NEWS DESK
Animals dining out for anniversary MOONLIT Sanctuary Wildlife Conservation Park, Pearcedale, celebrated its 20th anniversary on Friday, 17 September with treats for the resident animals. Despite lockdown, keepers served up “cakes” for koalas, dingoes, wombats and emu to mark two decades of bringing people and wildlife together. Life sciences manager Lisa Tuthill said such ingredients as sweet potato, meat or insects, “can serve as a great source of nutritional and behavioural enrichment”. The sanctuary grew from the childhood dreams of Michael Johnson into a place where people could experience and appreciate the rare and unusual animals that roam the bush. It was established by the Johnson family on
10-hectares of what was a farm and pony club. Now it is home to more than 400 animals representing 70 species. The sanctuary initially ran night tours to the public, hence the name Moonlit Sanctuary. In 2007, the sanctuary began opening during the day, increasing the number of animals and recording 80,000 visitors a year. Before COVID-19 closures, the sanctuary was seeing about 150,000 visitors annually and it is still proving to be a favourite day out. “We are honouring this major milestone and are grateful to the community who helped us get there,” Mr Johnson said. “We are elated to be celebrating our role in connecting people with wildlife since the sanctuary first opened 20 years ago.” Stephen Taylor
Found it: Michael Ketelaar with his metal detector at Canadian Bay. Picture: Yanni
Searcher makes a golden return
MARY, a 14-year-old wombat, had no problems getting into the celebratory mood when being offered a treat by keeper Brodie Zealand to mark Moonlit Sanctuary Wildlife Conservation Park’s 20th anniversary. Picture: Gary Sissons
THE chance sighting of a missing item poster near the beach at Canadian Bay set off a train of events that ended with a happy ending for a Mount Eliza couple. On the poster were photographs of a lost wedding band that had slipped off its owner’s finger while he was out paddling in front of the boat ramp, Wednesday 8 September. The man, who is not being named as he is suffering serious health issues, was distraught at the loss and his wife set about printing the posters in the hope the ring would be found. Enter Mount Eliza resident Michael Hammond, whose son-in-law Michael Ketelaar, also of Mount Eliza, has an underwater metal detector. “I sent a picture of the poster to Michael and
asked if perhaps he could pop down and have a look for the ring,” Mr Hammond said. “Sure thing,” said the younger man, who spent three days in his waders several metres out in front of the ramp hoping to strike gold. Fortunately, the weather made conditions ideal. “What do you think the chances are of finding the ring?” an elated Mr Hammond asked The Times later. “Probably a billion to one – but he did.” Mr Ketelaar wasted no time in returning the ring of rose gold with white gold stripe to its overjoyed owners. He refused their offer of a reward, saying it was enough to see their joy at the ring’s return. Stephen Taylor
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Frankston Power Centre (Opposite Bunnings) Frankston Times
21 September 2021
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