Blue Mountains. Sheik calls off resort opening

The official opening of the $125 million Wogan Valley Resort and Spa, in the Blue Mountains, has been cancelled because of the debt crisis in Dubai. Sheik Ahmed bin Saeedal-Maktoum was to arrive this weekend to open the luxury five-star resort owned by the Middle Eastern airline, Emirates, of which he is the chairman The opening has been postponed until early next year. The resort opened two months ago, said The Australian Financial Review.

North Ryde. Uni students win scholarships

Three Macquarie University students have been offered prestigious scholarships in the inaugural Prime Minister's Australia Asia Endeavour Awards for outstanding students. Postgraduate students Sevan Thomassian and Lesley Branagan, and undergraduate student Shaun Star, have all been offered scholarships as part of the scheme, which provides a unique opportunity for students to undertake international study and research, and gain international experience through an internship.

Doonside. Featherdale wins tourism award

Featherdale Wildlife Park, at Doonside, won the Gold Award for NSW’s Major Tourist Attraction, in the 2009 NSW Tourism Awards. Almost 150 finalists across 30 categories competed in this year’s awards.