Bells welcome nesting turtles back to Bundaberg

Bells across Bundy means one thing: the turtles are back.

Church bells will sound across the region on Monday 30 October as the area celebrates the return of nesting turtles to Mon Repos.

Environment Minister Steven Miles said the annual event was based on an ancient Scottish tradition and announced the arrival of the first nesting marine turtles of the season.

“When the bells begin to ring across Bundaberg, coastal communities the locals know that the first turtle has been ashore at Mon Repos beach,” Mr Miles said.

“Staff at the Mon Repos turtle centre spotted the first nesting turtle for the season on 26 October 2017.

“This year we are celebrating 50 years of turtle research and conservation in Queensland, and Mon Repos has played a huge role in our half-a-century of efforts.”

Member for Bundaberg Leanne Donaldson said the traditional ringing of the bells alerted communities to the return of the fishing fleet.

“For Bundaberg, the ringing of these bells is a reminder of how crucial the region is to the conservation of endangered loggerhead turtles and acts as a reminder to the local community to Cut the Glow to help turtles go, by turning off lights and closing blinds at night,” she said.

“It is also a time for celebration, as the Bundaberg community understands what the turtles bring to the region as an eco-tourism attraction and global significance.

“Everyone, locals and visitors, are welcome to join QPWS to celebrate the pealing of the bells.”

Bundaberg’s Anglican Christ Church will ring its bells, with assistance from Junior Turtle Ranger students from St Luke’s Anglican School, from 10.30am.

Bells are also scheduled to peal at St Peter’s at Bargara, St John the Divine at Burnett Heads, and St Andrew’s and St John’s in Bundaberg.

They will be joined by a number of school children who will be dusting off the old school bell to join in the celebration.

Nightly Turtle Encounter tours to view turtle nesting and hatching occur between November and March.

Details are at http://www.nprsr.qld.gov.au/parks/mon-repos

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MGGEY4_8tLQ

http://www.nprsr.qld.gov.au/parks/mon-repos/cut-the-glow.html

ENDS

Media contact: Katharine Wright 0422 580 342