navy.gov.au/ifr

Sydney Gears Up for Opera House's 40th Anniversary

The sight of the Sydney Opera House lit up in the city's harbour is always a highlight of any holiday to Australia, but this October it will be more special than ever.

That is because the iconic building is celebrating its 40th anniversary and a series of events have been planned to mark the occasion.

Among them is a star studded concert on 27 October featuring the Sydney Symphony Orchestra performing Beethoven's Ninth Symphony, the Sydney Philharmonia Choirs and Opera Australia soloists.

Ending the evening with a rendition of Beethoven's Ninth will be particularly poignant, as it was played when the Queen declared the venue open in 1973.

Dennis Watkins, artistic director of the event, told the Sydney Morning Herald: 'We will honour the past and also look forward.'

A week prior to the concert, tourists will be able to wander around the Opera House as it will have an open door policy between 9am and 1pm on 20 October, with cake and music also provided.

Holey Sound Decisions - Holey Dollar Macquarie Group FREE Exhibition

Governor Lachlan Macquarie and the holey dollar.

Although the connection is not immediately obvious, the Macquarie Group's logo is based on the holey dollar, Australia's first coin. These silver coins were introduced 200 years ago, in 1813, appropriately by Governor Lachlan Macquarie.

Faced with a severe shortage of local currency, Macquarie had the bright idea of buying 40,000 Spanish silver dollars from the East India Company in Madras. He transformed them into local currency by punching a hole in each coin, creating an outer circular ring and an inner disc.

The outer ring was re-stamped ''New South Wales'' to become the 1813 holey dollar with a value of five shillings. The inner disc was also re-stamped to become the 1813 dump, with a value of 15 pence.

The conversion was done by a convicted forger, William Henshall.

The holey dollar, Australia's first distinct coin.

When the Macquarie Group decided to stage an exhibition of these coins to mark the anniversary, it recruited Belinda Downie, managing director of Coinworks in Melbourne.

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About 300 of these coins survive, with 200 in private hands, including most of the finest known examples. Downie knows where they are because chances are she has bought and sold them in the past 10 years.
She assembled 13 of the most significant holey dollars, with a total estimated value of $7.3 million.

These coins have taken off as solid-gold investments in the past 10 years, especially since the global financial crisis.

In March, a West Australian collector paid a record price of $495,000 for one, bought through Coinworks.
Downie also sold the holey dollar that set the previous record of $485,000 in 2011.

Three other examples have sold for more than $400,000 since 2010. Downie estimates she has sold 10 holey dollars in the past three years, for a total value of $3.46 million.

What makes the coins so special is that each is unique. Governor Macquarie's urgent request for 40,000 silver dollars did not specify dates, and the coins supplied had been struck at various mints, including Mexico, Peru, Bolivia, Spain, Guatemala, Chile and Colombia.

The condition was of no concern given what would happen to them. Some, of course, are more significant than others.

One of the most notable on display at the exhibition is known as the Hannibal Head, a reference to the unflattering portrait of Joseph Bonaparte on the original Spanish coin. It is the only one known bearing this design and its exceptional condition makes it one of the most valuable. 

It sold at the Eminent Colonials Auction in August last year for about $450,000. The coin's previous public appearance was at a 1988 Spinks auction where it was listed with a $45,000 estimate, which bidders thought a little excessive. It's thought it sold privately after the auction for $40,500.

 Downie picked up this coin in 2007 for a cool $260,000, then on-sold it to a client who, five years later, sold it again for a profit of about $200,000.

She says this tenfold increase in value from 1988 to 2013 is typical of Holey Dollars in good condition.
The location of the mint is also significant. Holey dollars from the Mexico Mint are relatively common. Examples from Lima and Potosi are scarce.

The exhibited holey dollar struck at the Madrid Mint is unique in private hands.
The date can also be a factor.
The 1788 holey dollar on display marks the year that NSW was settled and, as if William Henshall were aware of this, the countermarks New South Wales, the holey dollar date 1813 and the Spanish dollar date 1788 are vertically aligned.
This raises an interesting question. Was Henshall under instructions to make this holey dollar the textbook coin in the series?

The exhibition also includes four examples of the 1813 dumps. Originally worth a mere 15 pence, these are also in demand. Those in exceptional condition are valued at up to $250,000.

The Macquarie Group Exhibition of Holey Dollars starts on October 2 at 1 Martin Place, Sydney. The exhibition is open to the public and admission is free.

