10 Year Anniversary Gala
to support the conservation of
10 million acres
of Australian outback
1,200 native species
of mammals, birds, reptiles and frogs
Join us for an unforgettable evening at the Friends of Australian Wildlife Conservancy 10 Year Anniversary Gala at the Central Park Zoo on Thursday, May 19, 2016.
This historic event will support the efforts of the Australian Wildlife Conservancy (AWC) to secure, manage and protect an extraordinary 10 million acres of land in Australia.
Hosted by acclaimed Australian actor, David Wenham
Performance by award winning Australian singer, Missy Higgins
6.30pm Cocktails
7.30pm Dinner
9.30pm Nocturnal party
Proceeds from the Gala will support the conservation of Australia's unique and threatened wildlife on land owned and managed by Australian Wildlife Conservancy.
Australian Wildlife Conservancy (AWC) is the largest private (non-profit) owner of land for conservation in Australia, protecting endangered wildlife across more than eight million acres in iconic Outback locations such as the Kimberley, Cape York, the Top End and Lake Eyre.
Australia has the worst mammal extinction rate in the world. Business as usual will mean more extinctions.
In response to the catastrophic decline in Australia's natural capital, AWC has developed an effective new model for conservation based on practical land management (fire management, invasive species control) and world class science.
AWC protects more animal species than any other non-government conservation organization in Australia including:
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71% (204 species) of all Australian mammal species.
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86% (519 species) of all Australian bird species.
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Over 50% (516 species) of all reptile and amphibian species.
"So much of conservation today is playing defence. Australian Wildlife Conservancy is playing offense - and putting good scores on the board."
John Berry
US Ambassador to Australia
Australian Wildlife Conservancy (AWC) is the difference between survival and extinction for a range of unique Australian animals, protecting some of the largest remaining populations of many threatened species.
With your support, AWC is halting and reversing the decline in Australia's wildlife.
"Australian Wildlife Conservancy represents an exciting new model for conservation in Australia. Wtih a network of properties covering millions of acres, AWC's team of scientists and land managers are at the frontline in the battle to save Australia's most endangered wildlife."
Professor Tim Flannery
Australian of the Year (2007)
Honorees
We are thrilled to be honoring the following outstanding individuals:
Live Auction Items
Hit it out with Wimbledon champion, Pat Cash, in a private tennis lesson
Fine tune your skills with a one hour tennis lesson with Australian tennis legend, Pat Cash, one of Australia’s greatest athletes and winner of numerous tournaments including the Men's Singles title at Wimbledon in 1987. The lesson is for up to four people, to be taken in December 2016 or January 2017 at the sensational Kooyong Tennis Club in Melbourne, Australia. Included are eight tickets to attend the Kooyong Classic in January 2017. Walk on the court with confidence wearing your signed headband, a gift from Pat.
Gifted by the man himself… Pat Cash
Relax and renew this summer on a peaceful Long Island getaway
Four bedroom house sleeps ten with two and a half baths and outdoor shower. This beautiful home on secluded wetlands overlooking Moriches Bay is a certified green retreat (solar powered, built with reclaimed and organic materials). Wake to the sound of birds, read the paper overlooking the bay (only a short walk away) or gather herbs from the organic vegetable garden for lunch on the outdoor grill.
Unwind and enjoy the salt-water pool, fire pit, billiard table, and paddle boarding and kayaking. Located in the 18th Century village of Remsenberg, the house is a short bike ride to Westhampton Beach (bikes on the property) or a 20 minute drive to the galleries and restaurants of Southampton.
Gifted by Sid Ray & Philip Kearns
Value $10,000 (in peak season August 1 - 7, 2016) No pets
Explore the real Australian Outback and its unique wildlife with AWC ecologists and Warlpiri rangers (Newhaven Wildlife Sanctuary)
Visit the real Outback to explore one of central Australia’s most majestic properties, by helicopter, 4WD and on foot. AWC’s Newhaven Wildlife Sanctuary (650,000 acres) features dramatic quartzite mountains overlooking extensive sand dunes, shimmering salt lakes and rich spinifex sandplains decorated by desert oak and iconic ghost gums. Renowned as a haven for arid zone birds, such as the endangered Princess Parrot, Newhaven is also set to host Australia’s largest endangered mammal reintroduction project.
This is a truly unique, once in a lifetime experience:
• Enjoy a helicopter flight along rugged ranges, which tower over the adjacent desert woodlands.
• Spend time in the field with AWC ecologists as they undertake biological surveys to track populations of unique Australian mammals such as Dunnarts and Mulgara, as well as reptiles like the Thorny Devil and the Woma Python (relax, it’s not venomous).
• Get to know the Warlpiri Rangers, who work with AWC at Newhaven. The Warlpiri Rangers are expert trackers from whom you can learn how to track feral predators, as well as identify bush tucker.
