Wulgurukaba turtle art unveiling at Geoffrey Bay

“Wulgurukaba elder Arthur Johnson 
with turtle art for Geoffrey Bay” 
Photograph by Vandhana

Wulgurukaba Aboriginal Corporation and Geoffrey Bay Coastcare
invite you to the unveiling of Wulgurukaba Turtle Art on Geoffrey Bay foreshore, Arcadia, Magnetic Island on Saturday 9th June at 2pm.

This new public artwork for Magnetic Island has been created by Wulgurukaba elder Arthur Johnson of Nelly Bay.

“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.”

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

“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.”

For further information, please contact:

WULGURUKABA ABORIGINAL CORPORATION 

Michael Johnson, ph 4758 1071 or 0427 172 335,
wulgurukaba@bigpond.com

or

GEOFFREY BAY COASTCARE 

Tony O’Malley, ph 0437 728 190, 
anthonyomswim@hotmail.com