Coffs Harbour’s Dolphin Marine Conservation Park supported by Government aid

The very essence of the conservation work by the park was at-risk if support wasn’t in place. Here’s how the park is being saved.

Dolphin Marine Conservation Park Life Sciences manager Tiga Cross with 170kg Australian Sea Lion, Ozzie. Photo: Gail Adamson.

Coffs Harbour’s iconic Dolphin Marine Conservation Park has revealed it would have had to scrap its animal rescue service over the past two Covid-cruelled years without government support.

“Like many organisations, the last couple of years have been incredibly challenging,” park managing director Terry Goodall said.

“Without support from the government, we could not have continued our critical marine animal rescue and rehabilitation work, or continued to maintain the animals in our care.”

Meanwhile, the park has appealed to Coffs Harbour residents to visit over summer - promising much has changed.

“If people haven’t visited in a while, they’ll be amazed how much has been improved,” Mr Goodall said.

“We hope they’ll value our strengthened focus on marine animal conservation and education.”

One of the innovations has seen the creation of a new Dreamtime presentation at the park, narrated by local Gumbaynggirr man Troy Robinson.

This tells the story of how three young boys were transformed into dolphins - Yuugirr.

The boys stayed out too late playing in the ocean - Gaagal - and didn’t come home when their elders called them.

The elders realised what had happened when they saw the dolphins slapping the water with their tails. The local Gumbaynggirr people hit the water, in the same way, to attract and herd mullet - Buluungul - to feed their mob.

“It’s important to stress that all income supports the vital work of our charitable foundation, Dolphin Marine Rescue, in the rescue, rehabilitation and release of sick and injured marine wildlife along the Coffs Coast,” Mr Goodall said.

You can find out more about the park’s school holiday program here.