Five members of the internationally renowned Australian Firefighters Calendar team landed in Hong Kong on Tuesday for a special press conference and charity engagement, combining their muscular appeal with a message of dedicated animal conservation.

The group—including firefighters Ben Wallace, Alex Eldridge, Aaron Ficheroux, David Moore, and Kane Crellin—participated in a launch event to promote their globally successful annual calendar, which raises significant funds for various animal welfare initiatives. Local celebrity Kian Sze was invited as the special guest, sharing playful and enthusiastic interactions with the visiting heroes.

A Powerful Partnership for Pet Adoption

During the media interaction, the atmosphere was lighthearted, culminating in the firefighters spontaneously lifting Sze for an impromptu photo, much to the delight of the crowd. Sze, an avid dog owner herself, initially expressed surprise but quickly praised their strength and reassuring presence.

“It was momentarily a shock, and I worried I was too heavy,” Sze recounted after the event, “but they were genuinely strong; being lifted felt easy and incredibly safe. They are truly dedicated,” she added. Beyond their widely recognised physique, Sze highlighted their charm and commitment to public service, describing the group as “stylish, caring, and very humorous.”

The primary focus of the calendar’s global tour is to spotlight the critical need for animal rescue and conservation efforts. The funds generated worldwide support organisations working on wildlife protection and crucial domestic pet welfare programs.

Sze shared a personal connection to the cause, mentioning her four-year-old Poodle, whom she considers an essential part of her life. This companionship fuels her belief in adoption over purchase, a core ethos advocated by many of the calendar’s beneficiaries.

“My little dog is my treasure and a crucial companion,” Sze noted. “The concept of choosing adoption instead of buying pets is profoundly important and meaningful. I will always prioritize adoption if I bring another pet into my home.”

More Than Just a Calendar

The Australian Firefighters Calendar, which originated in 1993, has become one of the world’s most famous charity calendars, raising over $3.4 million for various charities. Their efforts demonstrate the powerful impact public figures can have when leveraging their platform for social good.

While raising funds globally, the team consistently uses their high-profile events to educate the public on responsible pet ownership, wildlife habitat preservation, and the invaluable work of animal shelters. Their presence in Hong Kong reinforces a message familiar to many high-density urban areas: animal welfare is a critical community responsibility.

The firefighters’ tour serves as an engaging way to bring serious conservation topics to a wider, often celebrity-driven, audience. Their commitment confirms that genuine passion for social good, coupled with strategic public engagement, can create enduring change. The campaign continues to encourage sustainable fundraising models benefiting both endangered species and community-based pet adoption programs globally.

HONG KONG, November 18, 2023 – Hong Kong’s television elite, including veteran host Bob Lam Shing-bun and actress Katy Kung, gathered today for the official launch ceremony of the highly anticipated annual TV anniversary gala, A Thousand Stars Shine Brilliantly on Anniversary. The event, which brings together nearly a hundred artists, marked the first official appearance for the hosting lineup, which notably includes newcomers Yvaine Chan and Hera Chan, alongside the seasoned Lam and Kung, setting the stage for one of the industry’s most significant celebratory productions.

The star-studded cast assembled to kick off preparations for the marquee television event. During the ceremony, Bob Lam offered a moment of heartfelt support for his co-host, Yvaine Chan, acknowledging her rapid professional growth. Lam commended Chan’s transition from beauty pageant contestant to hostess, noting her overall excellent performance.

Addressing a recent instance where Chan faced pressure during a variety show, Lam emphasized the difficulty of hosting major live events solo. His supportive words visibly moved Chan, who emotionally shared that Lam was the first person to send her a message of comfort following that challenging broadcast. Confident in her upcoming performance at the anniversary gala, Chan also addressed swirling media speculation regarding her purported relationship with actor Stanley Lo. When asked about Lo’s public rating of 300 points for her, she replied glowingly, “Did he say that? It’s nice that he thinks so; he clearly has good taste.”

Veteran Host Lam Discusses Matchmaking Efforts

Beyond his hosting duties, Lam also touched upon personal matters, specifically his attempts at matchmaking, joking about a recent anecdote shared by singer Joey Yung. Lam lightheartedly explained that he often attempts to connect his good friends, including Yung, with suitable partners.

“I try to introduce excellent individuals to my friends—the guys I suggest are definitely of ‘300-point’ quality,” Lam quipped. “However, I understand that beauty is in the eye of the beholder.” He shared a humorous exchange where he sent potential matches to a friend, only to have them rejected. “She sometimes insists on seeing photos first,” he explained, adding that sometimes the response is simply, ‘Are you kidding me?’ He speculated that his own appearance might influence some rejections: “Perhaps they want someone with more hair. I’ll make sure to find candidates with thick hair next time.”

