Diary Page

July 2006

Green Ribbon Campaign gives Government 6,000 reasons to support the Sanctuary

Thank you to everyone who signed a green ribbon in support of Government funding for the Sanctuary’s proposed Visitor & Education Centre. The campaign, which was spearheaded by Wellington List MP Mark Blumsky, has motivated nearly 6,000 people to sign green ribbons.

These ribbons are currently on display along the central reservation of Lambton Quay - a visible expression of the City’s support for a project that has significant local, regional and national benefits. They will later be presented in Parliament as a demonstration of Wellingtonians’ disappointment at the Government’s decision.

The campaign has received support from across the political spectrum, with Labour MP Marian Hobbs, Act MP Heather Roy and Green Party co-leader Russel Norman all turning out to sign and tie up the ribbons.

• Read more about the Visitor & Education Centre project in the lead story in the latest Kereru newsletter (pdf, 1 Mb).

Small change, big help

Use your old coins to support the Sanctuary

Wondering what to do with all your old silver coins? With the tuatara and kiwi disappearing from our small change, the Sanctuary is collecting the old 5c, 10c, 20c and 50c coins to ensure these iconic species only vanish from our pockets and not for real! (More…)

Help us by signing a green ribbon

Mark Blumsky & Kerry Prendergast Photo © Dominion Post

The Sanctuary was disappointed to be advised that we were unsuccessful with our application to the Government’s Significant Community-based Project Fund for $6m towards our new Visitor & Education Centre project.

We sincerely thank all those people who have shown their support of the Sanctuary’s Visitor & Education Centre project by writing to the Prime Minister, Ministers and Dominion Post.

Many members and supporters have asked how else they can get involved, so we would like to draw your attention to the Green Ribbon Campaign, which has been launched by one of the project’s strongest advocates, former Sanctuary board member and List MP, Mark Blumsky.

Mark is encouraging members of the public to sign their name on a piece of green ribbon which will be displayed in a prominent location before being presented to Government. While letters and emails are certainly effective, we feel that the Green Ribbon Campaign is the best way of making community support for the Sanctuary project visible.

• Find out how to sign a green ribbon (pdf 29 kB)

Bug Day
Saturday 15 July, 11am-3pm

Cook Strait giant weta Photo by Tom Lynch

For close encounters of the creepy-crawly kind, don’t miss Bug Day on Saturday 15 July (Rain date: Sunday 16 July). Professor George Gibbs from Victoria University will be bringing along one of the world’s heaviest insects, the mouse-sized giant weta, and doing a series of talks about these gentle giants, as well as some of our other bizarre bugs.

Join our guides on a ‘minibeast safari’, check into our weta hotels and brave the cave weta in the old goldmine – if you dare! There will also be hot soup and plenty of activities for the kids, including a ‘flying visit’ from the Forest Fairy!

Quiz Evening 2006
Saturday, 15 July 2006. 7pm for a 7.30 start

Yes, it’s that time of year again. The Sanctuary’s favourite annual fundraiser is taking place very soon, and tables are selling fast! So whether you’re a wise old owl, or more of a birdbrain, start exercising those little grey cells and get yourself a table.

Make up a table of 8, or let us place you with others to fill a table. Entry is $15 per person. Supper will be provided, but bring your own drinks! There will be raffles to win, bargains to buy and laughs-a-plenty. And don’t worry – there’ll be a range of questions on topics familiar to all of us.

To book your ticket, contact the Sanctuary on 920 9206 or email quizme@sanctuary.org.nz.

There are also plenty of opportunities to sponsor a table, sponsor a round of questions or donate items for auction or raffle.

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