By KATH GANNAWAY
FRIENDS of the Helmeted Honeyeater (FOHH) has been recognised for 25 years of achievement at the 2015 Zoos Victoria’s Hall of Fame Awards.
The group, which has 200 members and is based at the Yellingbo Nature Reserve, was awarded the Honorary Life Achievement Award.
Melbourne Zoo’s Leopard Lodge was transformed into a forest wonderland in celebration of Victoria’s bird emblem, the Helmeted Honeyeater for the awards which were attended by Premier Daniel Andrews, the Hon Alex Chernov AC QC, Governor of Victoria, Mrs Elizabeth Chernov, and Minister for Environment, Climate Change and Water Lisa Neville.
The Hall of Fame celebrates the outstanding people and supportive organisations that have made a significant contribution to Zoos Victoria.
Premier Daniel Andrews presented the Honorary Life Achievement Award to the Friends of the Helmeted Honeyeater for the group’s tireless work in the recovery of the iconic Victorian species.
In addition to the Lifetime Achievement Award, Charles Tegner of the Merrin Foundation was awarded the Fighting Extinction Award for his work supporting Zoos Victoria’s Helmeted Honeyeater breeding program.
FOHH was represented at the awards dinner by Environmental co-ordinator James Frazer and secretary Marita Hanigan.
Ms Hanigan thanked Zoos Victoria and the many government and funding orgnaisations who contributed to the work of FOHH.
Included were founder the late Steve Craig and president Bob Anderson and vice- president Richard Case, who have been active members for the life of the group.
She also recognised field ornithologist Bruce Quin.
“Without his 22-plus years of work, we would not have had the good outcomes we are now looking at,” she said.
Ms Hanigan said, “80,000 plants don’t grow themselves,” acknowledging the work of the nursery staff and volunteers.
Her ‘biggest thanks’ went to all the volunteers and members.
“I am very proud of them all and what collectively we have achieved,” she said.
Both Premier Andrews and Minister Neville acknowledged the role of volunteers, staff and other organisations saying it was their outstanding work that made Victorian zoos the best in Australia.
