Generation June 2014 edition
Transcription
Generation June 2014 edition
WWW.ZOO.ORG.AU TOGETHER WE CAN FIGHT EXTINCTION. generation. WINTER 2014 | #5 THE MERRIN FOUNDATION ON THE WINGS OF PHILANTHROPY HUGO WEAVING ON HEALING A PASSION FOR GIVING A LONG ROAD TO RECOVERY supporters.. PHILANTHROPIC SUPPORTERS PLATINUM SUPPORTERS – 150 CLUB CORPORATE PARTNERS Friends of the Zoos Ltd The Trust Company Limited as trustee for the Elizabeth Gabler Charitable Trust The Ian Potter Foundation Cliff and Jane Gale The Yulgilbar Foundation James and Marged Goode PLATINUM PARTNER Alexander Gosling SILVER SUPPORTERS – 150 CLUB Jenny Gray Bamford Family Foundation The Hamilton Family Bowness Family Foundation Dale and Ian Johnson The William Buckland Foundation, managed by ANZ Trustees Mazda Foundation HGK Foundation, managed by ANZ Trustees Christine Milton Tina McMeckan IOOF Foundation Jacqueline Moth The Robert and Mem Kirby Foundation and Village Roadshow The Myer Foundation Lord Mayor’s Charitable Foundation Diana Ruzzene-Grollo and Rino Grollo Merrin Foundation The Trust Company Sid and Fiona Myer Family Foundation Sunraysia Foundation University of Tasmania Foundation – Save the Tasmanian Devil Appeal Vizard Family Foundation Stephen Walmsley BRONZE PARTNER Alex, Heloise and Jake Waislitz Nicholas Whitby Cookers Bulk Oil System Albert George & Nancy Caroline Youngman Trust as administered by Equity Trustees ESTATES Valerie Newman Estate of Elaine Anderson BRONZE SUPPORTERS – 150 CLUB Estate of Faye Atkins In loving memory of Margaret Bray SILVER PARTNER Aussie Recycling Program Jetpets Mailguard Mattioli Bros SUPPORTERS City of Whittlesea CSL Limited Estate of Gloria Cooper Melbourne Veterinary Specialist Centre John Cochrane Estate of Kevin Cowell VISY Jane and Andrew Fairley Estate of Christopher Ellis Wyndham City Council Hermon Slade Foundation Estate of Margaret Godbold John T Reid Charitable Trusts Estate of Mary Griffith Portland House Foundation Estate of Heather Hardy Snowy Nominees Pty Ltd In memory of John Graham Wilfred Head OAM The Merle Carrol Assistance Fund, managed by Perpetual SUPPORTERS – 150 CLUB Andrew and Shadda Abercrombie Venise Alstergren Ken and Joy Barassi B M Investments Miche Bonett-Horton Vicki Callanan Joseph Cappadonna Collier Charitable Fund Andrew Darbyshire AM Dr Simon Edelstein 2 GOLD PARTNER Estate of Mildred Heilman Estate of Dorothea Hill Estate of Winifred Mackenzie Estate of Audrey Mason Estate of Ernest Pallot Estate of Shirley Poole Estate of Anne Elizabeth Raymond Estate of Raymond Reynolds Estate of Muriel Ryan Peter and Barbara Shearer Zoos Victoria is a Not-For-Profit organisation and has a deductible gift recipient status (DGR) for each of our three properties. All donations over $2 are tax deductable. WINTER 2014 | #5 foreword. generation. INSIDE THIS ISSUE 2 Our Supporters 3 Foreword 4 ANZ’s Trail of the Elephants celebrates its 11th anniversary PASSIONATE PEOPLE W elcome to our latest issue of Generation magazine. This is a particularly exciting issue focusing on philanthropy and some of our very dedicated supporters and the projects they’re involved in here at Zoos Victoria. We had the pleasure of meeting with Genevieve Timmons, from Portland House Foundation and Philanthropy Australia who tells us about how she became involved in philanthropy and her drivers behind engaged philanthropy and being a supporter of Zoos Victoria. In the last issue of Generation magazine I spoke about my new role on the Zoos Victoria Foundation Board and welcomed you to meet with me. I have had the privilege over the past three months to meet a few of our wonderful donors and supporters (that’s you). Meeting you has given me a great insight into why you support Zoos Victoria, our wildlife conservation goals and how we can develop a relationship with you that truly adds value to what we both hope to achieve from our partnerships. Once again, I hope you enjoy reading Generation and we welcome your feedback on any of the articles included in this issue. AN EXCITING EAR elcome to this 5th edition of W Generation – I do hope that you are enjoying the stories we are sharing. In this issue you’ll read about the wonderful work of the AGL Marine Response Unit rescuing entangled marine animals. Over the coming months we will share with you our unique strategy to raise the profile of the needs of threatened wildlife in Victoria. Sadly, our unique native animals are often overlooked for support so it is wonderful to be able to share the story of the Merrin Foundation and their support for breeding and release of our Victorian bird emblem, the Helmeted Honeyeater, less than 150 of which are just surviving in a tiny pocket of wild Victoria. Thank you for continuing your support for Zoos Victoria and our wonderful native and international animals. We could not do this work without you. 4 Positive reults for AGL Marine Response Unit 5 Mali wins again! 