Ocean Care Day

12.02. 2009

The Ecosurf banner was also hoisted at the fifteenth Manly Ocean Care Day on 8 December. Robynne Millward, project officer at Manly Environment Centre, contributed this report. Robynne says Ocean Care days are enjoyed by young and old and have an important role to play in the community via the provision of information and raising of awareness of the environmental issues we all face today.

Ocean Care Day is an annual event on the first Sunday of December each year.

This year Manly Ocean Care Day celebrated the ‘International Year of the Reef’ – The Reef in our Backyard – that is, Cabbage Tree Bay, and like the ocean, this year we experienced the full gamut of weather conditions for Ocean Care Day.

Highlights of the day included the opening ceremony with Simon Reeve, from Channel 7’s Sunrise program, and special guest for the day, Valerie Taylor.

Valerie was recently awarded the Australian Geographic Society 2008 Award for Lifetime of Conservation for her work in Marine Conservation and she was ideally placed to provide a picture of what is under the water and how to protect it.

Following the official launch, young Ellis Cooper-Frater, recently recognised as a Coastal Ambassador by Coastcare, led the parade playing his bagpipes as children carried the ‘Life on the Edge: Discover your living beach’ banner (which was then hung from the South Steyne promenade wall). They were accompanied by the wonderful harmonius sounds of the Maori cultural group, Te Papa Wawata KeTi Moana.

Over 65 eco exhibitors stretched along the beachfront, from The Corso to Manly Surf Life Saving Club, where talks were held and and films screened. Speakers included photographer and film-maker George Evatt, maritime archaeologist Tim Smith and Chris Pash, author of ‘The Last Whale’.

The Australian Surf Museum displayed over 100 years of surfing history and in the Art Tent, twenty artists showed their interpretation of ocean/environment in their various mediums.

‘The Penguin Plaza’ at South Steyne Beach was  run by Penguin Warden Angelika Treichler, also recently nominated a Coastal Ambassador for her work with the Little Penguins. Angelika talked about the Little Penguin colonies around Manly.

The Entertainment Tent was always crowded and featured wonderful live music including Ami Williamson and Beatwood Mac. Keep an eye out for rising star Amalia Fitzgerald.
The day also featured lots of activities for children including the Zoomobile. Dave Baxter from Pro Dive revealed lots about underwater creatures such as the blue ringed octopus and at the Maori Pavilion children enjoyed drawing, face painting, song and dance.

All in all a splendid day so flip open that calendar and circle the date for next year’s Ocean Care Day on 6 December, 2009.

Further information visit www.mec.org.au