Cartoonist supports quarry fundraiser
Tonimbuk resident and Herald Sun cartoonist Mark Knight will unveil and auction a limited edition watercolour cartoon print at a fundraiser for the Mount Cannibal and District Preservation Group next month.
The cartoon prints, which depict a range of Gippsland fauna in Mark’s signature style, will be available to be purchased both framed and unframed as part of a campaign to raise funds to assist the group in its bid to stop Hanson Construction Materials proposed Bunyip North quarry.
The prints are limited to 250 and will be individually signed and dated by Mark.
Proceeds from sales of the prints and event will go towards funding the fight against Hanson’s proposal.
The unveiling will be held on Saturday, September 1 at midday, in conjunction with the MCADPG at Tonimbuk winery Jinks Creek.
“When the group came to me and asked me to create something, the brief was broad. Knowing the Mount Cannibal area and its allure, I had many angles on which to approach a drawing that captured the natural beauty of the area,” Mark said.
“But living in this area, the thing that strikes me is the abundant native fauna and I love caricaturing Australian wildlife – kangaroos that exude charisma, the humour in cockatoos and the hilarity of the kookaburra – so they really become the focal point of my piece.
“I hope people will enjoy this collection of local wildlife partaking in their bush picnic, the same way that the thousands of visitors that visit the Mount Cannibal Reserve.”
In 2006, HCM entered the Bunyip North community under the name of JRH Pastoral. MCADPG secretary David Bywater said the company now owned more than 650 acres of land at Bunyip North and propose to construct a granite quarry within the green wedge.
“If approved, the quarry will extract up to two million tonnes of granite per year for 70 to 100 years.
“The proposed quarry will see an extra 500 truck movements on local roads daily, is roughly 350 metres from the state significant Mt Cannibal Reserve ad in some instances, is a mere 20 metres from long established homes and properties,” he said.
An environment effects statement being undertaken in relation to the proposed project was recently delayed by Hanson.
The fundraiser event will be held at Jinks Creek Winery at midday on September 1. The auction will be held at 2pm.