By Kirsty Ross
VICTORIAN Premier Steve Bracks beat the crowds to the opening of the Maribyrnong Aquatic Centre on Sunday, visiting early last week instead.
During the visit, the member for Williamstown joined Maribyrnong City Council mayor Janet Rice and deputy mayor Michael Clarke in making the new fish on the block welcome at its new aquatic home.
The large specimen, known as a Forcepsfish, was made famous when it appeared in the 2006 Commonwealth Games opening ceremony during a water spectacular on the Yarra River.
The council originally asked for the Hilsa Shad fish – which represented Maribyrnong’s adopted country of Bangladesh throughout the Commonwealth Games.
But when council officers went to check it last week, they found the Hilsa Shad was too big and posed safety risks. They therefore opted for the island nation of Tuvalu’s fish instead.
Forty-one of the 72 decorative fish used at the games will adorn aquatic centres, seaside towns, recreational sites and markets all over Victoria.
