Thursday 6 October 2005

‘Cowboys Reef’ was officially named today in recognition of the North Queensland Toyota Cowboys outstanding 2004 and 2005 seasons.

‘Cowboys Reef’ is the initiative of Member for Herbert, Peter Lindsay, after the team’s phenomenal 2004 season. ‘Cowboys Reef’ will be depicted on all Great Barrier Reef Marine Park zoning maps in the future.

The Chairman of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, Virginia Chadwick and Member for Herbert, Peter Lindsay, announced that a reef located off Townsville, the North Queensland Cowboys home base, would now be known as ‘Cowboys Reef’.

“We are absolutely delighted to be able to recognise the magnificent efforts of the Cowboys over the last two years with the naming of a reef in their honour,” Ms Chadwick said.

“When Peter Lindsay suggested the idea we got 100 percent behind the initiative. After the Cowboys sensational 2005 season it seems particularly fitting that we can now announce ‘Cowboys Reef’.”

Member for Herbert, Peter Lindsay, said he was thrilled a piece of the Great Barrier Reef was named after North Queensland’s own Cowboys.

“Our community is just so proud of the team and how well they have done over the last two years and I think it is a fitting tribute to have a reef named ‘Cowboys’,” Mr Lindsay said.

‘Cowboys Reef’ is located off the coast of Townsville, south of Myrmidon Reef and close to Davies Reef.

Mrs Chadwick said naming a reef is a complex exercise, involving a range of people and organisations.

“Our priority was ensuring we found the closest, unnamed reef to the Cowboys Townsville home base, where the team has such a huge supporter base,” she said.