5 The power of Healing 6 The Merrin Foundation On the wings of philanthropy 8 A passion for giving 9 A long road to recovery 10 You’re invited to our Australian Journey 11 Does your business have a heart? 11 Zoos Victoria’s Leadership 12 Priority Projects Zoos Victoria Foundation is an integrated division of Zoos Victoria, raising much needed funds to support our conservation programs and projects. OUR TEAM Executive Director Foundation Pamela Sutton-Legaud [email protected] Pamela Sutton Legaud Executive Director, Zoos Victoria Foundation Kind regards Fundraising Manager Shelley Charlesworth [email protected] Grants Manager Rachel Smith [email protected] Philanthropy Manager Julia White [email protected] Sponsorship Manager Laura Hillis [email protected] Sonia Kent Chair, Zoos Victoria Foundation Board Zoos Victoria ABN 96 913 959 053 PO Box 74 Parkville VIC 3052 Visit: www.zoo.org.au Email: [email protected] Phone: 03 9340 2770 Fax: 03 9340 2796 Cover photo: Trent Browning ZOOS VICTORIA IS A NOT-FOR-PROFIT CONSERVATION ORGANISATION, WHERE WE INSPIRE ACTION AND AFFECT BEHAVIOUR CHANGE BY CONNECTING OUR VISITORS WITH AMAZING ANIMALS AND EXPERIENCES. If you would like to discuss any issues from this edition of Generation please contact the Foundation team on the details above. 3 news. ANZ’S TRAIL OF THE ELEPHANTS CELEBRATES ITS 11TH ANNIVERSARY Melbourne Zoo’s Trail of the Elephants is supported by our Gold Partner ANZ and in March celebrated its 11th Anniversary coinciding with Thailand’s National Elephant Day. T hai Consul Dr. Simon Wallace along with Melbourne Zoo Director Kevin Tanner and Senior Executives from ANZ attended the celebrations. The ceremony saw monks from local Thai Buddhist monasteries blessing the elephant herd and their home as well as a blessing dance performed by Thai dancers. ANZ have been the naming rights partner of Trail of the Elephants since 2011 and in addition to this sponsorship have hosted a number of events at Melbourne Zoo during the year. Later in the year Melbourne Zoo will also host the second ANZ Zoo Month to take place in September! POSITIVE RESULTS FOR AGL MARINE RESPONSE UNIT Five Victorian seals are alive today thanks to the efforts of the AGL Marine Response Unit. B ringing together keeper and veterinarians from Melbourne Zoo, the AGL Marine Response Unit responded to over 200 calls for assistance involving seals, dolphins, turtles and other marine wildlife in Victorian waters since its launch. The AGL Marine Response Unit Coordinator, Mark Keenan described the achievement as a fantastic result for Victoria’s marine wildlife. “To be able to respond to so many calls for assistance in the first few months is terrific. At times, animals come on shore to rest and we work with local community groups to keep an eye on them and ensure they return safely to the water. 4 “However, there are also cases involving entangled, sick or injured seals and while we were able to free five seals from entanglement, sadly not all could be saved,” Mr Keenan said. AGL Energy Pty. is a platinum partner of Zoos Victoria and the major supporter of the AGL Marine Response Unit. Without their support Zoos Victoria would not be able to respond to calls from the public about sick and injured marine wildlife. If you would like to know more about the AGL Marine Response Unit, or Corporate Sponsorship please contact Laura Hillis via email: [email protected] MALI WINS AGAIN! In our last issue, you may have read about Zoos Victoria’s Fundraising Institute of Australia (FIA) award nomination for Melbourne Zoo’s 150th Anniversary special project, Mali in the City. T W e’re extremely pleased to announce we were the proud recipient of not one but two awards at the FIA Gala Awards ceremony held at the National Gallery of Victoria in February! Not only did we take home top honours for The Best Special Project, we were also awarded the Principal Award for the Most Effective Creative Campaign, an award open to all national finalists. These awards only reiterate the success of the Mali in the City project. Thanks to all of our partners of Mali in the City and Melbourne Zoo’s 150th Anniversary celebrations – we could not have done this without you! THE POWER OF HEALING At the same time the Australian feature film, Healing is wowing audiences all over the country, Generation met up with the star of the film Hugo Weaving, to talk birds, his passion for the natural world and the power of film. T he film, partially shot at Healesville