Page 5 - Best Of Local Mag Apr24 Edition

Turtles are listed as a threatened species and single use plastics bags, using a box for fresh produce and using paper bags for
are also a major hazard for the Moreton Bay turtle family. mushrooms etc. (instead of buying them pre-packaged in plastic
containers), not buying individual single use water bottles, etc.
To bring greater awareness to this issue,
Rotary Redcliffe Sunrise and ESRAG Moreton I sincerely hope that the project will educate people, inspiring
them to be more mindful about rubbish in their neighbourhood
Bay are hosting a Family Turtle Expo Day on – and rather than walk past it, pick it up and bin it!!!”
Saturday 20th April from 10am on site at
Queens Beach North, Scarborough. Environmental Science experts will be there to discuss the
habitat and the threatened species status of turtles around the
Vivien Harris and Karen Catterall, both ESRAG (Environmental Peninsula.
Sustainability Rotary Action Group) members, were inspired by
the Australian based artist Marina DeBris, whose work is focused Bribie Island Turtle Trackers will encourage the children to
on using trash in her art, to raise awareness of ocean and beach understand the hatchling process from the nest.
pollution and she will regularly collect trash from the beach.
Book authors will discuss and promote their turtle stories as well
Vivien says “Hopefully seeing turtle art constructed from plastic as children’s activities and the lucky event draw will take place at
debris collected on our local beaches will be confronting, and 1pm, drawn by Redcliffe MP Yvette Dath.
inspire the public to be more conscious of their role in minimising
plastic pollution in Moreton Bay & the ocean.” Brad Sleurink – Redcliffe Sunrise Rotary Club President said,
“Knowing more about the habitat of turtles that nest on our
At the event, we will have supporting information on the amount beaches is a good thing for future generations”.
of plastics & microplastics in the Moreton Bay, it will be a wakeup
call regarding the potential serious health impacts on humans Div 6 Cr Karl Winchester said about the planned event, “I am
and marine life.” proud to support the Family Turtle Expo Day. I encourage
everyone to come along to this event and see first-hand what
Karen Catterall says, “Hopefully this event will help people these volunteers and our community are fighting so hard to
become more thoughtful and considerate of their actions, protect.”
prompting them to buy/use less plastic - eg recyclable shopping

April 2024 www.bestoflocal.com.au 5