The Steve Irwin Mosaic Mural Tribute at Australia Zoo
Come to Australia Zoo with us! - October 2009!!!!
Sandy Robertson, the mosaic addicts Brisbane team, Mosaic Artists worldwide, Laticrete, Mini Movers and hundreds of mosaic enthusiasts worked together over 2 years of mosaic making and planning, to fabricate 10 magnificent mosaic panels. These panels were presented as a gift to Terri Irwin and Australia Zoo.
Visit Australia Zoo and see the murals on the wall near the Crocoseum - take your camera and video.

Mini Movers – Brisbane, turned one of their fabulous trucks into a mosaic version of Noah's Ark for a day and managed to transport the mosaic panels without a hint of hassle. Read the full story and see the photos of the day the mosaics were on the move!

Thank you Mini Movers for donating the truck, the strong men to the cause and for being so efficient - you certainly went more than the extra mile and we can't thank you enough for your generosity and extremely pleasant, courteous attention to every detail.

Those panels were huge and it all went like a dream! Sandy recommends Mini Movers to anyone who is considering moving a small box to a grande piano! The mosaic murals were the biggest test of packing and transportation - not a tile popped off and not a scratch.

Thanks for sorting out the method to transport and pack the murals, you saved the day! Also thanks to Mr Juicy, who had offered to transport the murals and suddenly, the schedules clashed, you really rose to the occasion too and I hope you and your family love the dragon fly Wendy made in your honour - it looks great on the mural! Your kindness, consideration and support of the project was very much appreciated.

Read the full story in the Community Art section. We took hundreds of photos of the making of the mural, recorded video snippets -most very amusing (especially Dr Des!) but also very informative.

Many contributors to the mural project, l filled in questionnaires which make very interesting reading. Huge thanks go to Jan Abbotts who spent hours typing all the data for me. Jan also generously contributed many platters of lamingtons!

You will be inspired by:

· fabulous art - from beginners to professionals

· amazing techniques and materials

· the love, laughterand tears that make the mosaic project so special

· the amount of chocolate and pink champagne that we managed to consume!

· how many people cared to much

· the story of Laticrete and their support of the project

· the story of Mini Movers – how Sandy found them!

· lots of other special mosaic moments

· the incredible possibilities - how people who meet online can make a mosaic mural
together!

· the joy of mosaics

· networking of mosaic addicts in the mosaic addicts group

· children making mosaics

· craft fair fund raising days - the money in the dunny and the crocodile murals

· how Sandy wants to raise money to Save the Koala!

· what you can do with Thinset!!!!!

· how to make flowers out of china and wine bottles

· how black grout Simply Rules

· by Crikey Mate we did it!

· how many people supported us

· the great back up from Courier Mail, South-East Advertiser, Brisbane Image Magazine,
Reed - the fabulous stands at the Craft Show for the lastyears

· how the community loves mosaics!

· generosity that comes when you least expect it

· how much we admire and respect Terri Irwin & Australia Zoo, for all they do!

· what you can do when you are determined to make a dream come true!

· how you never tire of making mosaics

Thanks must to go Shirley (my mosaicking mum!), Shirley (Polly from the Trolley), Maureen (Popette), Dave (LSH), Wendy (Mentor and most generous soul), Jan (Lamington Lady), Dr Des (shaper and body parts), Annie (Amazing Annie), John (LSH), Rebecca (Grid Woman!), Chris & Rachel (Snake charmers), Julie (Who never gave up!), Margaret (Detailer), Janis (Cup Cake Queen) and hundreds of others who propped us up, cheered us on, fed us, watered us, assisted us at all times and encouraged us....you know who you are - we could not have done it without you.

What can I say, but Laticrete you have products that are supreme (I am addicted to thinset!) as well as the friendliest, most helpful team in the world of concrete! Thank you from the bottom of our mosaic hearts. Your support throughout the project enabled us to make more mosaics - you kept up our energy levels with your interest and keen attitude.