Latest News
ANNUAL REPORT 2006/2007CHAIRMAN'S REPORT - WES MANNION
Welcome to the AGM for Australia Zoo Wildlife Warriors Worldwide Ltd, thank you for your attendance today and commitment to the organization.
The main purpose of today's meeting is to review the operations of our organization for the year ending 30 June 2007. Having said that I would like to thank our team that after experiencing significant growth has worked hard to consolidate the operation of the organization and identify the focus for the coming year.
For the financial year which ended on 30 June 2007 our performance overall was very pleasing. Our priorities for the year were achieved as we set out to do a number of things;
- maintain our profile and build our supporter base
- consolidate our fundraising efforts and hold our first major public appeal Steve Irwin Day
- increase our effectiveness in our international programs
- commence the building of the Australian Wildlife Hospital
- continue to raise the funds needed to complete the new hospital
Our outcomes have included:
- Launching our monthly giving program and conducting our first direct mail campaign which resulted in a 5.98% return rate, an outstanding result for a charity direct mail out.
- In partnership with Australia Zoo launching the first Steve Irwin Day a major event at Australia Zoo with all money raised going to the charity.
- As part of Steve Irwin Day launching two appeals the community could become involved with to raise funds Back Yard Camp Out and Khaki Day
- Receiving significant promotion through our partnership with the Sunday Mail and the 5 part series Wild and Wonderful. This was supported by a Wild and Wonderful Education Kit for Schools
- Establishing an Ecological Services Unit which undertook a major spotter and catcher contract with Star Track Alliance
- Our hospital increasing its wildlife cases to around 5,000 p.a. and increasing staff to twenty five.
- Establishing a process which allows individuals and community groups to raise funds for us.
- Continuing to develop our international conservation programs with tigers, cheetahs and elephants.
- Commencing a Koala tracking program
- Deploying a team to Franlingham State Forest in Victoria to provide emergency care to wildlife victims of bush fires.
- The Crocodile Research Project also continues to go from strength to strength and our thanks go to Professor Craig Franklin for this.
- Khaliah Ali and Gert Boyle joined us as ambassadors in the US.
We would like to acknowledge all the donors, supporters and sponsors for their generosity over the 2006/2007 year - and in particular we would like to thank the team at Australia Zoo for continuing to underwrite our administration costs, encouraging patrons to support, and for the assistance through various Australia Zoo staff and departments which enables us to keep our small team lean and effective. In particular we would like to thank all the staff that are involved in pay role giving who combined donate over $20,000 a year.
Our major focus for the coming year is to complete the building of the Australian Wildlife Hospital. This facility will be a world class facility and treat over 10,000 wildlife patients a year. In addition to this we are supporting more conservation projects and adding Tasmanian Devil Conservation and Blue Whale Conservation to our portfolio's. It is also our priority to consolidate our relationships with our supporters and sponsors to make sure they are fully engaged with the organization and continue to financially support the important conservation work that we undertake.
Thank you all for your support and for continuing to "live a little on the wild side".
Wes Mannion, 13 Feb 2008
Justin Timberlake and Wildlife Warriors Worldwide
On 22 October 2007 Wildlife Warriors announced that award-winning entertainer, entrepreneur and philanthropist Justin Timberlake is the charity’s newest champion for wildlife.
Justin has enjoyed a long-standing friendship with the Irwin family and he visited Australia Zoo and Wildlife Warrior Headquarters in 2004. In the wake of Steve Irwin’s passing, Justin resolved to do what he could to keep Steve’s conservation dream alive.
Inspired by Steve Irwin’s passion, Justin hopes to bring conservation issues into the consciousness of the world, “environmental sustainability is arguably one of the biggest challenges faced by my generation. I think it’s important that we all make a commitment to make a difference. I am pleased to lend my support to the work initiated by Steve and Terri Irwin.”
Terri Irwin thanked Justin for his willingness to promote the interests of the charity. “Justin has a genuine concern for the environment, a belief in the Wildlife Warrior vision and public awareness. He is in a unique position to influence many people’s awareness of, and receptiveness to, conservation issues. Our charity works on the philosophy that a few good people can make an enormous difference – Justin is certainly someone who will do just that.”
The announcement was made as Justin prepares for a sold-out Australian/New Zealand tour which commences in Brisbane on 27 October 2007. In a welcome gesture, Justin has committed highly coveted backstage tours and a number of concert tickets per show to assist the charity with its Steve Irwin Day fundraising appeal.
Seats and backstage tours for the remaining Australia/New Zealand concert dates are available for bidding via www.australiazoo.com.au.
