FME2039 On The Brink Newsletter Issue 02 07ƒ SCREEN

What’s Inside On The
Brink
Community 5 minutes Project
survey with Dr John updates 02Issue
results Wamsley 2018
p7-8
p4 p5

From the CEO of the Foundation. We heard many stories The long-term goal of this Fund is to build
and anecdotes of your interaction and enough capital to enable the Foundation’s
“Our only hope.” memories of the Foundation. It was operational expenses to be covered by its
fabulous to see many of you have annual return. By building this Fund, we will
These are three powerful, but resonating, supported the Foundation since its enable the Foundation to allocate 100% of
words, used by FAME’s founder, Dr John inception in 1993 and continue the passion the donor dollar to projects and programs
Wamsley, in his description of FAME today. some 25 years later. instead of approximately 85 cents currently
Whilst in Western Australia, some of our possible. We believe, with your help,
In this issue, we were thrilled when donors joined us to visit the Dryandra
Dr Wamsley agreed, for our 25th year, to Woodland to see and understand, this is an achievable goal.
be interviewed by the Foundation – where first-hand, our project to save the last
we asked his thoughts in relation to the remaining wild populations of Numbats Over the last two years the Foundation has
past, present and future. You can read the through the wheatbelt of Western Australia streamlined and adopted new corporate
interview on page 5. in partnership with the Federal Government governance initiatives to ensure operational
and the WA Department of Biodiversity, agility and sustainability for now and the
At the outset, I want to thank our community Conservation and Attractions through the future. In this issue, the Chair overviews
for their response to our donor survey use of detector dogs. Our donors found the governance matters to provide a clear
distributed this year. Your input, feedback trip informative and enjoyed the opportunity understanding of the Company.
and honesty were both humbling and to spend one-on-one time with me and our
informative. Your engagement with Chair. A special thanks to the Numbat Task As you will see throughout On the Brink,
FAME, together with your strong belief Force who hosted us for the afternoon. FAME continually demonstrates that
in the work we do, was clearly evident. We hope to have more of our donors properly resourced programs and projects
For those providing constructive criticism experience these trips for projects we partnered with like-minded entities and
we have now addressed the issues with fund around Australia. individuals can achieve much more than
you personally, or in some cases, have In 2017/18 the Foundation was a recipient individual efforts, which, in the future, could
instigated the minor changes you have of a bequest from the late Dr Lee which be our only hope.
requested to see. We have developed an allowed us to build our Capital Reserve Fund.
infographic on page 4 which provides an Tracy McNamara
overhead analysis of the results. Donor visit to the Dyandra Woodland Chief Executive Officer

Our first 25th Anniversary function was held
at Government House in Western Australia
in late May and provided both members of
the Board and me an opportunity to meet
with many of our donors and stakeholders
whilst celebrating and discussing 25 years

The FAME Newsletter is published by Every effort has been made to ensure About FAME
the Foundation for Australia’s Most the accuracy of the content within this
Endangered Species Ltd. newsletter. We apologise for any omissions FAME is an independent, non-profit
ABN 79 154 823 579 or errors that may have occurred. organisation based in South Australia
Level 1, 47 Tynte Street but operating across the country.
North Adelaide 5006, SA Follow us on social media
08 8374 1744
FAME is completely donor
[email protected] funded; our work is only possible
www.fame.org.au because of the generosity of our
community who support us. For
2 this we are grateful. Donations to
FAME are tax-deductible under
relevant Australian legislation.