Sanctuary is based on a true story and is a powerful narrative of redemption, hope and the healing of the spirit. Weaving grew up in Kruger National Park outside Johannesburg. His experience here and the thrill of seeing so many animals roaming free over such a vast area has had quite an impact on him, “I have been passionately involved with nature and wildlife my whole life,” he said. “The knowledge that there are so few places where animals can still exist in parks like this, let alone in the wilderness, is depressing,” Weaving says. Hugo’s passion for freedom and the natural world links strongly to the themes in Healing, a story about prisoners working in a rehabilitation program with injured wildlife. In the film, Weaving plays Case Worker Matt Perry in charge of the unique program to rehabilitate broken men by giving them responsibility for the rehabilitation of injured raptors – beautiful, fearsome Hugo Weaving as Matt Perry and Jane Menelaus as Glynis, a Healesville Sanctuary Raptor expert, filming on the set at Healesville Sanctuary. proud eagles, falcons and owls. Working alongside a bird handler and some of the keepers at Healesville Sanctuary, Weaving had the chance to experience, up close, some of the most dangerous and enthralling native birds such as the Peregrine Falcon, the Kestrel and the Boobook Owl, which was his favourite. “The Boobook Owl will melt the hardest heart,” he said. And although he didn’t handle the Wedge-tailed Eagle, he was in awe of its power and his co-star, Don Hany’s ability to handle them so successfully. “It was the final day of the shoot and I had little to do, I took my place as one of the many enthralled spectators to watch the [Spirits of the Sky Presentation]. There was a thrilling frisson between our captive Wedge-Tailed Eagle Yasmine, and the local wild eagles observing from up on high... it was our one and only opportunity to capture a critical and climactic scene in the film; last day, fading light... it was a fantastic moment,” he recalls. Already a vocal advocate for wildlife and wild places, Weaving is actively involved with ACF, WWF, Greenpeace and The Wilderness Society and is currently an Ambassador for Voiceless, “I applaud any action taken to protect wildlife and wilderness,” he said. Combining his passion for film and wildlife, Weaving has one final hope for the movie, “Hopefully Healing will touch many people and generate an interest in Australian Raptors.” “If only one young viewer were to be captivated by Healing we might be able to inspire them to a lifetime of commitment to wildlife protection,” he said. For more information about the movie Healing, please head to zoo.org.au/news To make a donation to the Australian Wildlife Health Centre go to zoo.org.au/wildlife 5 partnerships. The Helmeted Honeyeater is Victoria’s only endemic bird, and was adopted as one of the state’s faunal emblems in 1971. Photo: Trent Browning 8 6 THE MERRIN FOUNDATION ON THE WINGS OF PHILANTHROPY The Merrin Foundation generously committed to a further three years of support for Zoos Victoria, helping to recover wild populations of the Helmeted Honeyeater. I n a time of increased sophistication in the philanthropic industry emerging over the past decade, no longer is it a case of a cheque in the post, but rather of strong relationships being developed over years of program development. The Merrin Foundation is a wonderful case study of Engaged Philanthropy. The Foundation was established in 2004, in honour of Charles Tegner’s late wife and since its inception Charles has been very involved. As with many family foundations, their funds are distributed to programs that resonate with the family; in particular homelessness, the environment and medical research. The Merrin Foundation has supported Zoos Victoria’s Helmeted Honeyeater recovery program since 2006, starting by providing a small grant for video cameras and recording equipment. Since then, the relationship has matured into an ongoing partnership, with annual meetings between the trustees and the team at Zoos Victoria, working hard to save this species. Trustees have visited the breeding facilities at Healesville Sanctuary and plan to join researchers when they next head out into remote bushland reserves to release some of our captivebred birds back into the wild. A greater degree of understanding of the problem has allowed Charles and his fellow trustees to decide how to focus their support and make a real, meaningful impact on the program. When it comes to deciding what to support, Charles believes, ‘you need to know what your passions are and to support the issues that are close to your heart.’ Whilst public acknowledgement is not a key driver for the Foundation, ‘in the memory of Merrin, it’s the knowledge that we can make a contribution to very needy causes.’ Charles said. At its heart, this is an example of the true value philanthropy can bring to one person, their family and to a community. This is a partnership that we can all be proud of. Next steps for the Helmeted Honeyeater: Pre-release training with the use of Goshawks to alert captive bred HeHos to the key threats that they will experience in the wild. This predator awareness training is hoped to increase the rate of post release survival and help promote population recovery. 7 To give away money is an easy matter, and in any man’s power. But to decide to whom to give it, and how large and when, and for what purpose and how, is neither in every man’s power-nor an easy matter. Hence it is that such excellence is rare, praiseworthy and noble. Genevieve Timmons, Portland House Foundation ARISTOTLE A PASSION FOR GIVING A passion for giving can take many forms and can be driven by a range of factors. G eneration met with the esteemed Genevieve Timmons, Philanthropic Executive with the Portland House Foundation, and recently appointed Council Member of Philanthropy Australia. Genevieve has over 30 years of experience in the philanthropic sector and is known by her peers for her professionalism and passion for her work. Portland House Foundation has been a long-time supporter of Zoos Victoria, most recently supporting our Youth at the Zoo membership program (YATZ) enabling a number of young people from Indigenous communities to take part in the program. Genevieve recalls that it was not immediately obvious why their Foundation would fund the work of the Zoo, because it is about animals. But then it became apparent that the Zoo is about people as much as animals. “It’s clear the Zoo’s programs can offer benefits for young people from all cultures and life experiences to be involved, and offer them a 8 creative opportunity to make a contribution while they are at the Zoo, learning and leading in the YATZ program. Our Foundation gives funding to ensure that young people can live a fulfilled life, learning and developing their talents. “From here, the partnership developed further, and Portland House is now honoured to be a valued supporter of the Zoos Victoria community,” she said. The Portland House Foundation practices engaged philanthropy, the notion of a real and ongoing connection between a donor and a cause, utilising more than just financial support to achieve a positive outcome. “Effective philanthropy requires listening and engagement with the grant recipient to fine-tune what the partnership needs and bring the program to life.” Growing up in a working class family with a strong social conscience, Genevieve was taught to share and be generous to others, especially people in need. “My parents taught us to look beyond our own interests to those of Students gather at the Youth at the Zoo (YATZ) camp. “You meet so many inspirational and creative people, who highlight the rewards of philanthropy. It is much more than just giving money.” others less fortunate. I am now able to do so in a professional capacity, investing social dollars from philanthropic donors.” What really excites Genevieve about philanthropy are the ‘wow moments’ when you suddenly start to see the benefits of philanthropic contribution. “You meet so many inspirational and creative people, who highlight the rewards of philanthropy. It is much more than just giving money.” In an illustrious career, Genevieve has had a remarkable impact on the giving industry with an impressive list of achievements and experience. Most recently she decided to put all of her learnings and advice into a 101 guide called Savvy Giving. “I’m often approached for guidance from grant seekers and funders alike and have delivered workshops to both groups. I had prepared a Toolkit for Grantmakers in New Zealand, and was then approached by the Australian Communities Foundation to create a similar resource for an Australian audience, which was the beginning of Savvy Giving,” she said. And some advice for our readers interested in giving? “Maintain a sense of curiosity, humility and willingness to learn. Conduct research to understand the areas you are interested in funding. Once you have a shortlist, put your feelers out, taking care not to raise expectations with grant seekers. Be discerning with the people you surround yourself with!” Savvy Giving can be purchased in bookshops or online at the Australian Communities Foundation website: communityfoundation.org.au appeal. HERE ARE JUST A FEW OTHER STORIES FROM THE FRONT-LINE: A LONG ROAD TO RECOVERY TAKING CARE OF TREVOR Trevor the Tawny