Information courtesy of Moreton Bay Regional Council
Moreton Bay Regional Council has teamed up with local children’s entertainers Larrikin Puppets to potentially create the world’s first puppet made entirely from electronic waste.
Mayor Peter Flannery said Council’s $2,000 Regional Art Development Fund (RADF) Continue Creating grant, which opens again from 1 September, helped bring puppet ‘Lovelace’ to life – named after the world’s first computer programmer Ada Lovelace.
“Most parents know that Muppets, puppets and just about any cute or whacky characters are an instant hit with the kids, so it’s great to be able to contribute to a unique slice of children’s entertainment history right here in Moreton Bay,” he said.
“This grant not only supported an entrepreneurial local business to expand their profile, but it will also go a long way to teaching children about responsible waste disposal.
“Larrikin Puppets is a homegrown, feel-good business that brings joy to many children in South East Queensland and hopefully now they can spread the word about ewaste.
“Art has the power to lift us up when we need a boost, make us cry when we least expect it and hopefully make us think about issues big and small.
“COVID has been particularly hard on the arts industry so it’s great to be able to support it through the RADF grants program, the Moreton Bay Region Art Prize, and just this year we invested $20 million into libraries, arts, community facilities and history.”
Larrikin Puppets artistic director Elissa Jenkins said she was inspired to create the unique puppet after learning some troubling facts about ewaste.
“When it comes to materials that make up IT equipment, they break down rather than decompose,” she said.
“This means that, over time, the material just splits apart into smaller and smaller pieces. None of the components are “living things”, so they never actually become one with the dirt.
“So the key is making sure e-waste doesn’t end up in the natural environment, including landfill, in the first place.
“We now have plans to use the puppet as a creative launchpad to discuss issues around sustainability, design and technology at our public puppet shows, but also across school curriculums: STEM, Sustainability and The Arts.”
Find out more about disposing of ewaste on Council’s website: https://www.moretonbay.qld.gov.au/Services/Waste-Recycling/Disposal/eWaste
Visit Council’s website to see if you’re eligible for a RADF grant: https://www.moretonbay.qld.gov.au/Services/Community-Support/Grants-and-Funding/Regional-Arts-Development-Fund