Corporate Board and staff, OH&S, risk management, 4. Ask the CEO to report any potential risks
employment, investment, project funding to the Company’s full compliance with
Governance including contracts, internal controls, gifts ACNC, ASIC and ATO requirements
and benefits and communications among and any other relevant laws and
With the current spotlight on corporate others. These policies are reviewed and, regulations.
governance with examples such as if appropriate, updated annually.
the Hayne Royal Commission, I think it In addition to the above, your Board has
worthwhile for all of FAME’s stakeholders At all meetings of your Board, which established an Investment Committee
to be aware of how FAME approaches occur face-to-face 3-4 times annually, chaired by the Company’s Finance Director
governance. and by telephone if extra meetings who is an experienced finance and
are needed; the FAME directors: investment professional. Moreover, annually
FAME is a public company, limited at the AGM voting members appoint an
by guarantee, incorporated under 1. Update their respective disclosures of independent auditor of the Company’s
the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) (CA). any and all matters and interests, financial reporting and processes, and
Along with this Act there are many such as material personal interests the auditor’s report is provided to all
Commonwealth and State laws with which (CA section 191), which may conflict with members at the AGM and otherwise
FAME must comply including the Australian the discharge of their duties as directors upon request by email to the CEO.
Charities and Not-for-Profits Commission of FAME. (All directors are volunteers
Act 2012 (Cth) (ACNC) and various ATO who donate to the Company, and most FAME’s directors have developed
regulations. FAME’s activities are regulated pay their own expenses when traveling a strategic plan which is reviewed
by ASIC, ACNC and the ATO. to and from commitments for FAME.), annually and re-written every three
years. The Company has a defined
You will be aware that, just recently in 2. Consider financial reports from and articulated vision and mission
FAME’s 25th year of operations, we management, which detail the which drives its core values.
undertook a survey of your attitudes Company’s financial position (balance
to various aspects of FAME’s mission sheet), income and expenses for the I think you will agree with me that FAME
and operations. A strong majority of period and against the budget, and has a comprehensive framework for,
respondents were satisfied that FAME is the progress of the Company’s reserve and a serious commitment to, proper
well run. Your Board takes its corporate investments, which are monies held governance, and that your Board
governance duties and responsibilities very by the Company pending investment considers ethical and honest behaviour
seriously. At every meeting of the Board, in native wildlife conservation (NWC) among public institutions including not-
time is dedicated to aspects of good projects. (These are in addition to for-profit organisations, is paramount.
corporate governance, both retrospectively monthly financial reports emailed to
and prospectively. all directors.), Interested donors may contact the
CEO, Mrs Tracy McNamara, at
During the past couple of years, the FAME 3. Consider written reports from your [email protected] for
Board has considered, amended, and CEO on the progress and outcomes copies of any policy documentation
adopted new and appropriate corporate of FAME’s currently-funded NWC referred to in this note.
governance initiatives. They have included projects. These reports include the
the adoption of a comprehensive suite of acquittal of funding and other matters Chris Chapman
policies for the good governance of FAME. of compliance with the contracts Chair
These have dealt with the conduct of the between FAME and the recipients of FAME Board
FAME investments in NWC, and

FAME Board L-R Back row: Michael Willson AM KSJ, Tracy McNamara, Tony Hume, Bruce Jackson. 3
Front row: Dr Diana Beal, Christopher Chapman, Margaret Wilksch OAM. Inset: Dr Fred Ford.

25 YEARS OF SAVING OUR ENDANGERED FLORA AND FAUNA

Your views on us.
2018 community survey results.

In 2018, FAME conducted its first ever The most humbling has been
donor survey. We are thrilled with the kind words and comments
the depth of responses received. about FAME and it’s work.

Describing FAME in three words: “I am pleased you often work with the
small creatures and plants as well.”
Animals Passionate
Essential “I see FAME as a “quiet achiever” not using
Worthwhile resources to spruik itself to a greater audience,
Wildlife but getting involved with the job at hand of saving
Protection Australia’s unique flora and fauna.
Active Please keep up the excellent work. Thankyou.”
Endangered
Responsible Compassionate “The Flinders Ranges project seems to be an
Species example of the superb work of FAME.”

DedicatedInformative “Supporting PhD research and the development
Conservation Australian of the toxic implant will provide another tool
Conservationist in the fight against feral cats (and possible
Committed Caring other exotic predators in the future). This
Educational Important research would almost surely not have been
undertaken without FAME’s seed funding.”
Helpful Successful Saving
Concerned “You stick at a project... don’t walk away from it
Focussed if things become difficult. I like that.”
Determined
Achieving

Environmental

Practical
Vital

This is what you, our You are particularly Your views on how
donor community, proud of the Western project support is
have told us: Quoll and Brush-tailed allocated:
Possums and Devil Ark
99.08% feel engaged project successes.
with the Foundation
with our communication You support FAME I support I like a say in
being right. For some in because you are deeply Board’s how my donation
this group, they’d like appalled at the rate of decision is spent
to hear from us more. extinction of Australia’s
native species. Feral
75% believe the predator
Foundation has good You are fiercely control
governance whilst 24.09% passionate and supportive
were neutral. of projects that work Based on
towards controlling feral conservation
The large majority of predators – in particular, status of species
our community enjoy cats and foxes.
reading the newsletter
from cover to cover. My home I really
state don’t mind
4

