6|
Cairns Local News
NEWS
Friday November 6, 2020
A Very Tropical Halloween
LISA CHRISTENSEN LAST Saturday night brought the ghouls and superheroes out in full force, in a series of organic community events across the suburbs of Cairns. Many Australians object to Halloween seeing it as an appropriation of an American tradition, however it is European in origin, from the pagan celebration of All Hallows night. Belief and myths of the supernatural kind are common to many cultures. Australian Indigenous history features mysticism and spooks with hairy men, quinkins and junjurries; lit- Maya Gofton, River Richardson, Lexi Dietrich, Zali tle mischievious spirits who Christensen, Keo Dietrich, Zephyr Knuckey-Jackman, Paige steal car keys and even Zinecki, Bre Capell, River Sartori and Willow Sartori thoughts. to individually act with. But as clearly seen on the changed weekend, there are many wrapped and some serving “We make our own trawho support Halloween, with these with tongs, and a plassome neighbourhoods now tic gloved Captain Jack Spar- dition around it and it’s not renowned in the community row even put on a sausage just about the lollies,” said for their enthusiasm. sizzle. mother and Day of the Dead “Redlynch was pretty In an age where fewer enthusiast, Bre Capell at OK good, but Edge Hill has got children are to be seen on Sushi in Edge Hill. “We get all great stuff!” said excited trick- the streets it is refreshing to dressed up and hit the streets or-treater Keo Dietrich, 12. see families walking around for an hour or so before finCOVID safety was no neighbourhoods, cheerfully ishing up here. The kids have chatting with neighbours they dampener on the enthusiasm, with sweet offerings might otherwise never inter- a ball and so do we.”
Concept design for the Living Coral Biobank on Wharf Street, Port Douglas.
Coral ‘ark’ for Port Douglas TANYA MURPHY PORT Douglas not-for-profit conservation group Great Barrier Reef Legacy is working with Traditional Owners, industry and corporate partners, research collaborators, government organisations and tourism operators, to establish the world’s first Living Coral Biobank. This ambitious project, to be located on land donated by the Douglas Shire on Wharf Street, will preserve the genetic biodiversity of hard coral species by collecting and maintaining living samples of some 800 species from all over the world. The 6,830 square metre, four-level design will also be a tourism attraction and education centre, including an auditorium, classrooms, and research and laboratory facilities allowing tourists, scientists and students to view, learn about and study the corals. The design promises to have zero carbon footprint, using only renewable energy sources and functioning with optimum efficiency.
To make your donation, visit any Council Customer Service Cetntre or call 1300 763 903. Direct deposit and credit card options available.
Designed by Australian firm Contreras Earl Architecture, who have ties to the region, along with leading engineering and sustainability consultants Arup, and Werner Sobek, the new building typology – a ‘living ark’ – will be the only dedicated facility of its kind in the world. Living Coral Biobank Project Director and Managing Director of Great Barrier Reef Legacy Dr Dean Miller said with climate change accelerating ocean warming, there was no time to lose in starting to collect specimens of each coral to preserve as ‘backups’ in case of wild coral species loss. “We’ve had three mass coral bleachings in the last five years, and we might have a big cyclone or more bleaching this summer. We are losing coral diversity every time those events occur, and the longer we wait, the more we risk losing,” he said. “The establishment of a living coral biobank does not detract from, but only highlights the urgent need to accelerate actions to reduce
the effects of climate change and to reduce local impacts on coral reefs. “However, the Living Coral Biobank complements these efforts, providing us with an insurance policy preserving the full biodiversity of corals forever, by taking advantage of corals’ natural ability to live for hundreds of years under the correct conditions.” Climate Council Chief Executive Officer Amanda McKenzie applauded the initiative. “The Biobank building will be of immense importance for coral conservation and the community of Port Douglas,” she said. “As an education, research and design experience, it will contribute to the town’s resilience, development and enhance its worldwide recognition as the gateway to the world’s ever-more precious resource that is the Great Barrier Reef.” For more on this exciting project visit www.coralbiobank.org