Katy Kung and Hera Chan Tackle Hosting Debut

For TV Queen Katy Kung, hosting the anniversary gala represents a significant career milestone. She described the opportunity as “unlocking an achievement.” Having recently dipped her toes into live reporting for the news program Scoop, Kung expressed confidence in her ability to manage the role, noting that the hosting duties are divided among the large group.

Similarly, actress Hera Chan is making her debut as a gala host. She candidly admitted to feeling nervous during rehearsals, confessing that she initially struggled to grasp the rhythm compared to her more experienced co-hosts. However, she noted that she is actively learning from their techniques backstage. Both Kung and Chan assured fans that despite the celebratory nature of the event, their attire for the hosting segments would prioritize elegance over revealing styles.

The high-profile anniversary gala is set to be one of the network’s most watched broadcasts of the year, commemorating decades of television production and celebrating the talent across the entertainment industry. The mix of established and emerging talent promises a dynamic and memorable spectacle.

Acclaimed actress and television personality Wong Tsi-yu inaugurated the 30th annual Conservation Day celebrations at a prominent Hong Kong theme park today, lending her voice and status as Preservation Ambassador. Ms. Wong used the platform to share personal anecdotes about raising her young son amid nature and promoting environmental stewardship, while also briefly reflecting on recent personal and professional developments, including filming a new travel program with her husband, actor Edwin Siu.

Nurturing the Next Generation of Nature Lovers

Serving as the face of the anniversary event, Wong Tsi-yu recounted a recent family visit where her eight-month-old son, affectionately nicknamed “Siu Ha-ha,” displayed visible excitement interacting with animals through the glass exhibits. This early exposure, she explained, is intentional.

The actress revealed that her own childhood aspirations centered on becoming a marine biologist, a dream that saw her select science and biology subjects in secondary school before veering into entertainment. Though she didn’t achieve her initial career goal, Ms. Wong is committed to ensuring her son enjoys close contact with wildlife and the natural world from a young age.

“We recently introduced Siu Ha-ha to giant pandas and penguins,” she shared. “He showed no fear; instead, he eagerly reached out, trying to touch them.”

She expressed her strong desire to encourage her son to pursue future work related to animal protection or conservation, stressing the vital need for dedicated environmental advocates.

Domestic Dynamics: Jealous Pets and Broken Glass

Beyond the conservation message, the actress offered a candid glimpse into her family life, particularly the emerging, often humorous, friction between her son and the family dog. Ms. Wong recalled that the pet, originally very attached to her husband, Edwin Siu, appears to be experiencing jealousy following the baby’s arrival.

She provided an amusing example: “The dog felt neglected, and once, when Edwin was holding the baby, it demonstratively turned its back, facing away from everyone as a silent protest.” Attempts by the baby to physically interact with the pet have also met resistance, primarily the dog hiding under the sofa. “It seems my son is still in a phase of unrequited love with the dog,” she joked, highlighting the common adjustment period pets face when a new baby enters the home.

Professionally, Ms. Wong confirmed that she and Mr. Siu recently completed their first joint project as a married couple: filming a mainland Chinese travel variety show focused on introducing highland cultures. She noted that the filming provided a rare opportunity for quality time, given the challenges of maintaining private “couple time” since becoming parents.

However, the collaboration was juxtaposed with a recent domestic incident that drew playful criticism from her husband. Ms. Wong recounted a chaotic moment when her son accidentally knocked down a Christmas tree ornament, scattering glass shards. Mr. Siu cut his foot attempting to navigate the broken debris.

“I prioritized grabbing the baby and ensuring he was safe first, and then told Edwin to handle the cut himself,” she confessed. “He later complained I was not gentle enough and perhaps a little too blunt in my response.” She acknowledged that long-term relationships can occasionally lead to taking partners for granted, pledging to self-reflect and “relearn” sensitivity in their communication following the incident.

In solemn reflection, Ms. Wong and Mr. Siu were among those who attended the funeral of renowned veteran actor Benz Hui earlier this week. She said the event prompted an outpouring of cherished memories, which she will keep close to her heart. Furthermore, she expressed enjoyment at the broadcast reruns of her popular drama, Line Walker: The Prelude, recalling the happy moments spent filming the series.

The actress’s multifaceted appearance underscored the intersection of environmental advocacy, family life, and public visibility, urging the public to consider their role in protecting wildlife while navigating the complexities of modern parenthood.