Move over Stuart, a new bird has commandeered Kororoit Creek. And she’s bigger, stronger and an Australian native.
Friends of Kororoit Creek (FOKC) president Jessica Gerger and her daughter Georgia have built a giant egret from used milk cartons and gaffer tape.
And while she may resemble ‘Stuart’, a white domesticated duck often spotted in Buckingham Reserve’s creek, Ms Gerger says she’s been modelled on one of Australia’s most elegant birds, the eastern great egret.
The bird, who Georgia has named The Love Angel, took her maiden voyage recently to test her buoyancy. The journey was deemed a success and The Love Angel will now be used to collect rubbish from the banks of the creek.
A video about a boat made from washed-up plastic bottles in India was the inspiration behind the project.
“My husband, daughter and I went down to Michel’s Patisserie and Muffin Break at Sunshine Marketplace and asked them if they’d donate their bottles … and within about a week and a half we had about 400,” Ms Gerger said.
The FOKC has adopted the bird as their mascot and she is expected to make an appearance at all FOKC events.