Agatha Christie's A Murder Is Announced

The producers of last year’s acclaimed tour of The Mousetrap have assembled another stellar all Australian cast to stage one of Agatha Christie's most loved plays, A Murder is Announced.  Featuring Christie’s legendary lady sleuth, Miss Marple, A Murder is Announced establishes firmly Christie’s claim to the throne of detection. The plot is as ingenious as ever, the writing skillful, the dialogue both wise and witty; suspense builds from the very start and is maintained ever so brilliantly until the final revelation.

Judy Farr will play Christie’s much-loved heroine, Miss Marple. 

Joining Judi Farr (in alphabetical order) will be James Beck (City Homicide, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Neighbours) as Edmund Swettenham, as Mrs Swettenham, Carmen Duncan (After The Fall, Another World, Winners and Losers), Robert Grubb (Yes, Prime Minister, MAMMA MIA!, We Will Rock You, The Flying Doctors) as Inspector Craddock, Victoria Haralabidou (Stuff Happens, Thirst, Brides) as Mitzi and Jamie Kristian (Underbelly: Razor, The Bill, The Crucible) as Sergeant Mellors/Rudi Scherz. The lady of Little Paddocks, matriarch, Letitia Blacklock will be played by Debra Lawrance (Home and Away, Evil Angels, The Memory of Water) with Nathaniel Middleton (Bell Shakespeare) as Patrick Simmons, Libby Munro (Venus in Fur, The Bind, All Saints) as Phillipa Haymes, Elizabeth Nabben (Winners and Losers) as Julia Simmons. 

Capping off a stellar cast is Deidre Rubenstein (Palace of Dreams, Night Letters, Josh Jarman, Siam Sunset) as Letita’s old friend Dora “Bunny” Bunner.

A Murder is Announced is full of twists, turns, mystery and intrigue that will have you guessing till the very end. If you enjoyed the Mousetrap, you wont want to miss Miss Marple as she works tirelessly to solve whodunit in this Christie masterpiece, A Murder is Announced. Coming to the Comedy Theatre, from October 30 for strictly 5 weeks.

SYNOPSIS

In an English village, you turn over a stone and have no idea what will crawl out. The villagers of Chipping Cleghorn, including Miss Marple, are agog with curiosity over an advertisement in the local gazette which reads: ‘A murder is announced and will take place on Friday October 13th, at Little Paddocks at 6.30p.m.’ A childish practical joke or a hoax? Unable to resist the mysterious invitation, a crowd begins to gather at Little Paddocks home when, at the appointed time, the lights go out and a gun is fired...

WHERE: Sydney Theatre at Walsh Bay

Purchase Tickets at Ticketmaster

Prince Harry to Visit Australia

Britain's Prince Harry makes a speech at the Friends of the Forces Awards in London on July 13, 2010. The royal will visit Australia next month for events in Sydney marking the Royal Australian Navy's centenary of service, Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott has said. (AFP/File) 

Britain's Prince Harry will visit Australia next month for events in Sydney marking the Royal Australian Navy's centenary of service, Prime Minister Tony Abbott said Monday.

"Whilst Prince Harry visited Australia privately in his gap year in 2003, this will be his first official visit to Australia," Abbott said in a statement.

"During his visit next month, Prince Harry will attend the International Fleet Review in Sydney to mark the centenary of the first entry of the Royal Australian Navy's Fleet into Sydney."

Abbott said Australians had great warmth towards members of the royal family and Prince Harry, the fourth in line to the British throne, would be an "honoured visitor".

"As a member of the armed forces, Prince Harry has continued a long tradition of duty and service," he said.
"His work and advocacy for numerous charitable organisations has also been an important focus of his public life."

The Royal Australian Navy will commemorate the arrival of its first fleet 100 years ago into Sydney Harbour with a spectacular International Fleet Review from October 3. Some 54 international warships and 17 tall ships will take part.

The British royals are generally popular in Australia. The country rejected the opportunity to cut ties to the monarchy in a 1999 referendum, with just over 45 percent of voters saying "yes" to a republic.

Sydney 500 to Enter the Twilight Zone as V8 Supercars Tweak Schedule

V8 Supercars' season-ending Sydney 500 in December will preview the introduction of several twilight races in next year's new-look series.

As well as adopting three standardised event formats, the 14-event V8 championship next year will include at least five Saturday races that finish in early evening fading light. As a precursor to next year's more regular twilight races, the first 250-kilometre leg of the Sydney 500 at the Olympic Park street circuit on December 7 will be run from late afternoon to the approach of sunset.

