We all remember Ernie from Sesame Street’s bath time song about his beloved duckie… well the rubber duck is back in a BIG WAY!
Surprising, whimsical and a whole lot of fun for no apparent reason!
Florentijn Hofman’s “Rubber Duck” knows no frontiers, it doesn’t discriminate ,and doesn’t have a political connotation. The friendly, floating Rubber Duck has healing properties: it can relieve mondial tensions as well as define them. The rubber duck is soft, friendly and suitable for all ages!
It’s appeared in Sydney, Kaoshiung, Osaka, Hasselt, St. Nazaire, Onomichi, Auckland and Sao Paulo. The Red Hill Gallery director Margaret Campbell-Ryder saw it first hand in Hong Kong while attending Art Basel.
The Great Brisbane Duck Race Brisbane – Supporting the Duck to Stop Cancer
On Sunday 20th October 2013, 40,000 rubber ducks will flock to the shores of the Brisbane River to take their place on the starting line in the race that quacks the Nation.
The Great Brisbane Duck Race is the PA Research Foundation’s signature FUNdraising event for Cancer Research. The Foundation funds world class research into deadly and debilitating disease at the home of the discovery to the world’s first cancer vaccine. The PA Campus is one of the most energetic research precincts in the nation. With the opening of the Translational Research Institute, up to 1300 researchers call PA home. Together, these researchers will investigate disease prevention, early detection, treatment and cures. Be a part of the next great medical breakthrough.
Jason Castle works for the PA Research Foundation and is the Duck chaperone while she is on the river. We had the chance to ask him a few questions about his time with her.
AC: What is your involvement with the Duck race and how long have you been running the race that stops a city…..river?
JC: I am the Fundraising and Events Co-ordinator and have been in this position for 2 years now.
AC: How important is this type of fundraising to the PA Research Foundation?
JC: The money goes toward developing better treatments and finding more vaccines for Cancer, which affects every single one of us. The PA Foundation are all about saving lives and creating a healthy world for all.
AC: She definitely has a feel-good quality about her, making people smile when they see her floating down the Brisbane River. What is the symbolism of the duck?
JC: The duck traditionally is a symbol of fun and play. They are swimming in water, which symbolises cleansing and purifying. Its a symbol of innocence that holds no negative associations, making us all smile! 🙂
AC: This years fundraising has been even more successful than last year, so far. What do you attribute that to?
JC: The duck has been out on the River raising money, as well as awareness, for 7 years on our River, and there is much more publicity and media build up now. That helps with getting the people interested. Also, our corporate sponsors love the Great Brisbane Duck Race and represent a good amount of the money raised.
AC: Where does she go when the race is over and all the ducks have been put away for another year? Do you take her home with you? Are there tears when you say goodbye?
JC: No! I don’t take her home with me, and no, there are no tears. Ha! She is tucked away safely at the PA Hospital ’til next years great Duck Race.
AC: Word on the street is that you play wicked guitar, would you like to give your band a plug? When and where is the next gig?
JC: We are The Empresarios and there will be a whole lotta house-shakin’ going down on November 2nd at Leftys Old Time Music Hall. Great music and venue!’
Celebrate cancer research at the Great Brisbane Duck Race Festival Sunday 20th October! For loads of family fun, live entertainment, licenced area, rides and more food stalls than even before. Riverside Drive, West End.
Get QUACKING for Cancer Research! Be a part of bringing amazing cancer research discoveries to life, to help change the lives of people and their families battling cancer.
Get involved: duckrace.gofundraise.com.au
Like the Facebook page: www.facebook.com/greatbrisbaneduckrace