Frogmouth, was admitted with a damaged wing and we now suspect is also blind. We have the ability to fix his wing, however if he is blind, his chances of release back into the wild are slim. We will commit to take on long-term care for him at Healesville to ensure he has the best possible quality of life. Every year over 1000 injured animals are treated at the Australian Wildlife Health Centre at Healesville Sanctuary. For many this is just the start of a long journey home… Y ou may have already received a letter in the mail about how we need your support to help raise $150,000 for the hospital’s great work treating injured wildlife. Meet Tinsel, a young wombat orphaned after his mother was killed in a road accident. Tinsel was rescued and is now being hand reared by our dedicated vet team at the Centre. She is just one of over 1,000 wildlife patients admitted to the Centre over the past twelve months in need of our assistance. The wildlife hospital doesn’t just treat wombats, the staff are busy treating all types of animals from turtles to owls and even kookaburras with all types of injuries, each requiring specialist care. TURTLE SURGERY This little turtle was found with two fish hooks embedded in its stomach. Removal of the hooks through surgery can be complicated and be resource intensive. Materials needed for surgery include bone grafting materials, bone cement, medications and general surgical materials and post-surgery rehabilitation can take from three to six months. The costs for providing surgery and rehabilitation for three months can cost a minimum of $1,200. Annually, the Australian Wildlife Health Centre costs around $850,000 to run. Your support of this Appeal will help to cover these costs, and ensure our vet team can continue to treat and care for injured wildlife through the coming winter. Healesville Sanctuary needs your help and making a donation at tax time is really easy! If you have not received your appeal letter, and would like to know more about supporting the Australian Wildlife Health Centre at Healesville Sanctuary, please contact us on (03) 9340 2770. Or go online to donate at zoo.org.au/wildlife AROUND THE CLOCK CARE In case you haven’t seen this gorgeous photo – here is Tinsel meeting Alinta, another orphaned baby wombat in our care. These babies require around the clock care for up to twelve months. Our staff will take home an injured wombat to care for and feed every three hours – every night for a year! Photos: Cormac Hanrahan 9 YOU’RE INVITED TO OUR AUSTRALIAN JOURNEY Native grasslands once occupied nearly one-third of Victoria but due to habitat destruction, less than 1% survives. T he Australian Journey, set off the banks of the Werribee River at the Werribee Open Range Zoo hopes to restore a small section of the Western Victorian grasslands and the native species that once lived there, with the exhibit soon to become home to three of Zoos Victoria’s priority threatened species. The exhibit features the beautiful Wirribi River Walking Trail and the restored Chirnside Shearing Shed and embodies important cultural heritage 10 with the area said to have been a meeting place between the Wathaurung, Wurundjeri and Boonerwrung nations. Extensive consultation has been made with Indigenous representatives to ensure respectful restoration of the land takes place. This new five hectare open range exhibit is being completed in a staged project development – we have completed approximately 50% of the new experience, with further work due to be completed as soon as funding is secured. The following projects have been completed or are underway: • Grassland display beds – the area will contain more than 40 native grassland species with the site also becoming a seed orchard, collecting seeds for revegetation onsite and for local indigenous nurseries and conservation groups. • Grasslands free range space with kangaroo, Brolga, Emu and Eastern Barred Bandicoots free to forage and feed with visitors able to walk among them. This area is also one of four protected release sites for the critically endangered Eastern Barred Bandicoot in Victoria. • Bandicoot Hideout – a nocturnal exhibit enabling Zoo visitors to engage with an Eastern Barred Bandicoot and learn more about other nocturnal native species. • A walk through Koala exhibit. • A free flight aviary for the critically endangered Orangebellied Parrot. Orange-bellied Parrots are a migratory bird and this aviary will act as a type of pre-release ‘gym’, for captive-bred birds before they are released back into the wild. • A soundscape for the historic shearing shed. • Link to Werribee River Walkway – a peaceful boardwalk space with views across the river to our African Savannah. ZOOS