The Governor of New South Wales, His Excellency General The Honourable David Hurley AC DSC (Retired) and wife Mrs Linda Hurley visited the Sapphire Coast Marine Discovery Centre in Eden on Thursday to meet staff and volunteers and explore the new exhibit.
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Kerryn Wood, centre manager said, “SCMDC Staff and volunteers have been very excited since finding out the news we were having such uber VIP’s visit the centre."
"It was fabulous to show The Governor and Mrs Hurley a snap shot of the excellent work that is being carried out here not only inside the centre, but also the programs being run to schools locally and away,” Ms Wood said.
To begin the tour, staff and volunteers of the marine centre showed their visitors the Octopod, the new interactive exhibit which simulates James Cameron's descent to the deepest part of the ocean floor, made specifically for children by volunteer David Finn.
Ms Wood and Jillian Riethmuller, education manager, conducted the majority of the tour, demonstrating extensive knowledge of local marine life and their habitats.
Board members John Aveyard, Stan Soroka and David Jesson along with staff member Tony Millo assisted with the tour to help inform the Governor and Mrs Hurley on the intricacies of the programs and functions of the centre.
The marine centre's volunteers, David Finn, Loraine Finn, Di Whittock, Paul Whittock, Martin Thomas, Alan Scrymgeouer and Anna Goldner manned each exhibit and were there to answer all of the Governor's questions.
Mrs Hurley especially loved the feeding of the fish, commentated by the very knowledgeable Jillian Riethmuller, with profiles of hermit crabs, snapper, zebra fish and red rock cod.
The Governor especially loved the man-made rockpool full of sea anemones and crabs.
The rock-pool provides opportunities for visitors to see crabs and urchins up close, and to hold them as advised by volunteers.
Upstairs of the centre is the craft room called the Octopus's Garden, which is full of marine crafts, such as sting ray puppets and woolen octopus.
Mrs Hurley, being a retired primary school teacher, loved her time in the Octopus's Garden chatting with Loraine Finn the craft volunteer.
The Governor and Mrs Hurley helped visiting children Cora and Isla McKervey from Cobar to examine different marine life under the microeye and then identify them on the big plasma screen.
Jo Dixon, protocol officer, said "His Excellency and Mrs Hurley love their visits to the Sapphire Coast Marine Discovery Centre."
"They really like to meet the staff and volunteers who make it all happen."
The Sapphire Coast Marine Discovery Centre is open Monday to Friday 10am - 3pm.
Click here for more on the Sapphire Coast Marine Discovery Centre
