THE Rotary Club of Cleveland has unveiled Roturtle, a community piece of art that pays tribute to the club's 50 years of community service.
Roturtle, created by local artist David Renn, and located in the new parklands at Cleveland Point, was unveiled on Sunday, May 13 by Redlands Mayor Karen Williams.
The Roturtle is a centrepiece of the parklands and was commissioned in 2011 as part of the club's 50th anniversary celebrations.
The Queensland Government's Regional Arts Development Fund, in partnership with the Redland City Council, provided funding for the project.
David Renn was commissioned with a brief to create an artistic object that was both visually pleasing but with a practical focus on development of children's outdoor activities while raising the awareness of a local marine animal.
Taking the form of the artist's interpretation of a turtle, the creation signifies the longevity and steady progress of Rotary in serving the humanitarian needs of the community not only in the Redlands but throughout the world.
Roturtle is constructed of reinforced fibreglass and decorated to produce a lifelike effect.
Incorporated in the sculpture is a time capsule comprising a number of essays entitled "Looking towards 2022 - my goals and vision of the future" created by high school students from Alexandra Hills and Cleveland state high schools.
These are complemented by similar contributions by current club president Ron Loney and local, state and federal government representatives, as well as the editor of The Redland Times and Bayside Bulletin.
The capsule will be opened and reviewed on February 3, 2022, to coincide with the club's 60th anniversary.
A committee of Rotarians will contact the students and community members involved and comparing those "visions'' with the reality of the time.
One of the project's supporters has been Dr Kathy Townsend, an education officer Moreton Bay Research Station on North Stradbroke Island who carries out research into turtles within the bay.
Redlands company Karreman Quarries, operated by Dick Karreman, became involved with the project with sponsorship.
This has enabled the Rotary Club of Cleveland to divert funds budgeted for Roturtle to other projects, such as the provision of urgently needed medical equipment to the children's Lamb Ward at Redlands Hospital.
Mr Loney said Roturtle was the culmination of the year-long anniversary celebrations for the club and provided a visible and lasting legacy to the Redland community.
