The search is over:
Found one cool cartoon character

Queensland Environment Minister Dean Wells today launched Surfrider Foundation’s new ‘cool cartoon character’ – a young surfer with style and grace with a message for the community Respect the Beach.

Sandy was the result of a nationwide competition and was selected from 136 entries. He will head a number of Surfrider’s upcoming Respect the Beach promotional campaigns, including a series of 10 cartoons made especially for television and an educational program for school children.

Sandy’s creator was Travis Murr, who has won a trip to Bali courtesy of Garuda Airlines and The Surf Travel Company.

In fact the search for Sandy was only possible thanks to the combined goodwill and creativity of several organisations in the community. Griffith University students pooled their time and resources to make a television advertisement that was aired around the nation free of charge by Network 10 and film director Edward M. Bradford is co-ordinating a team of animators to create a series of educational cartoons.

Surfrider’s Executive Director Greg Howell said the competition reflected the organisation’s commitment to clean seas, coastal education and conservation.

"Sandy will be easily recognised in the near future by people right around Australia,” he said. "Similar characters have been used to promote the Respect the Beach message for Surfrider branches in Europe and South America. We hope Sandy will earn the respect and recognition his counterparts have received overseas.”

For further details contact Surfrider Foundation's Executive Director Greg Howell on phone 5534 2855, fax 5534 2866 or by email. Queensland Environment Minister Dean Wells' office can be contacted on 07 3225 1800.