Cash splash to bring ocean treasures to the foreshore

An installation that will light up the Great Barrier Reef Festival has been given a major funding boost.

The Great Barrier Reef Festival was given a cash splash by the Federal Government this week. Pictured is Margie Murphy holding up her front page from when she was named Whitsunday Women in Business Community Champion, in 2015, for her services to the Great Barrier Reef Festival as chairwoman.

An installation set to bring underwater treasures above the surface has received a cash splash from the Federal Government.

The Immerse, The Whitsundays - The Heart of the Great Barrier Reef installation is set to be one of the centrepieces of the Great Barrier Reef Festival this year.

The installation will feature projections of reef-themed animations and upcycled plastic sculptures set to transform the fig tree on the Airlie Beach foreshore.

More stories

HOLIDAY HOPES: Tourism leaders say 2021 is looking strong

'FOOL': Cannonvale man slammed for 'gooey-looking' drug

NAMED: Drink and drug drivers sentenced in Bowen this week

Dawson MP George Christensen announced the installation would be given a $25,604 funding boost to help make the feature a reality as part of the Festivals Australia program.

"This will provide critical support for local artists and organisations involved in the installation," he said.

The project is one of 16 across Australia to receive a slice of more than $580,000 in funding.

Minister for Communications, Cyber Safety and the Arts Paul Fletcher said the grants were critical in supporting creative endeavours in regional and remote areas.

"We are excited to see funding flow to a diversity of projects, which will build the long-term sustainability of artists, organisations and communities," he said.

Originally published as