Art mends ‘broken’ oceans

The event, titled ‘Broken Seas’, was curated by Mallacoota arts leader Don Ashby.

It was held as part of Mallacoota’s community arts program, Music Art and Drama at the Muddie (MAD at the Muddie), with support from the Mallacoota Chapter of Sea Shepherd, Mallacoota Community Precinct, Mallacoota Community Op Shop, Friends of Mallacoota and Earth Bins.  

Highlights of the event included the unveiling of eight ocean-themed murals created by talented artists from around the region and visitors, and marine debris displays at Lion’s Park.

The Mudbrick Pavilion hosted a screening of the recently released film ‘A Plastic Ocean’ which is touring nationally with the support of Sea Shepherd’s marine debris campaign.

The film was followed by a barbecue fundraiser for Mallacoota P-12 College’s music program which was supported by music from Mallacoota band ‘The Squeaky Wheels’.

Mr Ashby said the event was a collaborative effort by various groups who employed their enthusiasm for community arts in tackling the problem of rubbish in the ocean.

"Marine debris is a huge problem and it's about time we started to acknowledge the issue,” Mr Ashby said.

“We wanted to do it in a way that acknowledges the natural beauty of our oceans, hence the murals," he said.

Mallacoota Chapter of Sea Shepherd spokeswoman Julie Parker said ‘A Plastic Ocean’ was a “very confronting documentary”.

“It certainly makes us question our single-use plastic practices and explore alternatives, like bamboo straws, bamboo toothbrushes and timber picnic utensils," Ms Parker said. 

“We live with the misconception that plastic is bio-degradable – there is no such thing, plastic doesn't break down.

“It breaks up into millions of small particles called 'micro plastics' – once these particles enter the ocean they become 'rafts' for toxins and heavy metals and become part of the food chain.

“It's a pretty nasty business," she said.

The painted murals will be on display at various locations and events around Mallacoota as part of the ongoing campaign.

Mr Ashby and his supporters hope that the weekend’s activities have helped people become more aware of the issues that the oceans face when it comes to single-use plastic consumables.

The Mallacoota Chapter of Sea Shepherd continue to do beach and ocean cleans in the area.

All rubbish is sorted and logged on an Australian data base with the charity Tangaroa Blue, whose network of volunteers, communities, organisations and agencies monitor the impacts of marine debris.

As well as the screening of 'A Plastic Ocean', the Mallacoota Sea Shepherd Chapter ran a merchandise/awareness stall at the town’s Easter Market and a Bigger than a Blue Whale Garage Sale. 

The weekend’s takings amounted to $4770.70 – which Ms Parker described as “totally awesome”.

All funds raised go toward Sea Shepherd Australia Ocean conservation projects.