Big Games Fishing: 32 Waiting To Be Hooked

The Age

Thursday June 1, 2006

RACHEL KLEINMAN, CITY REPORTER

ONLY 40 Victorian councils have shown an interest in the Commonwealth Games' river fish.

This leaves 32 still in storage at Melbourne's Docklands. The State Government will appeal to businesses and potential private owners to apply for the remaining sculptures.

Sport and Recreation Minister Justin Madden will today announce the 40 councils that applied for one.

Melbourne Lord Mayor John So is set to get his wish - a marine sculpture permanently on the site of Melbourne's original fish market, by the Melbourne Aquarium.

But permanent homes for the others remain elusive. Some councils are worried about the creatures' fragility and possible high maintenance costs. "We are looking at other ways to serve up the fish," Mr Madden's spokesman, Brent Hooley, said.

"We are looking to other groups and organisations who were involved in the Games, such as sponsors and contractors."

Venues such as the MCG may be invited to adopt a fish for public display.

Mr Hooley said he still hoped to find owners for all the sculptures.

"Originally they were going to be scrapped after the Games, so it is good that at least 41 of them will be on display throughout the state," he said.

Each of the 72 fish, between six and eight metres long, represented a nation competing at the Games.

Australia was represented by a short-finned eel, native to the Yarra River.

The illuminated creatures lined the river during the Games, a spectacular addition to the opening ceremony.

© 2006 The Age

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