One of the 72 water creatures to feature in the Yarra River for the Games.
Melbourne’s iconic Yarra River will be the centrepiece of a spectacular addition to the Opening Ceremony, when for the first time the Ceremony will flow out of the stadium and onto the streets.
The Yarra will join in with the 71 Commonwealth nations celebrating the Ceremony on 15 March with a breathtaking River Event featuring water creatures representing each nation of the Commonwealth.
The Commonwealth Games Minister Justin Madden said the River Event would run at the same time as the Opening Ceremony.
“For the first time, we are going to extend the Ceremony beyond the borders of the stadium,” he said. “And without giving too much away, colour, light and sound will literally spill out across the city.”
The creatures will be anchored to 36 pontoons along the river between the Princes and Swan Street bridges.
Melbourne’s Lord Mayor John So said extending the Ceremony outside the Melbourne Cricket Ground would showcase Melbourne to a world audience.
“Melburnians love the Yarra, and we look forward to showing off our waterfront city to a global television audience of more than 1.5 billion,” he said. “Whether we’re within the MCG, on the banks of the Yarra or at a Live Site in the city, March 15 will live long in our memories.”
Ceremonies executive producer Andrew Walsh said each creature had been verified by the Commonwealth Games Federation representatives of each nation, and the Melbourne Museum’s Senior Curator of Ichthyology, Dr Martin Gomon, had also authenticated the display.
Games Chairman Ronald Walker said the water creatures all had significance to the region they represented – whether they were edible fish, native to that region or of cultural importance.
“These water creatures give the public a glimpse into what is going to be the most fantastic Opening Ceremony ever staged,” Mr Walker said. “Melbourne is one of the few cities in the world with a meandering river that is so picturesque connecting to a skyline of city. The River Event will bring the Yarra to life like it’s never been seen before.”
The Australian Government is proudly providing $50 million to fund the Opening and Closing Ceremonies to help recruit, train and deliver the talent needed to provide the creative face of the Games.
River Event creative director Keith Tucker said the 72 creatures had been designed and built in Melbourne by design studio Mothers Art.
“A team of more than 30 designers, artists and fabricators have been working on this element of the project for almost a year since the initial concept in March 2005,” Mr Tucker said.
“The water creatures can be animated with over 360 high-tech moving lights, and 180 sprays and plumes of water – making an illuminated fountain spanning more than 800m down the centre of the river.
Games organisers say the best vantage points to view the Opening Ceremony celebrations will be on the South side of the river, and a 10 minute version of the show will be repeated nightly every hour from 8pm – 11pm during the Games.
The excitement and drama of Opening Ceremony itself will take place inside the Melbourne Cricket Ground on 15 March.
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