Friends of the Koala

MEDIA RELEASE

15 March 2007

Friends of the Koala honoured by National Award

The Wildlife Preservation Society of Australia has announced that its Community Wildlife Conservation Award for 2006 has been awarded to the Northern Rivers wildlife rehabilitation and advocacy group Friends of the Koala.

The annual award, now in its fourth year, recognizes community conservation groups that are making a major contribution to wildlife preservation throughout Australia. It comprises a large crystal trophy and a cheque for $2,500.

The Society’s Executive Director, Ms Suzanne Medway said “Judging was very hard this year – we were surprised and delighted at the number and standard of nominations received from all over Australia. Friends of the Koala was chosen to receive our award because it is a completely volunteer group which plays a significant educational, scientific as well as rehabilitative role in its region.”

“We are thrilled that the group’s ongoing work to conserve the region’s koalas over these past 20 years has received national recognition,” said Friends of the Koala President, Lorraine Vass. “We are the first wildlife rehabilitation group to have won the community award although a number of recipients of the Serventy Conservation Award for individual endeavour have been associated with wildlife rehabilitation.” “Friends of the Koala is a team organization which is continually engaging in partnerships across the Northern Rivers and beyond to improve its effectiveness in delivering better outcomes for koalas on the Northern Rivers. Our increasing recognition rests on the contribution of a lot of people, past as well as present”, she said.

The Award will be announced and presented at the Wildlife Preservation Society’s 98^th annual luncheon in the Dining Room, Parliament House on Monday 19 March 2007. The Hon Bob Debus MP, retiring Minister for the Environment will be host and Peter Cundall AM, guest speaker.