5 minutes foxes simply swam out to the islands and Is there a particular native
destroyed the nesting ducks. I noticed a species that you are most fearful
with Dr John track from the neighbour’s house to the we may lose to extinction?
banksia patch where their cat made the No, I do not believe it is the species
Wamsley trip each night to get a free feed where that matter. It is the communities
the honeyeaters nested in the banksias to of living organisms. The way we
Dr John Wamsley sprang to fame three get the nectar first thing in the morning. are going we will lose them all.
decades ago when, in a move seen It’s safe to assume that conservation
as outrageous at the time, he wore a If we accept there was little remains a focus in your life… with
hat made from the skin of a feral cat understanding of feral predators at what are you involved currently?
to a tourism award ceremony in South that time (when you wore the hat), I am currently involved in saving the
Australia. Outrageous it might have how would you now describe the Scott Creek Conservation Park as a
been but it certainly got some action. public’s knowledge of this scourge? magnificent example of a number of
communities of living organisms. At
In our 25th year, we asked Dr Wamsley a I think everyone now understands that present, I am working on Almanda
series of questions still pertinent to species the main problem we have is exotic Creek which is a “Silky Tea Tree –
protection today. Here are his responses. species but I do not think many really Manna Gum” community which is
care. I am at present involved in writing an endangered community.
We recently completed a survey of my biography. In that I set out how we FAME’s financial robustness over
our community, asking for words could save it all if we wanted to. 25 years is down to our members
that describe FAME. Dr Wamsley, and donors - is there a message
what 3 words would you use to Realistically, can we win this you would like to give them?
describe FAME, and why? war against feral cats, foxes and Keep it up.
feral species more widely? If you had a crystal ball, is
“Our only hope”. The biggest problem there anything in particular you
we face is the loss of our biodiversity. Of course we could, but it would cost. I would like FAME to achieve
Every hectare in the world evolved estimate that for an expenditure of $100 over the next 25 years?
as a community of living organisms million per annum, we could ensure no Why not make the foot of York Peninsula
living in balance, each one relying further native species were lost. This a feral free area and put back the
on the others. We are losing these may sound a lot but it needs to be put in wonderful wildlife which once lived
communities at a terrifying rate. perspective. We (Australia) are responsible there. Or what about Kangaroo Island?
for the loss of about 8% of the world’s loss of Finally, do you still have the feral
You became famous, perhaps biodiversity. We are responsible for about cat hat and, if you do, do you
infamous, when you wore a hat made 1% of the world’s greenhouse gases. At still wear it occasionally?
from the skin of a feral cat. What was present we spend a billion dollars a year on I do have it. Other than getting
the thinking behind that, at the time? reducing greenhouse gases and nothing photos taken wearing it, I do not
seriously trying to reduce our loss of species. wear it much. The dogs chase me.
At that time, it was unlawful for me
to destroy feral cats on Yookamurra Looking back, how well do you Dr John Wamsley
Sanctuary. The Barossa and Light Herald think FAME has performed? We
published an article by Tim Jeanes are now a medium Foundation with
(now an ABC presenter) attacking an income stream around a million
us and calling on people to stop this dollars which supports on-ground
terrible destruction of feral animals. I conservation projects across all states
had no option but to cause a change of Australia. What achievements
in the law. I wore the feral cat to the particularly strike home with you?
SA Tourism Awards which incidentally
Warrawong Sanctuary won. There was FAME is performing extremely well
a meeting of Environment Ministers in compared with others. However, it cannot
Adelaide at the time. They changed on its own do much more than that. As I
the law allowing us to destroy feral cats said it would cost $100 million per annum
on sanctuaries and we were allowed to save our species. We would need 100
to complete Yookamurra Sanctuary. FAME’s to make it work. But, every bit
helps. I think the return of the Western Quoll
Can you tell us about what brought to the Flinders was an extraordinary effort.
you to the realisation that feral
predators were the cause of much of If you were to compile a list of
the destruction of our native species? priorities relating to preventing species
extinction, can you identify, say, the
I commenced building Warrawong top three things that need to be done?
Sanctuary without a fence. I built the
swamp with islands to allow ducks to nest Build 100 Earth Sanctuaries over
on and planted a patch of banksias next Australia covering every major habitat;
to it to attract honeyeaters. I noticed the make them feral free; put back all the
species that lived there 200 years
ago. Cost = $100 million per annum.

