General News
14 June, 2025
GBRMPA turns 50 years
THE 50th anniversary of the creation of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park is being marked with a series of events at Mission Beach.
Cassowary Coast Tourism’s Patrick Bluett said the GBR50 steering committee, a collaboration of local community groups, was excited to announce a series of events to be held in Mission Beach to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the handing down of the Marine Park Act on June 20, 1975.
“John Büsst of Mission Beach led the ‘Save-the-Reef’ campaign that ultimately guaranteed the passage of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Act,” Mr Bluett said.
Known to his enemies as ‘the bastard of Bingil Bay’, Mr Büsst, a Bendigo-born Melbourne bohemian artist, moved to tropical Bedarra Island in North Queensland and underwent an extraordinary transformation to become one of Australia’s most successful conservationists.
In the 1960s and early 70s he led campaigns to protect two of Australia’s most important and endangered environments – saving lowland rainforests from destruction and the Great Barrier Reef from reckless resource mining for oil, gas, cement and fertiliser.
“This Commonwealth Act passed through Parliament with the support of all parties and received Royal Assent on June 20, 1975,” Mr Bluett said.
“It established the statutory body, The Great Barrier Marine Park Authority, to protect the park,” he said.
The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (Reef Authority) is the Australian Government’s lead manager for protecting the environment, biodiversity and heritage values of the Reef. Its management actions are informed by the latest science and innovation and underpinned by 60,000 years of traditional knowledge.
“The collaborative aim of GBR50 is to facilitate inclusion, awareness and recognition of the historical connection with Mission Beach and community as the birthplace of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park.”
The events include:
Ninney Rise open day on Saturday, June 21, 11am-3pm at 405 Alexander Drive, Bingil Bay, with special guest speakers, historical displays, conservation information, music, community stalls, art displays, food and refreshments. Visit https://bit.ly/44h20dB:
Mission Arts, lot 1, MARCS Park, Cassowary Drive, Mission Beach, is hosting several events, including a new exhibition from local artists featuring reef and rainforest themes, ‘A Fever of Stingrays’ sculptures by fibre artists and community groups, ghost net workshop with the acclaimed Marion Gaemers, cardboard coral garden workshops for children and community groups. Visit: https://bit.ly/45aOyKe
Cassowary Coast Tourism’s GBR50 gala anniversary dinner is on Saturday, June 21, at Mission Beach Resort, lot 4 Wongaling Beach Road, Wongaling Beach, from 6.30pm-11pm. Dress code is colours of the coral, cost $106.14. Visit: https://bit.ly/3ZR5fqw
C4 – Community for Coastal Cassowary Conservation hands-on ‘Care for Country Day, Sunday, June 222, Clump Point 9am–12pm for a community beach clean-up. Visit: https://bit.ly/3Hx6NzP
