Anthony Callea and Wolf Blass to spearhead 2012 National Multicultural Festival

Award-winning singer Anthony Callea and leading wine industry figure Wolf Blass lead the list of big names in the 2012 National Multicultural Festival, ACT Minister for Multicultural Affairs Joy Burch announced today.

Mr Callea has been revealed as the headline act for next February's event while Mr Blass is the Face of the Festival.

"Wolf Blass is an excellent example of the contribution migrants have made to our country and our communities, so he is a great ambassador for the 2012 Festival," Ms Burch said.

"From his early years in Germany during World War Two to his emigration to Australia in 1961 and establishment of his successful wine business, Mr Blass has always shown how beneficial multicultural communities can be."

Ms Burch said Mr Callea was also a fine example of Australia's cultural diversity.

"With his Italian background he perfectly encapsulates the energy and multicultural tones of the National Multicultural Festival. To have a person of the international stature of Wolf Blass agreeing to be the Face of the Festival is an immense coup for the ACT."

The National Multicultural Festival will be held in Canberra City from 10-12 February. For the latest news on Festival events, performers, food and fun, visit multiculturalfestival.com.au, follow it on Twitter (@multi_festival) or see its Facebook page.

Ms Burch made the announcements last night at a gala dinner for the 2011 ACT Multicultural Awards. Among the winners were Ms Chin Wong, named outstanding volunteer, and Ms Sele Taufa, named Multicultural Advocate of the Year.

Fyshwick Fresh Food Market won the 2011 Wolf Blass Multicultural Award for Private Enterprise while Housing ACT was winner of the Multicultural Award for Public Sector.