Page 28 - Port Douglas Magazine 30

traditional owners, other organisations, of having a responsibility to do something
and scientists around the world will great is catching on. He says: “Every
ensure the world benefits from everything visitor to the reef comes back as a guardian
that is be catalogued and made available. of the reef. We have two million visitors to
And all this is being planned, originated the Reef every year and we need them all
and implemented from Port Douglas to go back to their homes and become an
GBR Legacy already has an innovative exponential eco warrior, having a positive
approach to education. Dr Dean is very influence on those around them and
aware that often education, even for explaining to their friends and family that
a subject this important, can go over with simple actions we have the ability to
the head of its intended audience. He effect great change on our environment.”
is determined to ensure that the next The GBR Legacy 5-year program is to have
generation of students is attracted to every one of the 800 hard corals protected
learning about the Great Barrier Reef and in the living coral Biobank, being kept
what can be done to protect it. alive and thriving. To have Port Douglas
Dr Dean travels with a virtual reality as the physical institute of innovation
presentation that has been created to help with expertise for all and any to tap into
students and visitors understand why ensures we are doing the right things for
the coral is so important to the survival this environment. That is an ambition
of the environment without a yawn of from which Dr Dean and his team will not
boredom in sight. Putting on a virtual be diverted. That is, to set a benchmark
reality headset you see a display of how for how communities can come together
the reef is intrinsically linked to the to overcome climate problems with a
rainforest and how the chain of species positive by product to generate a thriving
interacts to create an inter-dependent tourist market that attracts tourism from
underwater environment. When you see every part of the world for both the Great
a scuba diver take off their mask after Barrier Reef and the Daintree Rainforest
their first dive on the reef, that is the same and River. Not a bad plan hey?
look you see after people take their mask This positive position strengthens the
off after experiencing this virtual reality promotion of tourism. This honest
presentation. This 360-degree technology approach to where we are at all times
is fascinating and being immersed in this with the Reef, whether good or bad,
breathtaking underwater world is just like attracts interest and support from visitors
the real thing … without getting wet! who take back accurate information and
Dr Dean Miller admits that the early years continue to support the generation and
were extremely tough but by staying regeneration of this wonder of the living
independent they have managed to avoid world. “Every visitor to the
any of the political wrangling. They And in 10 year’s time? “Well having just
have stayed focussed on what is needed had our first child, Isla, now six months reef comes back as a
to be done without having to worry old, this reinforces everything we are
about convincing people of its virtues or currently doing for the next generation.
asking permission to take action although I want to go scuba diving with her on a guardian of the reef.
sometimes they have operated close to that reef in good health, a reef that is set up and
edge. He believed they could operate cost being protected to withstand any climate We have two million
effectively because of their independence, changes,” Dr Dean says.
not looking for a profit or unnecessary Climate change, climate crisis, climate
personal kudos. But now all that work is disaster … call it what you like but without visitors to the Reef
coming to fruition. Even governments are the expert determination brought by Dr
now following similar practices with their Dean Miller, John and Linda Rumney every year and we need
programs! and their amazing team at GBR Legacy,
Funding, of course, is still a hurdle. and acknowledging that we all have a them all to go back to
GBR Legacy is still dependent on public responsibility to do something great to
funding. Private philanthropists are very support their programs, we can all work
generous, even celebrities like superstar together to strengthen our community. their homes and become
pop group Midnight Oil and their The reef is simply too important to hope
Powderworkers fan club community are it will be OK. Like it or not, we now must an exponential eco
staunch supporters. intervene.
It seems the whole world is waking up to greatbarrierreeflegacy.org
the search for solutions. Dr Dean’s maxim warrior”