25 YEARS OF SAVING OUR ENDANGERED FLORA AND FAUNA 5

Western Quoll

Project wrap-up: One of the toughest points for me I have had many people show interest
personally, and where I feel I have grown in being a part of the project as well as
Project wild_ a lot, is being persistent in contacting messages of support.
people. I have invested so much time in
I can’t believe it has been a year since writing to organisations and individuals All in all, I have photographed and
my relationship with FAME began. There asking for advice or to help share wild’s published images of nearly all of the
have been so many ups and downs and message. At points, I would receive nothing species I set out to photograph. The project
I have learnt a lot along the way. back or no interest. Encouragement by and my work have been published in
I have found the connection with FAME FAME’s CEO to be continually persistent various magazines and social media.
has opened many doors for the project. eventually paid off. The fact I truly believe I have created a strong awareness with
I attended the Devil Ark Gala Dinner with in this project and what it stands for has many shares and likes on the photographs
FAME CEO Tracy McNamara last year helped me push through those doubts. posted across all platforms.
along with many of FAME’s donors. From
this, I made some amazing contacts Being patient whilst photographing The journey from gaining the grant from
with whom I have kept in touch and am animals was a given but I’ve learnt that FAME to now has been an incredible ride.
planning trips in the future to document with some animals you may only have I cannot thank FAME and all the donors
some conservation efforts going on 2 minutes with them. I work extremely enough for believing in and backing this
around Australia. closely with the keepers and handlers project. In retrospect, 18 months ago, wild_
and if any animals show any sign of was a dream project that I thought I could
Along the way, I have met some distress they are taken straight back to work on in my spare time, save money to
passionate keepers that have truly their enclosures. You have to work quickly travel to a few places and start a service
inspired me and amazing endangered but calmly! that could raise awareness of Australia’s
animals that I was able to get close to endangered species. Now, the future looks
and capture imagery that will be The future for wild_ is super exciting and promising.
around forever. I will be working on it in all my spare time.
I have made some amazing contacts that Sarah Ash
are keen to help as much as they can. Project wild_

Sarah photographs a playful Eclectus parrot Golden-tailed Gecko Sarah and a Woma Python

6

Celebrating the mice stayed near their release sites. They are. They have bred. They like the
This one is either very adventurous, or… open grassy bits around the “good” bits
resilience of the eaten!. A radiocollar lies near regurgitated we released them into. It’s not the first
pellets under a tawny frogmouth roost. time I’ve been wrong about something.
New Holland
Later that day I started making jokes If there’s one thing I’ve learnt from
Mouse at about how this was the return of a studying native animals and conservation
functioning ecosystem to Mulligans efforts, it’s that given the chance the
Mulligan’s Flat Flat, then I started to realise the real animals will make their own choices and
truth in that statement. The first New surprise us with their resilience. We just
2014. It’s dark. It’s quiet. Traffic noise Holland mice to be eaten by a native need to keep funding and improving
and the occasional dog bark from predator in the ACT for over 100 years? how we provide that chance, whether
nearby suburbs are muted by the hills That is something to be celebrated. As it be broad-acre control of cats, foxes
and woodland. Something moves long as there were enough mice that and rabbits, or feral-free fenced
in the undergrowth, then it’s gone. survived to see the population through. areas, or population supplementation,
or disease control, or whatever the
“Where’s it gone????” a confused voice Fast forward to 2017, and honours student next tool of our trade may be.
utters for the third time the next day. An Kristen Abicair is following-up on where
annoying beeping fades in and out, New Holland mice are living in Mulligans Dr Fred Ford
getting slightly stronger as a bedraggled Flat. If they are living in Mulligans Flat? FAME Director
researcher wanders across a grassy
field. Once a sheep paddock, the area is New Holland Mouse.
now part of the feral-free Mulligans Flat Photo credit: Ann Jones
Woodland Sanctuary near Canberra.
What it isn’t is good New Holland mouse
habitat in the eyes of the researcher. But
after a while the persistent, annoying,
beeps of the radio-tracking gear lead
him on further and back into better-
looking habitat. So good in fact, that more
mice are planned to be put into the area
a few months later. Make-shift looking trial
release pens of black plastic, wire and
star pickets adorn the healthy ridgeline.
“This is more like it”. But the beeps compel
him onwards. “This is ridiculous”. A bad
feeling starts to develop. All the other

