1300.1.55.001 - Statistics News NSW, Mar 2007  
ARCHIVED ISSUE Released at 11:30 AM (CANBERRA TIME) 29/03/2007   
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SUN, SAND SURF, ICE AND YEAR BOOKS

Around 100 invited guests enjoyed the magnificent views of Sydney's famous Bondi Beach as the 2007 Year Book Australia was launched at the North Bondi Surf Lifesaving Club on 24 January this year.

Each edition of the Year Book explores key themes relevant to the Australian community. The latest edition has joint themes of surf lifesaving and the history of Australians in the Antarctic.

These themes mark the Year of the Surf Lifesaver which recognises the centenary of surf lifesaving in Australia (2007) and the International Polar Year (2007-08).

The Year Book was unveiled to the public by the Governor-General of Australia, Major General Michael Jeffery. The Governor-General is also Chief Patron for the Year of the Surf Lifesaver.

In launching the Year Book, the Governor-General spoke of his involvement in the 2006 Census and congratulated the ABS on the Year Book.

"In August I was privileged to visit the ABS headquarters in Canberra as a prelude to this year's Census of Population and Housing. What a massive operation. And what a tribute to the Bureau that it was carried out with such thoroughness and efficiency," said the Governor-General.

"We are fortunate in Australia to have an organisation as professional as the ABS in furnishing both our decision makers and the wider enquiring public with relevant, accurate data," he said.

"So well done to the ABS and all involved in the completion of such a comprehensive and important publication."

With assistance from the lead surf lifesaver Michael "MJ" Bates the Governor-General unveiled the Year Book. In a tribute to the Year Book's contrasting topics, a copy was on display encased in an ice sculpture of a crashing wave.

In addition to the special themed chapters, the Year Book also contains a wide range of ABS and non-ABS information on the Australian community, economy and environment.

All content of the 2007 Year Book Australia is available free of charge from the ABS web site <www.abs.gov.au>. Hard copies of the Year Book can be purchased for $97 each, including postage and handling. For further information contact the National Information and Referral Service on 1300 135 070, email client.services@abs.gov.au.