V8 Supercars confirmed the Saturday race switch to a dusk finish this year with the release on Monday of next year's series schedule, which will feature up to seven Saturday races finishing near nightfall.

The Sydney 500's new twilight opening race will start at 5.10pm and end by 7.30pm, and will be shown live by the Seven Network. It is timed to finish about 30 minutes before sunset to ensure there is enough light to race in overcast conditions.

The events to include Saturday twilight races next year and their timings will be finalised in the new year following consultation with Seven, which will broadcast them on one of its three channels.

As well as the Sydney 500, other big two-race street circuit events such as the season-opening Adelaide 500 in early March and the Gold Coast 600 in late October are likely candidates for their Saturday races to be run in early evening.

''We would like to think those massive, marquee street races could become twilight events on the Saturday evening,'' V8 chief executive James Warburton said. ''If you look at the events where the sun sets quite late, there is potential for five or more events to include a twilight component.

''We will investigate all of those and speak to the parties involved, including Seven, before we make those decisions.'' There will be no V8 events outside Australasia next year after the decision to postpone a return to the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas, until 2015.

The track hosted V8 racing's first visit to the US in mid-May, but it is staging the X Games at that time next year, and an alternative date that worked for both V8s and the track was not available. Despite V8's poor record of holding onto events on other continents, Warburton is adamant Texas will be reinstated, possibly twinned with a second event in the region.

''There is genuine interest from other North American venues,'' he said. ''We will decide with COTA on the best approach to the 2015 event to make it bigger than this year's success, on and off track.''

Lady Gaga Set for VIP Repeat in Sydney as Southern Cross Austereo Negotiates Deal

Lady Gaga performs her first Monster Ball show at the Sydney Entertainment Centre in 2010

IT was one of the must-see events of 2011 and Lady Gaga looks set to return to Sydney Town Hall for a repeat performance. 

It's understood radio network Southern Cross Austereo is in talks with the US singer's music label to stage an intimate concert during a break in an upcoming tour, with February the most likely month.
A SCA spokesperson wouldn't confirm the plans.

However, music industry sources say the network is in the final stages of negotiations.

Dubbed the 'Monsters Ball' and staged at Town Hall in July 2011, it was hailed a massive success for SCA as well as commercial partners, Vodafone and MCM Media. The invite-only show cost $1 million.

Freemantle Dockers Brace for AFL 'War' With Sydney Swans

Fremantle AFL skipper Matthew Pavlich says he respects Sydney's culture, and how they go about their football.

Fremantle skipper Matthew Pavlich says his side are preparing for "footy war" ahead of Saturday night's AFL preliminary final against Sydney at Patersons Stadium.

The Dockers are strong favourites to win the match given their hot recent form and home ground advantage.

In contrast, Sydney have been ravaged by injuries, with key players Adam Goodes, Kurt Tippett, Rhyce Shaw, Tom Mitchell and Sam Reid all out of action.

However, Pavlich said the defending premiers shouldn't be taken lightly, especially given their reputation for playing a hard-nosed, contested brand of football.

"You admire a lot of teams in the AFL but certainly Sydney - their culture, leaders, the way they go about their business - we very much respect what they're about," Pavlich said on Thursday.

"And that's why we're preparing ourselves for what we call footy war, because it's going to go until the end.

"They are contested, big-bodied players.

"What they're about is exactly what we'd like to be about as well. We understand how hard a game it's going to be."

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Homebake Opera House: Paul Kelly, Gurrumul, Presets and Bernard Fanning Among Headliners

Rock everyman: Bernard Fanning will play at Homebake on the Opera House forecourt.

Homebake will be a three-day festival at the Opera House on December 6 to 8

The rumours that 2013 Homebake festival will be held on the steps of the Sydney Opera House have been confirmed by the event's organisers – but that was just the start of changes to the long-running Australian Music festival for its 18th birthday.

Homebake, for 17 years a one-day event, will be run as a boutique festival over three days at the Opera House forecourt, in conjunction with the Opera House’s 40th anniversary.

Paul Kelly and Gurrumul Yunupingu will headline a folk-rock focused opening day, on Friday, December 6, from 4pm. The Presets and Cat Empire will head a dance-focused bill on Saturday, December 7, and the closing day, Sunday, December 8, has a rock line-up led by Birds of Tokyo, Bernard Fanning, You Am I, The Rubens and the Beasts of Bourbon. On Saturday and Sunday, gates open at 2pm.

