Latest branch news

NEW MEMBERS:

 Firstly,  I would like to welcome Amy, Kate, Linda, Kiala, Monique and Paul to our Branch ... it is fabulous that you have joined us and I look forward to seeing you at the workshop if you can make it (Sunday 15 December).

 RESCUES/REHAB UPDATE

 We have had another busy few weeks with the pelicans... many affected by botulism.  Betty has five in care at the moment and I would like to particularly thank Julie for all her support - she has been assisting Betty on a daily basis with medications/feeding and the general housekeeping which is required.

 We have also had a big effort by Shari and Shaun during the past few weeks with a range of rescues.... thanks guys.  Many of our members have been working as a team when needed - fantastic work!

 As previously mentioned, if you have a spare afternoon or day that you are able to assist and/or undertake a proactive please call Betty on the ASR hotline  0431282238 - I don't want to see Betty burnout.... we all know what the consequences would be if that occurred.  The Christmas period is going to be a challenge as many of us will be away and I would like to arrange for Betty to have a few days without the phone... we will need to discuss this at the meeting.

 WARRAWONG BBQ

 I would like to thank Lidia, John, Michael, Fulvia, Kay, Leonie, Tess, Kath and Jennifer for running the BBQ at Bunnings, Warrawong, we banked approximately $1100, which is a fantastic effort! 

  JOINT CLEANUP:  14 December 2013:  Longbeach North, Beecroft Peninsula, Currarong:  11am

 Please don't forget that we have organised a joint cleanup with ORRCA, Marine Mammal Rescue & Responsible Runners, Jervis Bay on 14 December -  bring a picnic lunch if you are able to hang around to talk to our friends from other wildlife rescue organisations.

 Let me know if you can attend as I will be taking my car and have some spare seats.

 ASR WORKSHOP FOR NEW MEMBERS/REFRESHER FOR CURRENT MEMBERS:  Sunday 15 December 2013

 I am  conducting a workshop for new members on Sunday, 15 December at the Port Kembla Sailing Club near Berkeley Boat ramp from 9.15am to 3pm... so if you require a refresher (every two years) please let me know and you can participate in this workshop.

 BRANCH MEETING:  Monday, 16 December 2013

 The last meeting of the year is on Monday, 16 December at the Illawarra Yacht Club -  so come along for a quick meeting; light refreshments and a social chat.  It is a pity our southern friends are a bit too far away to join us..... but we certainly acknowledge all the work that people do and I will make every effort to come down the coast to catch up in the new year!

 Kirsten

 

Marine Incident Response for Wildlife - free seminar

Sept 25 Wollongong – Marine Incident Response for Wildlife

“Be prepared”

YOUR INVITATION TO AN IMPORTANT CONVERSATION
HOW CAN OUR COMMUNITY RESPOND EFFECTIVELY TO AN OIL SPILL INCIDENT?

Please join us at Wollongong at
The Illawarra Yacht Club
1 Northcliffe Drive
Warrawong

SUNDAY 25 SEPTEMBER 2011 : 9.00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Morning and afternoon tea provided, lunch BYO.

There have been six oil spills along east coast over the last decade, three of those occurring in the past two years. The most recent was the 12 tonne oil spill in Newcastle Harbour from a coal ship in August last year. With our marine coast being a superhighway for supertankers and the Pacific Highway carrying numerous fuel-laden semi-trailers, disasters can happen anywhere anytime at any scale. The boy scout adage to “be prepared” is key to effective community response.

I have been involved in several oil spills at various levels, both here and overseas. On the one hand I have seen a community working well to support a relatively small oil spill here in Australia (“Iron Baron”, Tasmania 1995); and on the other hand, at the catastrophic Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill last year, I saw coastal communities confused, hostile and devastated.
With concern about the preparedness of NSW coastal communities, I believe that we can be better prepared and organised. In order to raise awareness and get some conversations going about effective integrated response, Australian Seabird Rescue (ASR) sought and received funding assistance from the NSW Environmental Education Trust. With additional funding from the Lance Ferris Memorial Trust, ASR is now hosting five free public seminars along the NSW coast at Ballina, Pt Macquarie, Newcastle, Sydney, Wollongong.
It’s not just about trained service personnel or the precious few trained wildlife rescuers who are well prepared to respond, but anyone who would want to help but isn’t sure how. Any incident, large or small, will be managed primarily by highly trained personnel but communities want to help, want to protect and restore their environment, and the best way they can do that is to become informed about how it all works.

The fifth and final workshop in this series will be held at in Wollongong at The Illawarra Yacht Club on Sunday September 25th.

Key speakers include ASR President, Marny Bonner who will discuss capture techniques and first aid; also NPWS Marine Fauna Co-ordinator, Geoff Ross. Other speakers will cover topics such as bird species at risk in the Sydney region.

We hope to see you there. Refreshments will be provided but BYO lunch.

Please register by email to: admin@seabirdrescue.org
or by phoning ASR during office hours on: +61 02 66 862 852.

Pelican & Seabird Rescue Workshop - reminder, this Saturday.

PELICAN & SEABIRD RESCUE WORKSHOP

WHEN:   Saturday 3rd September 2011

WHERE:   Illawarra Yacht Club, Northcliffe Drive, Warrawong

TIME:  8.45am registration 9.00am – 4.30pm

Pelican & Seabird Rescue Workshop

THE PLIGHT OF

 THE PELICANS…

PELICAN & SEABIRD RESCUE WORKSHOP

WHEN:   Saturday 3rd September 2011

WHERE:   Illawarra Yacht Club, Northcliffe Drive, Warrawong

TIME:  8.45am registration 9.00am – 4.30pm

Topics covered include:

Ø  Understanding pelicans, recognising/locating injured pelicans, handling, first-aid.

Ø  Capture techniques for pelicans that can still fly (and any bird that can be lured).

Ø  Seabird handling and first-aid; and rehabilitation issues for pelicans and seabirds.

Note:  There will be a field session where you will be in contact with birds

Pelicans and other seabirds are frequently injured by accidental hooking.  The hooks do not simply rust away, and fishing line can sever limbs and wings.

If left unattended, these injuries can cause infection, gangrene/loss of limbs and a slow, painful death.

If you’d like to learn how to rescue  these beautiful big birds and become a member of Australian Seabird Rescue, or learn more about pelicans
and
other
seabirds,
 come along.

COST:   $30.00 - Includes morning/afternoon teas, & comprehensive manual,

TO REGISTER Phone:  Rhonda 0431 282 238 or Email: seabirdrescue@optusnet.com.au