Ex-Sydney April 2017 (or another date to be agreed with AWC)
Value $11,500 (Package includes return economy flights
from Sydney to Alice Springs, transfer from Alice Springs
to Newhaven Wildlife Sanctuary and helicopter flights)
Paspaley ‘Maxima’ white gold drop earrings combining Australian mother-of-pearl, South Sea pearls and white diamonds
Paspaley produces Australian South Sea pearls, the rarest and most valuable pearls in the world. Each Paspaley pearl is hand-picked by an expert diver from the depths of the ocean off the Kimberley, Australia – one of the most pristine and remote locations on earth. In collaboration with accomplished designers, Paspaley’s artisan jewellers apply traditional timehonoured
techniques, hand craftsmanship and innovative technology, adorning pearls with the finest materials to create pieces to cherish for generations.
Paspaley places strong emphasis on environmental responsibility and sustainability, having long advocated for the protection of the seas off Australia’s north-west. Each gala attendee will receive a copy of Secret Life of Pearls, a documentary filmed on location during the 2015 pearl harvest. This film is a Paspaley initiative created for National Geographic Channel, and will premiere across 46 countries throughout 2016.
Discover more at Paspaley.com
Value $6,500
The best real estate deal in town: “purchase”
(sponsor) 15 acres of Outback Australia for $500
Working with the Warlpiri traditional owners at Newhaven Wildlife Sanctuary, AWC is establishing the largest feral predator-free area on mainland Australia, restoring a massive landscape (160,000 acres) to the state it was in when European explorers first arrived. At least 10 regionally extinct mammals will be reintroduced. Support this internationally significant project by purchasing (sponsoring) 15 acres for $500.
Your 15 acres will support Golden Bandicoots, Mala, Bilby and more. With no stamp duty or property taxes, this deal is set to deliver a great (ecological) return on investment! Your name will be included on a commemorative plaque at Newhaven and you will receive quarterly updates by email.
Be a part of the commentary team at the PGA Tour Playoffs with
Ian Baker-Finch
You and a friend will enjoy VIP Clubhouse passes to the Barclay’s PGA Tour Playoffs at Bethpage State Park (Black), Farmingdale, NY on August 27 – 28, 2016. Ian Baker Finch will escort you to the famous Tower 17 where you will share the commentator’s box with the legendary CBS Sports Analyst and 1991 British Open Champion as he calls the play.
Gifted by the legendary… Ian Baker-Finch
Experience a lost world of escarpments, rainforest
and wildlife (Charnley River-Artesian Range) including Qantas Business Class Return Tickets to Australia
Indulge in an exclusive opportunity for two people to visit one of the most remote and wildlife rich locations on Earth. Accessible only by helicopter, the Artesian Range is a “lost world” of spectacular sandstone ranges dissected by deep, rainforest-filled gorges. Embedded in the only region in Australia to have suffered no animal extinctions since European settlement, this thin strip of the Kimberley (north-west coast) is the last refuge for at least 30 animals that are found nowhere else on mainland Australia, including the Monjon (the world’s smallest rock wallaby).
As part of this exclusive opportunity you will:
• Helicopter into the Artesian Range for 3 nights, guided by AWC ecologists. Stay at the David Attenborough Field Station.
• Get a helicopter tour exploring towering sandstone escarpments and flying through the spectacular Charnley River Gorge, stopping to swim in remote waterholes and explore patches of rainforest.
• Assist AWC scientists with a biological survey of threatened wildlife.
Ex-Sydney; 2017 dates to be agreed (May – August)
Valued at over $20,000 (Qantas is proud to provide
two complimentary return Business Class tickets to
Australia. Onboard the flagship Qantas A380 you will
experience the best of Australia before you’ve even
arrived. Also included are return economy flights from
Sydney to Broome, charter from Broome to Charnley
River Wildlife Sanctuary and helicopter flights into the
Artesian Range).
To place absentee bids please contact Georgina Duckworth
or +1 347 589 2921
We are delighted to honor the following individuals
John H Streicker
John Streicker is the Chairman of Friends of Australian Wildlife Conservancy, having founded the US-based organization in 2006. He is an influential contributor to the development of the USA-Australia relationship through business, diplomatic and philanthropic networks.
Kristy & Jim Clark
Kristy and Jim Clark have been generous supporters of Australian Wildlife Conservancy for nearly a decade, helping to build the organization and protect large tracts of land inhabited by some of Australia's rarest wildlife. Kristy is a Director and Ambassador of AWC.
Thomas E Lovejoy, PhD
Thomas Lovejoy is one of the world's most eminent conservation biologists, having coined the term "biological diversity". The recipient of many awards, including the Tyler Prize and the Blue Planet Award, he is a founding member of the Science Advisory Network of Australian Wildlife Conservancy.