VICTORIA’S LEADERSHIP The Zoos Victoria Board leads our vision to become a world leading zoo-based conservation organisation complemented by our Zoos Victoria Foundation Board who inspire and encourage philanthropy within our community and corporations. Zoos Victoria Patron The Hon Alex Chernov AC QC, Governor of Victoria Zoological Parks and Gardens Board Anne Ward, Chair Still to come are the following: • Exhibit for the endangered Brush-tailed Rock Wallaby. • Children’s play space – Hidden World – allowing young visitors the chance to view the world from a grass-eye-view. • Welcome to Country installation, built in consultation with local Indigenous groups. • Shearing Shed restoration. This new exhibit is an important area which we hope will inspire our visitors and the many students visiting the Zoo and it also responds to the growing number of international tourists visiting Werribee, giving them an Australian experience alongside their African Savannah tour. To discuss the ongoing development or to arrange for a tour of the new area, please contact Julia White, General Manager, Foundation on [email protected] DOES YOUR BUSINESS HAVE A BIG HEART? Jon Hickman, Deputy Chair Natasha Bowness Kenneth Hinchcliff Sahil Merchant Helen Thornton Zoos Victoria is launching a new Animal Adoptions program designed specifically for businesses interested in supporting our zoos. Geoff Wescott T Sonia Kent, Chair he new program is perfect for small to medium sized businesses with Corporate Animal Adoptions ranging from $500 – $5,000 per annum. In return your business receives a benefits package including a small allocation of tickets to visit our zoos, behind the scenes experiences as well as acknowledgment of your generous support for your chosen species. All funds raised will go towards supporting Zoos Victoria’s conservation programs, helping fight the extinction of threatened species. The new program is set to launch in September but we’d love to invite some of our valued corporate supporters to get involved prior to the launch. If you are interested in hearing more about the Corporate Animal Adoptions package, please get in touch with our Corporate Sponsorship Manager Laura Hillis via email: [email protected] Kylie White Zoos Victoria Foundation Board Andrew Abercrombie Andrew Bell Natasha Bowness James Chen Monica Grollo Anne Ward Andrew Vizard Zoos Victoria CEO Jenny Gray Zoos Victoria Foundation Executive Director Pamela Sutton-Legaud 11 projects. WIND POWER AT WERRIBEE A cross our three zoos environmental sustainability is a major priority as we continue to employ environmentally sustainable practices to reduce our ecological footprint across all areas of our operations. Our sustainability focus encompasses habitat protection, pollution prevention and ecologically sustainable and ethical development and construction. Zoos Victoria has already implemented a number of projects and programs to improve our energy efficiency and reduce our carbon emissions. We are working on further projects to continue these improvements across our three zoos. One of the best ways to reduce carbon footprint is to invest in renewable energy sources. Located in the fastest growing municipality in Australia, Werribee Open Range Zoo presents an opportunity to showcase leading innovations and technologies to our ever-growing number of visitors whilst promoting environmentally sustainable behaviours. Zoos Victoria commissioned a feasibility analysis through the University of Melbourne, which recommended the installation of a small scale wind power generator at Werribee. Installing two 10kW small scale wind generators will yield the following benefits: • Generate ~ 70MWh of renewable energy per year. • Reduce Werribee Open Range Zoo’s greenhouse gases by 94 tonnes of CO2e per year. • Provide a very visible and iconic demonstration of Zoos Victoria’s environmental sustainability commitment in an effort to inspire others. PROJECT COST $150,000 OTHER ZOOS VICTORIA PRIORITY PROJECTS INCLUDE: MELBOURNE ZOO: HEALESVILLE SANCTUARY: Lord Howe Stick Insect Redevelopment (LHISI) $120,000 Exciting redevelopment to the area alongside the Butterfly House to provide long-term improvements to visitor engagement of the species via a new LHISI exhibit and sculpture. In addition there will be a public program with self-guided trail and LHISI encounters and interpretation revitalisation to tell the LHISI story from rescue to recovery. Upgrade of Pelican Pond $250,000 A major upgrade to the existing pelican pond will include renewed landscape and islands and boardwalk, with strong links with Indigenous elements. YOU CAN HELP BUILD WIND POWER! CALL (03) 9340 2770 OR VISIT WWW.ZOO.ORG.AU