Yunbenun (Magnetic Island)
Drop Bears
Jan Hynes
'Drop Bears are mythological creatures (as is the bunyip) which have become part of Australian bush legend.'
Stories of drop bears are rampant around campfires at night and create fear in unsuspecting tourists and urban folk. Larger than koalas, drop bears live in trees and drop on unsuspecting victims walking below, possibly causing injury, yet no deaths have been reported. The Australian marsupial the koala is commonly seen in gum trees along the Forts Walk. While many people walk the track to see the concrete remains of World War 2 battlements, sighting koalas along the way is a big attraction.
Beyond this amusing banter of Drop Bears is the knowledge that unless we preserve the natural habitat of koalas, there will be no koalas. All we will have left is the myth of the Drop Bears.
Feature Image/Video Credits: Aaron Ashleigh.
About the Artist
Drop Bears is a collaborative work by artist sisters, Jan Hynes of Townsville and Robyn Bogdanis from Perth.
The sisters grew up in a family where creativity was encouraged and art materials were at hand to explore their talents. More importantly they were given permission to make a mess, something which was not permitted in many families in those days.
Jan went on to study art at QCA in Brisbane, majoring in painting. Further studies continued at JCU in Townsville culminating in a Master of Creative Art. In more recent years Jan’s concepts in art have been expressed by making 3D objects mainly from re-used timber.
On the other side of Australia in 2005 Robyn achieved an Advanced Diploma of Art and Design majoring in sculpture. A solo exhibition Windfall was shown at Heathcote in 2008. A year later her collaborative work Red List was part of Sculpture by the Sea at Cottesloe. Robyn has participated in numerous group exhibitions in WA.
Event Information
Location Details
Featured in the Magnetic Island Fort Walk, a very popular track to spot natural wildlife on the island.
Venue Accessibility
You will be able to view this installation whilst walking through the Magnetic Island Forts Walk.
If you are traveling from Townsville, please note there is free street parking near the SeaLink Ferry terminal. Once you have made it to Magnetic Island, the best method of transport is to take the buss or alternatively you can rent a car. There is also free street parking near the Forts Walk.
As advised by the Queensland Government, this walking track is suitable for most ages and fitness levels. The track has slight short steep hill sections and a rough surface to walk. Whilst walking through the site, there will be visual indicators of where a Drop Bear might be camouflaged into the natural environment. This won't always be the case, so stay alert.
This venue’s conditions include:
- Nearby accessible parking.
- Nearby accessible public transport (bus stations).
- Nearby street drop-off points.
- Not wheelchair accessible.
- Signage indicating it is a PUNQ program.
- Venue is close to accessible public bathroom facilities that offer wider doors, adequate floor space to move around in the bathroom, and fixtures designed for comfort including hand railings and low-effort tap handles.
- Quiet spaces available for participants, this location will have ambient or no music playing.
- Stay on marked trails and formed roads to prevent damage to native vegetation, the spread of weed seeds and erosion.
- Keep tracks in good condition and limit erosion by not riding during or immediately after wet weather.
- Rubbish facilities are not provided in the park. Please take all your rubbish with you.
- This is not a pet friendly location. Domestic animals are not permitted in the park.
- Please do not disturb the wild animals of this location and do not feed them.
Pricing
This is a free and on-going event during the festival.