1.5-5.5 M Project Felixer targeted. Cat activity dropped by over
Feral cats 60% in the first 4 weeks of deployment.
Version 3 (V3) of the Felixer prototype
SPECIES: Feral cat has been deployed across numerous A number of further developments to
UNDER THREAT: Over parts of South Australia so far this enhance the Felixer are also being
100 native species year, including Softfoot Sanctuary considered. These include sourcing
POPULATION: Between near Victor Harbor, APY Lands in the cheaper and more accurate cartridges
1.5-5.5 million far north and at Roxby Downs. from a suitable manufacturer and using
a flavour enhancement to increase
(CSIRO, June 2018) At Softfoot Sanctuary, trial data from fox uptake trials to be performed at
these units will be used to improve Secret Rocks, and a new pen being
software to distinguish between cats purpose-built at Softfoot Sanctuary.
and non-target Bettongs, Wallabies,
Pademelons and Spotted-tailed With the deployment of the V3
Quolls. Up in the APY Lands, a test of Felixer, there will also be the need
sustainability, which saw two of the to develop a web-based database
eight units singed - but not destroyed, management system to retrieve, store
in a large fire in February. At Roxby and analyse field data, allowing
Downs, the units installed were put to end users to access their data.
the test in temperatures exceeding 43
degrees. Initial results suggest that 28 Optimisation of V3 of the Felixer
cats and one fox were successfully is supported by FAME and the
fired upon and no native species were Ian Potter Foundation.

25 YEARS OF SAVING OUR ENDANGERED FLORA AND FAUNA 7

We are excited to report that the and are providing invaluable support by
Numbat/Detector Dog project has now providing and servicing the cameras,
progressed to the on-ground delivery reviewing the thousands of images, and
phase. In April of this year, Latitude 42 databasing the results for future analysis.
was contracted for the Detector Dog
work and started work in Tutanning The project is being delivered by the WA
Nature Reserve. Three trained dogs, Department of Biodiversity, Conservation
their handlers and support staff recently and Attractions, with funds provided by
spent three weeks in the Wheatbelt FAME and the Australian Government’s
Reserve undertaking the first of a series of National Landcare Program.
intensive, scientifically-designed trials to
STATE: WA test the effectiveness of purpose-trained
SPECIES: Numbat detector dogs to locate feral cats.
SPECIES STATUS:
Endangered This first trial required the distribution of
around 400 cat scats across the reserve
Protecting the followed by systematic searching by the
last remaining dogs to help understand and quantify
wild populations their ability to pick up cat scent in
of Numbats these environments and under varying
conditions. The number-crunching
has begun, and the result will provide
quantitative data on the dogs’ abilities to
detect feral cats, which will be used to
inform the next stage of the project.

In addition, remote cameras are Minister Dawson with Detector Dog
operating at three reserves to gather
important data and information on feral
cat activity along with numbat and other
fauna activity. Numbat Taskforce and
Project Numbat have joined the project,

Monopoly, Uno, Mahjong, Cluedo, Results to date show that, with ongoing
Kerplunk, Rummy, Sudoko, predator control, achievement
Backgammon - to name but a few of success is highly likely.
- were among 51 Brush-tailed Possums
recently released into the Ikara-Flinders The Brush-tailed Possums were
Ranges National Park. reintroduced as part of the ground-
breaking project by the Foundation,
This supplemental release was SA Department of Environment and Water
undertaken to assist the already (DEW) and WA Department of Biodiversity,
reintroduced Possums to secure Conservation and Attractions (BDC&A)
their population in the region. to release Possums and Western Quolls
after over 50 years of extinction.
STATE: SA
Brush-tailed Possums being transported
SPECIES: Brush-tailed
Possum

