Australian Wildlife Conservancy

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AWC-Optus Corporate Partnership

In 2007, Optus and Australian Wildlife Conservancy (AWC) proudly joined forces to form an innovative new partnership aimed at helping to save some of Australia’s most threatened wildlife. Since then, Optus’ investment in the protection of our endangered species has grown along with our partnership.

In addition to providing generous funding for important projects aimed at protecting endangered species, Optus is helping AWC to raise public awareness about Australia’s threatened wildlife and deliver a serious conservation message to millions of Australians around the country. Together we are delivering practical conservation outcomes where they really count – in the field.

Projects to have already benefited under our partnership include:

Saving threatened Purple-crowned Fairy-wrens in the Kimberley;
Protecting endangered Yellow-footed Rock-wallabies in the Flinders Ranges;
Supporting AWC’s acquisition and creation of the largest private reserve in Australia at Kalamurina Wildlife Sanctuary; and
Helping AWC to save the threatened wildlife of Cape York at Piccaninny Plains Wildlife Sanctuary.

Optus staff are also supporting our partnership through workplace giving and peer-to-peer fundraising initiatives that are making a difference to the future of Australia’s unique wildlife.

Demonstrating the strength of our partnership, when AWC’s diesel generator-based power system failed at Scotia Wildlife Sanctuary, Optus came to the rescue. A specific grant of over $90,000 from Optus helped AWC establish a new solar power array, restoring and greening our power supply and reducing our operating costs. The resulting cost savings are now being invested in AWC’s globally significant Endangered Mammal Recovery Project at Scotia which is helping to save seven of the world’s rarest mammals from extinction.

Although our partnership is still young, Optus, together with its staff and customers have already invested over $720,000 in helping AWC to save wildlife. Optus has also helped deliver a compelling conservation message to millions of Australians around the country.

The attention of our partnership is now focused on addressing the rapid decline of small mammals in northern Australia including by helping to protect the threatened wildlife of the Gulf of Carpentaria at AWC’s Pungalina-Seven Emu Wildlife Sanctuary.

As part of our partnership, Optus has built an interactive, educational website called Shape Our World. To find out more, or to become a member, visit Shape Our World.

To find out more about Optus supported AWC projects, please click on the links below:

Saving the threatened wildlife of the Gulf of Carpentaria:
Pungalina – Seven Emu Wildlife Sanctuary

Saving the threatened wildlife of Cape York:
Piccaninny Plains Wildlife Sanctuary

AWC-Optus Corporate Partnership

Yellow-footed Rock-wallaby :

Purple-crowned Fairy-wren :

Helping create Australia's largest non-government sanctuary