Gurrumul Yunupingu will headline a folk-rock focused opening day. Photo: Rob Gunstone

The capacity will be slashed from 20,000 at the Domain to 5000 per day. But organisers say Homebake will still feature other entertainment, such as comedy, market stalls, bars and food outlets.

The capacity will be slashed from 20,000 at the Domain to 5000 per day. But organisers say Homebake will still feature other entertainment, such as comedy, market stalls, bars and food outlets.

Sydney Opera House chief executive Louise Herron said Homebake co-promoter Michael Chugg was behind one of the first concerts on the forecourt, which featured Stevie Wright, Skyhooks, Richard Clapton and Split Enz.

"Our 40th Anniversary is all about drawing on our heritage, as we launch into the future and the next generation of artists, audiences and visitors to the Opera House.  So it is wonderful to be welcoming Michael Chugg and Homebake onto the forecourt as part of our celebrations.”

Chugg said the Sydney Opera House was ‘‘a special place’’.

“I have wonderful memories of delivering shows from some of the best Australian acts on those very steps, from the ... Concert of the Decade to the Crowded House Farewell To The World tour.’’
Homebake is expected to revert to a one-day festival in the Domain from 2014.

Homebake’s 18th birthday edition is on December 6-8 and takes place at the Sydney Opera House forecourt and surrounds. Tickets go on sale next Wednesday, September 25 at 9am, from www.homebake.com.au and www.oztix.com.au

ACTS LISTED AS PERFORMING

Friday, December 6, 2013

Paul Kelly

Gurrumul Yunupingu

Eskimo Joe

Vance Joy

Thelma Plum

Sheppard

Saturday, December 7, 2013

The Presets

The Cat Empire

Architecture In Helsinki

The Aston Shuffle

Way Of The Eagle (featuring guest performers Dan Sultan, Daniel Merriweather, Amy Findlay, Harry Angus & Lachlan Mitchell)

Deep Sea Arcade

Bam Bam

Sunday, December 8, 2013

Birds of Tokyo

Bernard Fanning

The Rubens

You Am I

Beasts Of Bourbon

Kingswood

Courtney

Homebake Opera House: Paul Kelly, Gurrumul, Presets and Bernard Fanning Among Headliners

Rock everyman: Bernard Fanning will play at Homebake on the Opera House forecourt.

Homebake will be a three-day festival at the Opera House on December 6 to 8

The rumours that 2013 Homebake festival will be held on the steps of the Sydney Opera House have been confirmed by the event's organisers – but that was just the start of changes to the long-running Australian Music festival for its 18th birthday.

Homebake, for 17 years a one-day event, will be run as a boutique festival over three days at the Opera House forecourt, in conjunction with the Opera House’s 40th anniversary.

Paul Kelly and Gurrumul Yunupingu will headline a folk-rock focused opening day, on Friday, December 6, from 4pm. The Presets and Cat Empire will head a dance-focused bill on Saturday, December 7, and the closing day, Sunday, December 8, has a rock line-up led by Birds of Tokyo, Bernard Fanning, You Am I, The Rubens and the Beasts of Bourbon. On Saturday and Sunday, gates open at 2pm.

Gurrumul Yunupingu will headline a folk-rock focused opening day. Photo: Rob Gunstone

The capacity will be slashed from 20,000 at the Domain to 5000 per day. But organisers say Homebake will still feature other entertainment, such as comedy, market stalls, bars and food outlets.

The capacity will be slashed from 20,000 at the Domain to 5000 per day. But organisers say Homebake will still feature other entertainment, such as comedy, market stalls, bars and food outlets.

Sydney Opera House chief executive Louise Herron said Homebake co-promoter Michael Chugg was behind one of the first concerts on the forecourt, which featured Stevie Wright, Skyhooks, Richard Clapton and Split Enz.

"Our 40th Anniversary is all about drawing on our heritage, as we launch into the future and the next generation of artists, audiences and visitors to the Opera House.  So it is wonderful to be welcoming Michael Chugg and Homebake onto the forecourt as part of our celebrations.”

Chugg said the Sydney Opera House was ‘‘a special place’’.

“I have wonderful memories of delivering shows from some of the best Australian acts on those very steps, from the ... Concert of the Decade to the Crowded House Farewell To The World tour.’’
Homebake is expected to revert to a one-day festival in the Domain from 2014.

