Oolong Sanctuary Newsletters Number 5

Oolong Sanctuary banner created by J. K. Phillips

Newsletter 5

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WELCOME TO THE OOLONG SANCTUARY NEWS!

January 2004- September 2005

Dear Friends,

Many thanks for re-electing me to the position of president. I will try my best to continue the conservation program and to search for a major sponsorhip.

From this year some of the volunteers from the Task Force and I will have to concentrate in fund raising.

We need a replacement for our 4x4 vehicle and until then our regular patrol to maintain the electric fence will have to be discontinued.

Donations have not been forthcoming therefore expenditure will cover only the insurance premium for our volunteers and public liability. As in last year we will keep on relying on individual contributions for essential works.

We have accommodation quarters for volunteers who wish to stay overnight in a shed for men and a room in the incubating facilities for women with hot shower in the sheering shed.

We know how fierce is competition amongst associations for funds moreover Trusts and Philanthropic associations complain that the tax rebate is not attractive enough. On this matter a submission was forwarded by our Task Force to the PM in reply to his office's request for comment on the proposal:

"Proposal to encourage more individuals and/or business to consider philanthropy for the first time, or to increase the level of philanthropy".

This is the view expressed by Vanessa Meachen, Research & Training Coordinator, Philanthropy Australia in reply to my concern:

"It's also important to keep in mind that rejection doesn't necessarily mean that the project wasn't considered worthy; most foundations receive a vast number of submissions but have limited funds and therefore cannot fund all the projects they consider worthy of funding."

I like to reassure the members that we will try to find the key to open the donation door with these recalcitrant grantmakers, meanwhile I will continue to finance the basic requirements and maintain our WebPages.

Membership is growing and we have passed the 100 mark. However while the majority of our members are very supportive they haven't any time to actively participate in on-ground projects. We will propose at the AGM to increase the membership fees.

We welcome the Brown family from Canberra. They have purchased a portion of "Mulleun" formerly Calendarah with the intent to preserve it. They support our program.

Our thanks to Andrew Wynberg who resigned the position of vice president, owing to school commitments. He will continue to be associated with us and will serve in the Fund of Friends of Oolong Committee. Congratulations to Nora Preston, who has been elected to the position.

Mr Cliff Block is our first Honorary Resident Scientist, who has committed himself to carry out project no.7- Biological Survey - To enable an overview of biodiversity in the area, setting up of baseline recording sites and identification of possible directions. (This project was previously costed at about $5,000 by the specialist at the ANU). He will supervise our volunteer and assist with other projects.

We thank and are grateful to our active volunteers. They provided over $73,000pa with in-kind contribution. This amount should increase to $110,000pa in the year 2005 with the in-kind contribution by the newly appointed Resident Scientist and interstate and overseas volunteers.

I have decided to use my Land Cruiser when needed at the sanctuary while the repairs to the old Suzuki are carried out.

We have received donations from the Australasian Native Orchid Society Illawarra and the Cumberland Bird Observers' Club.

A special acknowledgment is given to the John and Joan D'Addario Foundation Inc (USA) Trust for their generous contribution of $5000 US dollars.

We apologise for the delay in calling the AGM but I have been sick and immobile for a long period owing to my knee which needs to be operated while our Secretary/Treasurer had to undergo major surgery which resolved very succesfully.

Regards,

Dr Gianni W D'Addario, President
Friends of Oolong Inc.