Artist Tara Lea: ocean life

TRAVELLERS arriving at a Queensland caravan park are now greeted with an imposing kaleidoscope of marine life.

Local artist Tara Lea has been hard at work recreating a colourful 7m underwater seascape to welcome tourists at the three-and-a-half star waterside Lighthouse Holiday Park in Burnett Heads near Bundaberg.

And her work, which seems to change mood according to the time of day, was recently unveiled at a special ceremony attended by parks guests, VIPs and local tourism officials.

Park manager Diane Brickell told Caravanning News: "I decided the picket fence near the park's entrance was not very interesting and thought a mural would look a lot more attractive."

So she contacted Tara who jumped at the chance to paint a special scene on the fence.

"I just asked for a water theme in keeping with the park's location ... but did request that it included a dolphin because I love them," Diane said. "I think Tara has done a wonderful job."

Thirty-year-old mother-of-four Tara said it took five months to complete the work. "Having four children takes up much of my time and I could really only spend one day a week on the painting," she explained.

Bundaberg Tourism manager Craig Hodges thought the mural would help the council-owned 54-site park's reputation and hoped it would become an "icon".

Park guests at the official unveiling	Diane (left) and groundsman husband Don with artist Tara

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