Homebake’s 18th birthday edition is on December 6-8 and takes place at the Sydney Opera House forecourt and surrounds. Tickets go on sale next Wednesday, September 25 at 9am, from www.homebake.com.au and www.oztix.com.au

ACTS LISTED AS PERFORMING

Friday, December 6, 2013

Paul Kelly

Gurrumul Yunupingu

Eskimo Joe

Vance Joy

Thelma Plum

Sheppard

Saturday, December 7, 2013

The Presets

The Cat Empire

Architecture In Helsinki

The Aston Shuffle

Way Of The Eagle (featuring guest performers Dan Sultan, Daniel Merriweather, Amy Findlay, Harry Angus & Lachlan Mitchell)

Deep Sea Arcade

Bam Bam

Sunday, December 8, 2013

Birds of Tokyo

Bernard Fanning

The Rubens

You Am I

Beasts Of Bourbon

Kingswood

Courtney

Four Key Players For This Weekend’s NRL Finals

Week one of the NRL finals delivered everything we have come to love about rugby league. It had excitement, controversy, upsets and what has to be regarded as the game of the year, in the Roosters versus the Sea Eagles.

We also saw the Bulldogs and Cowboys leave the competition, the former quietly out the back door and the latter kicking and screaming out the front door.

Now we turn our attention to finals week two, which again sees two tough match-ups – Sea Eagles versus Sharks, and Storm versus Knights.

Each team have their own points to prove in this race to make the NRL grand final.

I have selected four key players who will have the greatest impact for their team this weekend.

Manly Sea Eagles

Manly have got experience and talent all over the park and with Brett Stewart being named at fullback you could be mistaken for thinking that’s who I would choose, but the man I’ve gone for as my x-factor for the Sea Eagles is Jamie Lyon.

The captain and centre has the ability to change the game in Manly’s favour. Lyon has played 233 games and has the big match experience, that is for sure.

Whether it’s in defence or attack, Lyon is a constant threat and if the Sharks’ left side defence faults he will most definitely make them pay.

Great passing game, good touch when kicking near the line and knowing when the big play is needed, all these star attributes make Jamie Lyon such a plus for the Manly side in this NRL finals series.

Cronulla Sharks

With Todd Carney given next to no hope of taking the field tomorrow night, the Cronulla Sharks need someone to stand up and create a bit of magic and that man is Michael Gordon.

While the team boasts multiple State of Origin and Australian representative players, it’s the fullback who could have the most impact.

His leg speed close to the line enables him to bust tackles and make breaks most people couldn’t get close to doing.

His explosive speed close to the line makes him an enormous threat to the Sea Eagles’ defence, and has the ability to change the game with his goal kicking – Jamie Lyon hasn’t kicked great this year and if it comes down to a shootout in the goal kicking department, I know who my money is on.

The scary part is I still don’t think we have seen the best of Michael Gordon, let’s hope for the Sharks’ sake Manly get to see the best of Michael Gordon.

Melbourne Storm

When you think of Melbourne Storm you think of the big three, but the master and commander, the little general who steers the ship, is without a doubt Cameron Smith.

His ability to control a game is unequalled. Whether it’s in defence or attack, Smith is the number one hooker in the NRL today.

His scoots out of dummy half make metres and keep the Storm moving forward. His ability to identify weaknesses in the defensive line and combine with Billy Slater is always a threat. His awareness of when the Storm are in trouble and take control with a deep kick makes him Melbourne’s biggest asset.

You ask any coach in the NRL today if they could buy one player right now, who would it be, and they will all tell you Cameron Smith.

There is no doubt if the Storm’s forwards lay the platform, then Cameron Smith will lead them to victory.

Newcastle Knights

The surprise packet for most people in this NRL finals series is without a doubt the Newcastle Knights.

In this 2013 season the heart and soul of the Knights, week-in and week-out, has been Jarrod Mullen.

People talk about his kicking game being one of the best in the competition, and I agree. However it’s been his defence that’s most impressed me this season.

The five-eighth is always targeted in the defence line by the big boppers of the opposition but he has not faulted. Some might say it’s been similar form to the Immortal Andrew Johns.

Off the back of great defence, Mullen has grown as a leader of the team, steering the Knights around the park and kicking them to victories.

His left to right passing game and exceptional kicking game are rated as the best in the NRL.

And while Newcastle will run out on Sunday with the likes of Willie Mason, Danny Buderus, Darius Boyd and Akuila Uate in their side, look for the little number six to produce the big plays.

Cometh the hour, cometh the man – Mullen is ready to go to the next level.

Average punter’s big tips

While I am no Peter Sterling or Phil Gould, these are my tips for NRL finals series week two.

I am going for Sea Eagles to be too strong for the Sharks. Even though Cronulla have put in a tremendous effort to finish where they have, without Carney I don’t see them being able to trouble the Manly defence too often.

