Creighton, Tegan Douglas, Phyllis Bentley, Marion Massam, Rob & Sue Mather, Rod Smith and Maris Lauva. I should also thank Marcus' wife and son (who helped out on the day), Wendy Binks (for designing and organising the delivery of the fridge magnets), BirdLife Australia (for allowing us to use their displays boards and tables), Abby Berryman (who had to raid the Department of Parks and Wildlife's sheds to retrieve all the things I requested), Stephen Fryc who donated the use of his laptop and Lorraine Parke (mum) and Chris Steytler (husband) who generously (albeit without a choice), helped me set up and take down the display. Personally, I was inspired by the number of people who expressed genuine concern and a desire to help. We are not alone in believing that the Western Ground Parrot is worth fighting for. Our biggest hurdle has been a lack of awareness. The show was a success in raising the profile of Western Australia's most endangered bird, although it also highlighted how much more work still needs to be done. Last, but not least, it gives me great satisfaction to know that somewhere out there are hundreds of people looking at a photo of themselves with a giant green parrot and wondering 'Who the heck is Brutus ?'
Outstanding Service Award for us On 25 November 2013 committee members Michael Walters and Georgina Steytler attended the Department of Parks and Wildlife annual Volunteer of the Year Awards on behalf of the Friends of the Western Ground Parrot (FWGP). Whilst the FWGP did not win overall, we did receive one of 15 Outstanding Service Awards for our commitment to the recovery and conservation of the Western Ground Parrot. This is the first time that a group has been given such an award. The award was presented by WA Environment Minister Albert Jacob, in recognition of the work that the group had done in, among other things, assisting the DPaW with conducting surveys and raising awareness of WGPs. In September, the group also donated $10,000 to DPaW's WGP Recovery Project.
Michael Walters, Georgina Steytler and Environment Minister Albert Jacob
Our Outstanding Service Award is for everyone who has volunteered on behalf of, or donated money to, FWGP’s WGP Recovery Fund. We should all be proud of our contributions. In the words of Helen Keller, “Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much”.
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