|
On Saturday 21 June, the Friends of Ninney Rise (FoNR) Community Open Day brought together over 400 visitors to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Act.. The event was filled with colour, music, community pride, and a shared commitment to protecting our beautiful natural environment. The day opened with the ‘Cacophonous Curlews’ choir singing Mission Beach Naturally – A Magic Place, a song written and recorded by Mission Beach State School students in 2018; setting the perfect tone for the celebration.
|
|
FoNR president Terry Carmichael, introduced guest speakers from GBRMPA, WTMA, QPWS, Girringun TUMRA, and Reef Ecologic, each sharing insights into the ongoing efforts to protect the Great Barrier Reef and our surrounding rainforests.
|
Wet Tropics Management Authority Executive Director Scott Bucannon
|
Special guests historian Iain McCalman and artist Kirsten Wehner were a highlight in conversation about the life and legacy of John Busst.
|
|
Twenty-four community groups set up marquees around the lawns, offering a wide variety of displays and activities. Visitors enjoyed an art workshop led by renowned Townsville artist Marion Gaemers at the Mission Arts marquee where local artists also displayed their work; the Girringun Traditional Owners celebrated the 20th anniversary of their TUMRA (Traditional Use of Marine Resources Agreement) and visitors could choose which of several screen prints they would like on a tote bag at the Cassowary Coast Regional Council display. Several stalls provided information on the reef and rainforest and current local conservation efforts.
|
|
The Mission Beach Scouts provided a sausage sizzle while the Rainforest School’s vegetarian curries were very popular.
FoNR volunteers created a welcoming café space on the verandah where people relaxed and enjoyed the atmosphere of the celebration.
FoNR volunteers created a welcoming café space on the verandah where people relaxed and enjoyed the atmosphere of the celebration.
|
|
Artist Michael Daly captured the sprit of the celebration
|
The Johnstone River Ukulele group finished off with some cruisy tunes fitting for the whole vibe of the day.
|
|
|
The ABC Back Roads team captured the energy and stories from the community on film, with an episode featuring Mission Beach expected to air early next year.
.
The Open Day was part of a series of weekend events under the GBR50 banner, including a reception on Dunk Island, a Gala Dinner at the Mission Beach Resort, and a Sunday morning Clump Point fish trap clean-up, organised by Cassowary Coast Regional Council and Tangaroa Blue Foundation.
The whole weekend was a seemly tribute to the community spirit and conservation legacy that continues to shape Mission Beach, inspired by John Busst’s remarkable work.
Photos: Trudy Tschui; Jeff Larson and Liz Gallie
The whole weekend was a seemly tribute to the community spirit and conservation legacy that continues to shape Mission Beach, inspired by John Busst’s remarkable work.
Photos: Trudy Tschui; Jeff Larson and Liz Gallie
John Busst with poet Judith Wright -photo: Virginia Edlington collection
|
John Busst at Ninney Rise - photo; Virginia Edlington collection
John Busst with ecologist Len Webb - photo Virginia Edlington collection
|