SPECIES STATUS:
Population decreasing

Re-introduction of
the Brush-tailed
Possum into the
Ikara-Flinders
Ranges

8

STATE: NSW At Aussie Ark, we are celebrating the Since the opening of Aussie Ark in
recent arrival of several babies. November 2017 our keepers have
SPECIES: Long-nosed been keeping a very close eye on all
Potoroo, Eastern A Southern Brown Bandicoot named species to ensure they are healthy and
Bettong, Southern ‘Crash-Andicoot’ is currently being happy; and having a Parma Wallaby
Brown Bandicoot raised by Devil Ark keeper, Dean Reid. and Southern Brown Bandicoot young
Having grown from 160g when first is obviously a great sign that they are
SPECIES STATUS: discovered to an impressive 350g, settled in and feel right at home.
Vulnerable Crash is growing quickly and is a
(Long-nosed Potoroo), fantastic sign of successful breeding The Parma Wallaby is a small, shy,
Extinct (Eastern within Aussie Ark. Crash is just one cryptic creature of the wet sclerophyll
Bettong), Vulnerable new Southern Brown Bandicoot forests of southern NSW. This
(Southern Brown contributing to a larger population of herbivorous wallaby is currently
Bandicoot) Bandicoots scheduled for release in listed as near threatened with the
early 2019 into Aussie Ark Sanctuaries. IUCN and vulnerable in NSW.

We have also welcomed our very first It’s a huge milestone and wonderful
Parma Wallaby joey. achievement to have bred our first
Parma Wallaby.

Southern Brown
Bandicoot babies

Aussie Ark

STATE: SA Survey work on Kangaroo Island to find Wallabies, Superb Fairy-wrens,
the elusive Kangaroo Island Dunnart is Western Pygmy Possum, as well as the
SPECIES: Kangaroo still in its infancy. However, we are threatened Kangaroo Island Echidna,
Island Dunnart pleased to report an early success. Rosenberg’s Goanna and the Southern
In mid-April the little dasyurid marsupial Brown Bandicoot just to name a few.
SPECIES STATUS: (carnivorous mammal) was caught
Endangered on one of the wildlife cameras. The Kangaroo Island Dunnart’s current
distribution and population on the Island is
Private landholders on Kangaroo unknown and difficult to estimate, yet this
Island are supportive of the cause and early success may change this entirely.
welcomed Kangaroo Island Land for Over 5000 hectares of suitable Dunnart
Wildlife (LfW) onto their land in the hope habitat will be surveyed over the next
of finding the small, nocturnal dasyurid. 12 months, with the wonderful support
of Kangaroo Island private landholders
An astounding amount of animal activity who work hard protecting habitat for
has been recorded on camera so far - threatened species conservation.
including Brush-tailed Possums, Tammar
Kangaroo Island Dunnart
Photo credit: Jody Gates

Finding the elusive
Kangaroo Island
Dunnart

25 YEARS OF SAVING OUR ENDANGERED FLORA AND FAUNA 9

Species Profile: Genetic incompatability can
be overcome by producing
Gouldian Finch predominantly male offspring.
(Pryke and Griffiths, 2009)

