It’s there every day and very much a part of life in Geraldton. But what do we really know about the Indian Ocean and its incredible biodiversity?
To celebrate International Year of Biodiversity and Sea Week, the WA Museum – Geraldton will be diving into a program of activities aimed at putting the spotlight on the unique marine environment of the Mid West.
Sea Week will kick off on March 2, with the launch of Mini Muses and the adventures of Wendy the Whiting.
This new program at the Museum is guaranteed fun for children aged five years and under, and their carers.
Children will join Wendy and her friends in some creative play, song and dance, craft and games, while learning more about the sea life in the shallow sandy waters of the Geraldton beaches.
The Harry Butler In the Wild West Lecture Series continues when Shirley Slack-Smith, Curator of Molluscs from the WA Museum as she presents two lectures.
Ms Slack-Smith’s lecture Seashells of Western Australia celebrates the diversity, resourcefulness and resilience of one of Western Australia's most popular and diverse groups of marine animals.
In her second presentation Ms Slack-Smith will discuss and explore the marine creatures of the Houtman Abrolhos and why they are so different from those off the nearby Geraldton coast.
The Museum will also screen a fascinating documentary about the tropical waters off the WA coast. Going with the Flow – Tracking the Leeuwin Current reveals how the biodiversity of our WA marine environment owes much of its existence to this unusual and unique current.
Throughout Sea Week, the Museum staff will present short talks about the marine creatures in the aquarium and discuss their feeding habits and food preferences, while feeding the fish daily at 11.45am.
Sea Week will also herald the launch of a new education program at the WA Museum – Geraldton. The Sustainable Seas program is designed to support local schools planning International Year of Biodiversity activities.
The program will cover the Leeuwin Current and its importance to the biodiversity of the region. Students will recognise possible threats to the ocean and the measures in place to safeguard against them.
The stunning ANZANG Nature Photography exhibition also opens on Thursday 25 February and runs until mid April. The exhibition includes exquisite photographs of the unique natural heritage of the bio regions of Australia, New Zealand, Antarctica and New Guinea, including a range of underwater, threatened species and animal behaviour images.
For information on all of the Museum’s Sea Week activities call +61 [0]8 9921 5080 or go to www.muesum.wa.gov.au/museums/geraldton
The Museum is open daily 9:30am – 4:30pm, excluding Wednesdays. Bookings are essential for the lectures, screening and Mini Muses program +61 [0]8 9921 5080.
WHEN: 1 – 9 March 2010 and beyond
WHERE: WA Museum – Geraldton, 1 Museum Place, Batavia Coast Marina.
PROGRAM DETAILS:
Mini Muses – Wendy the Whiting
Tuesdays March 2 & 9, 10.00am
Seashells of WA – lecture by Shirley Slack-Smith
Thursday March 4, 5.30pm
Life along the Leeuwin current – lecture by Shirley Slack-Smith
Friday March 5, 10.00am
Film screening – Going with the flow – tracking the Leeuwin current
Sunday March 7, 2.00pm
Fish feeding
Daily, March 1 – 9, 11.45am
ANZANG Nature Photography exhibition
Daily, February 25 – April 18
Sustainable seas school program
Available throughout the year
BOOKINGS: Essential on +61 [0]8 9921 5080.
Programs are subject to availability. All children 12 years and under must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
Media contact:
Renae Woodhams
Manager, Media and Communications
Tel: +61[0]8 9212 3860
Mob: 0439 948 779
Catherine Belcher
Regional Manager, Geraldton
Tel: +61[0]8 9921 5080
