: News Article

TAFE delivers for Waterboy

01/07/2003

‘Water Boy is alive’, sighed Barrier Reef TAFE Student Virginia Beckers on confirmation that Waterboy will be officially launched at the Thuringowa River Festival later this month.

Virgina and fellow second year art student, Julie Holthuisen, were assigned the job of creating Waterboy from scratch as part of their ‘Design Solutions’ course.

And a job is exactly what it was.
They had to interview the client to determine exactly what was wanted. Then they presented options and went through a number of redrafts to meet exacting standards.

They then had to research the materials to ensure the costume stood up to the test. The costume had to be light enough to wear wet and tough enough to get through a fight with Queen Cabomba.

The powerful North Queensland sun was a big factor in the design, said Virginia.

"To guard against fading we had the fabric printed in heating process available only in Sydney, she said.

"We had 8.7 meters of material that had to be cut and stitched exactly. There was no room for error."

"The planning took months and in the end we had only weeks to put it together. We lived and breathed Waterboy for that whole time. I am excited now that Waterboy is going to meet his public."

The Barrier Reef TAFE students are encouraged to become involved in developing concepts with business. Among other projects, the arts students have decorated parts of The Strand, including the electricity boxes.

Their teacher, Barbara Cheshire, said the exercise was an important part of the learning process.

"Barrier Reef TAFE is a training institution and this is part of teaching the students to be professional", Barbara said. "Commercial art is a profession, not a hobby.

"There were a number of challenges associated with the project not least of which was the design. It had to be universally accepted but especially appealing to young people. I am happy with the end result and proud of Virginia and Julie.

NQ Water Chief Executive Office Ken Diehm stressed that Waterboy was a community asset.

"This is very much a partnership between the water agencies in Townsville including Citiwater and Thuringowa Water and the community," Mr Diehm said.

"Waterboy has to appeal to everyone, particularly youth. It is very important that we educate the next generation of water users on conservation, so they develop habits they take through the rest of their lives."

Waterboy’s star is rising. He is included in the Hero’s Parade in September which is part of the Townsville Centenary Celebrations.

NQ Water is also supporting La Luna Theatre in a grant application for a play featuring Waterboy, which will tour schools with a conservation message.

© 2004 NQ Water