http://www.birdlife.org.au/bird-profile/gouldian-finch The Gouldian Finch Its native habitat is tropical Conservation and Recovery
http://www.wwf.org.au/what-we-do/species/gouldian-finch#gs.u21nRG8 (Erythrura gouldiae), also savannah woodlands and
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gouldian_finch known as Lady Gouldian is geographically found Gouldian Finches are
Finch, Gould’s Finch or within the northern parts susceptible to viruses and
•••• PrykeSR&GriffithSC(2009)Geneticincompatibilitydrivessexallocationandmaternalinvestmentinapolymorphicfinch. Rainbow Finch, was first of Australia, on Cape York diseases, which has seen
Science, 323, 1605-1607. discovered by John Gould, Peninsula, in the Northern a decline in populations
who surveyed much of the Territory and in the Kimberley over decades. Because
native flora and fauna of region of Western Australia. of their beautiful colours,
Australia in the 1840s. He they are attractive, stand
named the finch in tribute Unlike other Australian out and can therefore be
to his late wife, Elizabeth. finches that nest in shrubs caught easily by predators.
and vegetation, Gouldian
The Gouldian Finch is a finch pairs will nest in tree The biggest threat to the
small bird, possibly the most hollows or holes in termite species are fires. Intense
spectacularly coloured bird nests. Both parents share fires at the wrong times of
native to Australia, with a the incubating and brooding year can wipe out trees and
green back, yellow belly and duties. Outside of breeding hollows used for nestings,
purple breast. There are season, Gouldian Finches and food-rich grasslands
three separate forms of the will join mixed flocks of - thus destroying the
species – a common black other finch species to habitats and populations
head, a red head and a rare deter predators by the at the same time.
gold or yellow head. Younger sheer volume of birds.
Gouldian Finches are dull Recovery plans are aimed
grey in colour. Tremendously Female Gouldian Finches at conserving the natural
popular for captive breeding, control the sex of their habitat of the Gouldian
current wild populations offspring by choosing a mate Finch, in particular from
of the Gouldian Finch are according to head colour. the devastating toll wildfire
estimated to be 2,500 and Interestingly, research has is causing on the species.
declining. It is currently listed shown there can be up to WWF is currently funding a
as endangered under the an 80% mortality rate for project to conduct controlled
Environment Protection and female offspring in mixed burning at the beginning of
Biodiversity Conservation head-coloured pairings. the dry season to stop the
Act 1999 (EPBC Act 1999). spread of late season fires.

Into the future, more work
is necessary to promote a
program with landholders
about land management
to conserve the habitat
of the Gouldian Finch if
we are to preserve this
beautiful bird species
for future generations.

If you have any interesting
stories about the Gouldian
Finch, we would love
to hear about them on
our Facebook page.

10

FAME’s new organisations in the Pilbara as well as in Tony Hume
charity and educational environments.
Board Director,
Tony’s strengths include strategy,
Tony Hume philanthropic giving, organisational
growth, communications, individual and
In April 2018, FAME announced group training, business development
the appointment of Tony Hume and management effectiveness
as a new Director to the Board. reviews. He has led teams of several
Based in Western Australia Tony hundred, as well as doing individual
brings to the Company a wealth of coaching and mentoring.
experience in fundraising, corporate
governance and indigenous affairs. Noted for his strategic thinking and
ability to network, Tony founded
Tony has extensive senior leadership Eclipse Solutions to enable more
experience in the commercial, not- organisations to reach their potential.
for-profit, higher education and
health sectors. Tony also has active As a national organisation, FAME is
Directorship roles in Indigenous pleased with the appointment of Tony as
its inaugural Western Australia Director.

Our first ever in-flight bird shows. The team at Raptor and Leeza Irwin and KI Mayor, Peter
Domain are passionate, engaging and Clements, spoke to the audience about
FAME Day at so very skilled at what they do at both the importance of preserving native
handling birds and presenting to an species and the good work that FAME is
Raptor Domain audience. The underlying theme of their undertaking with the projects it supports.
shows is environmental education and
Earlier this year, Raptor Domain, conservation, done brilliantly every time. Already being talked about is how we
an environmental education and can make FAME Day a yearly event,
rehabilitation facility on Kangaroo For the month of April, Raptor Domain expanding to a wider involvement in
Island (KI), approached FAME with an has been proactively promoting the the community in the community to
ambitious idea to hold a FAME Day – mission of FAME and its work to help raise awareness of the many other,
to raise awareness of the Foundation raise awareness of the Foundation. and in some case, little-known,
and its work, particularly on KI, and Over $1000 was raised and generously threatened species native to KI.
in the process, make a donation donated by Raptor Domain to FAME.
contribution to the Foundation. What a wonderful way to celebrate
FAME Board Director Bruce Jackson was FAME’s 25th Anniversary.
The first FAME Day was held on Saturday on hand to accept the donation cheque
21 April at Raptor Domain on KI. Raptor that was elaborately hidden in an emu On behalf of the Board and Management
Domain is world-renowned for its egg, which Slim the Black-breasted at FAME, thank you, Raptor Domain.
Buzzard cracked open with a rock! Dave

FAME Day at Raptor Domain on Kangaroo Island. Photo credit: Stan Gorton, The Islander. 11
25 YEARS OF SAVING OUR ENDANGERED FLORA AND FAUNA

Celebrating 25 years
of FAME

In our 25th year, we have released a limited
edition 750mL stainless steel, insulated water
bottle in matte black with laser etching detail.
To purchase, please contact
[email protected]
or telephone +618 8374 1744.

