thank you ceremony -
a time to thank those who have helped the community protect the cassowary

While the Cassowary festival was a community celebration of the exceptional natural environment of Mission Beach, the community wanted to  thank  some of those who have made a significant contribution to cassowary conservation  within their professional capacity.  Dr Graham Lauridsen gave an informative  talk on cassowary management and told stories from his personal experience as the foremost cassowary veterinary professional.

Peter Garrett, the Threatened Species Commissioner,  Bob Irwin and  Qld Trust for Nature were not able to  join us for the day. They sent us  the following  messages of support.

Dr Graham Lauridsen

GREGORY ANDREWS
(Threatened Species Commissioner)

While attending the  World Cassowary Day event held at Mission Beach in 2015 Gregory was overwhelmed with the experience of seeing his first cassowary.
He was so impressed with the commitment and passion of the Mission Beach community to protect the cassowary, he recommended it be placed on the Federal Government's 20 birds priority action list.  Gregory continues to work closely with the Wet Tropics  communities  overseeing the actions initiated to remove the cassowary from the endangered list by 2020.

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PETER GARRETT

While in the role of Federal Environment minister, Peter Garrett used the EPBC Act to deny development on Lot 66 because of the  significant impact it would  have on the endangered cassowary. Lot 66 is a crucial lot, connecting the Wet Tropics  and  Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Areas in the heart of Mission Beach.

It is now known  locally as the 'Garrett Corridor'.

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BOB IRWIN:
 
"I would like to take the time to wish everyone a successful Cassowary Festival in Mission Beach. I am constantly inspired and encouraged by the work of the Mission Beach Community in advocating for greater protection of one of Australia’s most unique and special animals. I applaud everyone who has turned out today to highlight the plight of this iconic animal and for unifying as a community for such an important cause.

Mission Beach will always hold a very special place in my heart because you are a unique community who not only work together for the conservation of a species but also the protection of critical habitat. Mission Beach, in my eyes, is a wonderful ambassador for the cassowary and I only hope that other communities right across Australia can take a leaf out of your book and follow along your many wonderful achievements for our wildlife.

It never ceases to amaze me when I’m out on the road how many people come up to me and say, ‘But Bob, I’m only one person. I can’t do anything.’ Well those people are wrong, because one person can do a hell of a lot. Nature is very resilient if we give it half a chance and Mission Beach is a wonderful example of that

Wishing you a successful day of raising awareness. I look forward to my next visit to Mission Beach and the far north"

QUEENSLAND TRUST FOR NATURE (QTFN)

While  Peter Garrett denied development on Lot 66 it was still not formally protected.  QTFN partnered  with the Community for Coastal and Cassowary Conservation (C4) financially assisting the local  conservation group to buy back the rain forest /essential cassowary habitat block.