Granted Manly had a massive game last week and it would have taken a lot out of them, the inclusion of Brett Stewart is a big one and I see them being two tries too good.

Sea Eagles to beat the Sharks 18-6.

I am tipping the upset of the year in the second game, Knights to beat the Storm.

Yes Melbourne are the defending champions, and yes they have Smith, Slater and Cooper Cronk. But they have also lost two of their last three games and with Gareth Widdop not playing with much confidence after coming back from injury, I believe Newcastle will be too strong.

In the last four weeks the Newcastle Knights have transformed into a team growing confidence and belief in their game plan.

With the experienced heads of Buderus, Jeremy Smith and Mullen in great form and leading from the front, and the most experienced NRL coach of all time, Wayne Bennett, at the helm, I’m going the Knights to break the hoodoo down in Melbourne.

Knights to beat the Storm 16-12.

Good luck this weekend to you and your teams.

Prince Harry's Hats-off Three Cheers Salute in Sydney Harbour Naval Extravaganza

PRINCE Harry - the playboy royal and fourth in line to the British throne - is expected to receive a hats-off three cheers royal salute from thousands of sailors on Sydney Harbour next month.

It is understood Harry will be accompanied by Governor-general Quentin Bryce when he takes the royal salute by sailing past some 40 warships on board a royal barge or another navy boat.

According to well-placed sources the prince is odds-on to be guest of honour at the Royal Australian Navy's centenary celebrations, however no official announcement will be made until a week before the gala event on Sydney Harbour between October 3 and 10.

"It is highly likely that Harry will be in Sydney although no details have been firmed up,'' a source said.

The International Fleet Review will mark the 100th anniversary of the arrival in Sydney of the brand new seven-ship Royal Australian Navy fleet led by the flagship HMAS Australia in October 1913.

The centenary will be officially celebrated on October 5 with a royal review by the prince of 21 RAN vessels and 19 overseas warships as well as 16 tall ships that will sail into the harbour on October 3.

Each warship will formally salute the HMAS Sydney memorial on Bradleys Head as they enter the harbour on October 4.

Prince Harry stands in front of an Apache Helicopter a few days after the royal, a trainee Apache helicopter pilot, passed the half-decade milestone to become a captain. Source: Getty Images

The review will also feature fly-pasts by 37 types of military and civilian aircraft ranging from helicopters to Hornet jet fighters.

Palace sources remain tight-lipped about any trip to Australia.

A spokesman for Kensington Palace, Prince Harry's official mouthpiece, said it simply was not currently in a position to comment.

"Announcements of overseas visits by members of the Royal Family are made in due course after an official invitation is received,'' the spokesman said.

Prince Harry visits The Royal Marines Tamar on August 2, 2013. Picture: Getty  Source: Getty Images

On the question of whether his current girlfriend Cressida Bonas was also planning to visit Sydney at the same time, the spokesman said that was a matter for her, but there were no plans for her to accompany Prince Harry on any trip whether domestic or overseas.

Royal commentators scoffed at rumours that a royal would ever take a girlfriend on an overseas trip, as completely contrary to all protocols for any official royal or government official.

The centrepiece of the International Fleet review will be a fireworks and light show spectacular focused on the Harbour Bridge and Sydney Opera House on the evening of Saturday October 5.

For the first time Australia's fireworks capital will see pyrotechnics launched from the decks of navy warships.

A fleet of eight tall ships took sail on Port Phillip Bay participating in events leading up to International Fleet Day in Sydney next month. Source: News Limited

This will signal the start of the biggest party seen in Sydney since the Bicentenary with 8000 cashed up sailors and tens of thousands of revellers set to spend up to $100 million during the week-long celebration that will cost taxpayers about $6 million to stage.

A projection show will be seen on both sides of the Opera House sails, the eastern side of the Harbour Bridge pylons and the roof of the Australian National Maritime Museum in Darling Harbour.

Britain's Prince Harry. Picture: Source: AP

Prince Harry or Captain Wales, 30, is a British Army helicopter pilot and Afghanistan war veteran and has visited Australia once before - in 2003, when he spent most of his time working on a Queensland sheep station.

The NSW Government has been lobbying hard for his possible visit to be turned into a full-blown Royal tour, but that is unlikely given his heavy work commitments. - See more at: http://royalsvisitaustralia.blogspot.com.au/2013/09/prince-harrys-hats-off-three-cheers.html#sthash.DjWTNe9y.dpuf