$35ea*

Credit Card Authority Total amount Nearly 1 million plastic beverage bottles are sold every minute.
Number of bottles ($35 each) 9 million tons of plastic waste ends up in the ocean every year.
Support FAME and help the plastic pollution problem.
Please debit my Mastercard Visa
(Source: National Geographic – Planet or Plastic)
Cardholder’s Name
Signature
Card Number Name
Postal Address
Expiry Date | CCV
Telephone
Email

*Postage included within Australia. Please allow 8 weeks for delivery from date of order.

To make a donation, or give to an individual project, visit fame.org.au, or detach
and complete this form and return back to us in the supplied envelope.

Donation Form T 08 8374 1744
E [email protected]
Yes, I would like to assist FAME to continue
their work in making a difference to the survival Level 1, 47 Tynte Street
of endangered Australian species. North Adelaide 5006, SA
ABN 79 154 823 579
$50 $100 $150 $250 or $
fame.org.au
Please direct my support to the following: The Foundation for Australia’s
Most Endangered Species
Projects presented and chosen by the FAME Board that (FAME) acknowledges the
best advance FAME’s vision. traditional owners of country
throughout Australia and their
Title Mr / Mrs / Miss / Ms / Dr / Other continuing connection to
land, sea and community.
First Name Surname We pay our respects to them
and their cultures and to their
Street Address elders both past
and present.
Suburb State Postcode Printed on paper sourced
from sustainable forests and
Home Telephone Work Telephone wrapped in biodegradable
plastic.
Mobile Email
Thank you
Payment Method for your
support!
Cheque/money order enclosed and made payable to ‘FAME Ltd’.
Credit Card

Please debit my Mastercard Visa

Card Number / CCV
Expiry Date

Name Signature

or Online at www.fame.org.au/donate to choose your
particular project of choice.

Direct deposit:

Foundation for Australia’s Most Endangered Species Ltd
BSB: 105-079 Account Number: 049889540
Please email the details of your deposit with the date, amount and reference to: [email protected]

I prefer that this donation remains anonymous.

Please send me a FAME car sticker.
Please send me information on donating share dividends to FAME.
Please send me information about how to help FAME’s endangered species work through my will.

*All donations over $2 are tax-deductible and we will send you a tax receipt. OTB2, 2018

25 Years of Spiny Daisy Long-nosed
Potaroo
Highlights Recovering the Spiny Daisy,
translocation and site A trial translocation of
FAME projects since 1993 management. Long-nosed Potaroo
Bool Poole Peninsula.
25 years ago, a foundation with a vision was Partners: DEWNR
established. From its humble beginnings to now, FAME 2008 – 2009
continues to support on-ground conservation projects 2008 – 2010
to save our precious endangered flora and fauna.

During 2018 we have highlighted many of the projects
we have been involved in throughout our 25 years;
here are a few more.

Western Barred Long-nosed Millicent High Mahogany Glider
Bandicoot Potaroo
School Native Fish Mahogany Glider recovery
Supplementary release of Translocating 12 Long-nosed post Cyclone Yasi, installation
Western Barred Bandicoot into Potaroos to Booderee Breeding Program and monitoring of nests
the Arid Recovery Reserve. National Park from Cape boxes and feeding station.
Conran Coastal Park. Protect Yarra Pygmy Perch genetic
2009 stock in Lake Bonney, establish 2011
2009 – 2010 captive breeding program.

2010 – 2013

Mt Rothwell River Black Fish Bridled Nailtail Devil Ark
Wallaby
Education and animal husbandry Recovery of the River Black FAME and the Australian
facilities for endangered Fish at Rodwell Creek in SA. Recovery of the three Reptile Park are working
native species recovery. remaining wild populations together to create a large
Partners: DEWNR of Bridled Nailtail Wallabies scale breeding program for
Partners: Department of Sustainability in central Queensland. the endangered Tasmanian
and Environment Victoria 2011 – 2012 Devil on mainland Australia.
Partners: Bridled Nailtail Wallaby Trust
2011 – 2012 2007 – Present
2012 – 2013

Cover: Kangaroo Island Dunnart
Photo credit: Jody Gates