The biggest and best Moreton Bay Research Station’s Open Day to date was attended by more than 2000 people.
Visitors included both Stradbroke Island locals and a large number from the greater Brisbane area.
Fresh and salt water turtles were the theme for UQ Turtle Fest, celebrating the 2006 Year of the Turtle.
“The community feedback has been fantastic – and all very positive,” the event organiser and station education officer, Dr Kathy Townsend said.
“This one event has increased the community awareness of the plight of Australia`s turtles and the research that is being conducted.”
Highlights included turtle specimens from the Queensland Museum, a live reptile show from Cool Companions and an underwater link to a diver in the turtle tank at Reef HQ up in Townsville.
Another popular activity was the marine mystery quiz where those with most right answers received a goodie bag full of prizes.
“I brought my grandchildren along and we ended up staying for hours, there was so much to do!” said North Stradbroke Island local Jan Connolly.
“They have already made me promise to bring them again next year.”
Corporate sponsors played a big role in this year’s event. Local company Consolidated Rutile Limited provided over $7000 worth of sponsorship for the day, which included paying for advertising, prizes and the Cool Companions and CSIRO Helix Club science shows.
Local sign writers Positive Signs donated “I Love Turtles” stickers and Independent Marine Biochemistry Research donated prizes. Vets from Underwater World and Australia Zoo donated their time to present the rehabilitation work they do with injured sea turtles.
Support did not stop with the corporate sponsors. Government agencies including the Environmental Protection Agency, Moreton Bay Marine Parks, Healthy Waterways, Australian Customs Service and the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority also played their part.
Local community and conservation groups taking part included the Indigenous art groups Salt Water Murri’s and Goenpul Bibonmari, the Australian Coral Reef Society, Wildcare Australia, Dunwich State School, Straddie Board Riders Club, Stradbroke Island Historical Museum and the Australian Marine Conservation Society.
“Everyone involved had one common goal, to raise the awareness of the plight of Australia’s turtles,” said Australian Marine Conservation Society’s National Project Officer Ingrid Neilson.
“It was beautiful to see and a joy to be involved in.”
UQ Turtle Fest would not have succeeded if it had not been for the hard work and dedication of the volunteers that came to help out for the event.
“We were overwhelmed by the commitment and quality of the volunteers we had this year,” said Moreton Bay Research Station manager Kevin Townsend.
“We had over 70 volunteers who came from every section of The University of Queensland, from first year students through to professors, and academics to administrators from both St Lucia and Gatton Campuses."
