Wulgurukaba elder Arthur Johnson has created a new public artwork for Magnetic Island. The turtle painting installation will be unveiled on Geoffrey Bay foreshore on Saturday 9 June at 2pm.

“The artwork is about linking turtle sustainability and care with protection of the sand dune environment in which turtles lay their eggs” said Michael Johnson, Wulgurukaba. “We are raising awareness about the importance of sand dunes and coastal ecosystems and letting people know that vehicles on dunes can damage the nesting environment.”

“A flatback turtle nest hatched at Geoffrey Bay in 2009” said Coastcare member Tony O’Malley. “Rainbow bee-eaters also burrow in the dunes, red-tailed black cockatoos feed on she-oak seeds, and coral and seagrass fringe the bay, so it’s a natural paradise we want to look after, and Arthur Johnson’s painting promotes that.”

Community volunteer group Geoffrey Bay Coastcare secured funding for the artwork by Traditional Owners through the Australian Government Caring For Our Country program.

For further information, please contact:WULGURUKABA ABORIGINAL CORPORATION
Michael Johnson, ph 4758 1071 or 0427 172 335, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

or

GEOFFREY BAY COASTCARE
Tony O’Malley, ph 0437 728 190, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it