Press Centre

Media Release

15 April 2002

Victoria's Coastline History Showcased with Brushstrokes
www.artistsfootsteps.com

An historic wood engraving, 'Landing passengers at Wilsons Promontory c. 1884', of passengers being unloaded in a bucket from a tossing boat in a wild sea at Wilson's Promontory is just one of the images being released today at the Melbourne Aquarium on the Victorian Coastline.

Brushstrokes of the Coast, sponsored by the Victorian Coastal Council, is being released this morning as a prelude to the Victorian Coastal Awards and the Victorian Coastal Conference to promote the heritage and cultural importance of the coastline.

Ms Diane James, Chairman of the Victorian Coastal Council said, "The exhibition on the educational website 'In the Artist's Footsteps', places an important range of images and information about the Victorian Coastline at the fingertips of the community."

Ms James said, "The launch at the Melbourne Aquarium provides a unique situation where images of the past created from cliff tops, piers and beaches are being released in an underwater setting."

"A number of artists will celebrate the launch this morning by sketching the underwater environment."

Ms James said that the cultural links to the coastline of Victoria provided a special thread of involvement for the community through activities such as painting, drawing and photography.

"These links provide many opportunities to appreciate the natural beauty of the coast and the need to ensure its environmental sustainability."

"Cultural and heritage elements of the coast of Victoria also have a strong economic value providing the foundation for many tourism events such as festivals which generate significant economic benefit to coastal towns."

Mr Ron Smith from In the Artist's Footsteps said that the website is being released initially to schools in Victoria and local councils on the coast.

"We are encouraging schools to use the site as a resource and to create their own website of local coastal images and information," Mr Smith said.

Media Enquiries:
Diane James Chairman Victorian Coastal Council 0419 321 432
Ron Smith In the Artist's Footsteps (03) 9818 5700

Left: Arthur Streeton - Above Us The Great Grave Sky, 1890
Collection: National Gallery of Australia, Canberra.