Location: Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Event: World Animal Day Gala Ball
Organiser: RSPCA Victoria

To celebrate World Animal Day, RSPCA Victoria held its annual World Animal Day Gala Ball at the Grand Hyatt Melbourne.  We raised over AUD$170,000 for animal welfare and adoption services from this important event.

This year's programme included:
* Sumptuous three course dinner of fine food
* Superb wines provided by leading wine maker Tyrrell's Wines
* Live music and after dinner dancing
* Quality gifts for each of our guests
* Surprise entertainment & celebrity guests
* A traditional live auction with top quality overseas holidays, electrical & sporting goods.
* A silent auction featuring a large range of items from leading suppliers
* A special visit from some of the RSPCA's most lovable clients

And our auction items included:
* The private island and luxury playground of W Retreat & Spa, Fesdu Island, Maldives
* Exotic 5 star pampering at the world famous Turtle Island, Fiji
* Relaxation or activity holiday on the magical island of Espiritu Santo, Vanuatu
* Deluxe weekend city escape packages in Melbourne and Sydney staying at one of the Saville Hotel apartments
* Other Hotel and Bed & Breakfast accommodation packages
* Photography gift certificates
* Designer Clothing
* Canoe Safari
* We also have terrific bedroom, kitchen, outdoor, entertainment, electronic and lifestyle products....... and so much more!

The Gala Ball event was an exciting night filled with entertainment.  So come and join us at next years Gala Ball to help all creatures great and small. 
Jaime Noye, Events & Communications, RSPCA Victoria

Location: Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Event: World Animal Day Benefit Concert
Organiser: Volunteers, Animals Australia

The World Animal Day Benefit Concert held on October 6th 2007 was a wonderful, successful and well-attended event. The concert was a local community initiative bringing together animal groups and campaigns, environment groups, community and cultural groups in support of animals.

In particular, the concert was a fundraiser and all funds were donated to Animals Australia to support their campaigns but it was also a great opportunity for like-minded people to come together in this way.

It was an uplifting and educational event which aimed to: raise awareness of animal issues; highlight current campaigns of key animal rights/welfare groups; encourage people to recognise the precious place animals have in our lives and to think about how we as humans relate to animals; and to promote respect and compassion for animals and all of life.

The concert was held at the Fitzroy Town Hall and it was supported by: the City Of Yarra, who provided the venue at subsidised cost and helped with advertising; Animals Australia, who supported the event with advertising, volunteer help and general support; and the Winsome Constance Kindness Trust. All involved gave generous, kind and enthusiastic support for the event.

The event began at 4pm with information stalls, vegan and vegetarian food & refreshments provided by 'Lentil As Anything', drumming and dance with Mik Vella & Shisha performance group. There was enthusiastic involvement by all participating groups: Lentil As Anything, Animals Australia, Vegetarian Network Victoria, Coalition Against Duck Shooting, Animal Active, Sea Shepherd, Lawyers For Animals, Dogaid, Choose Cruelty Free.

The concert opened at 6pm with a Wurunjeri welcome and MC Mark Donnedu from Victorian Vegetarian Network. The concert featured fantastic performers: Tania Bosak; The Greensingers; Jane Belfrage Harpist; Melbourne Ukulele Kollective M.U.K; Dancers- Maria Sangiorgi & the Daughters of Isis; Phil Gresik – Day Of Clint; Jade Leonard and The Curious Few who carried the night out with rock music and the audience dancing.

A highlight of the concert were guest speakers Glenys Oogjes from Animals Australia and Phil Wollen from Winsome Constance Kindness Trust - both work tirelessly for the rights of animals and in support of community initiatives, and who gave wonderful and empowering speeches about the situation of animals here in Australia and worldwide and provided alternative ways of living, being and acting.

The whole event was organised and run by volunteers who did a wonderful job, co-ordinating their efforts and working enthusiastically. Without them the concert would not have been possible so many thanks go to the volunteers and all of the performers and participating groups. The concert achieved its aims with a wonderful level of involvement by volunteers, participating groups, performers, speakers and community groups.

We look forward to another wonderful event for 2008!

To view a pdf file of the poster advertising the event please click here

Location: Arapawa Island, New Zealand
Event: Island Welcomes Group Visit
Organiser: Arapawa Wildlife Sanctuary

In celebration of World Animal Day, a large boatload of 55 people visited the island which is home to three rare breeds of sheep, goats and pigs. Arapawa Island sits at the top of the South Island of New Zealand in the Marlborough Sounds. The visitors were delightful and thoroughly enjoyed hearing the history of how these unique breeds survived into the 21st Century. They gave a big round of applause and absolutely loved holding Mischief, my baby Arapawa goat.
It was hugely successful and the leader of the group has scheduled more visits in the coming year.
Hugs Betty Rowe. My late husband and I established a Charitable Trust to ensure the animals will always have a home on the island and the area will remain a wilderness. Mischief enjoys yet another cuddle!

Location: Willowmavin, Victoria, Australia
Event: Anniversary Celebration
Organiser: Edgar's Mission Farm Sanctuary

Throwing open their barn doors is proving highly successful for Willowmavin's unique farm sanctuary Edgar's Mission. With around 500 people coming from near and far to attend what is now recognised as a world wide event - World Animal Day. The day began with a special meditation for the animals led by Sylvia Ahern, ably assisted by Edgar Alan Pig who offered a few grunts at appropriate times followed by many thought provoking, informative and delicious activities. "Today has far exceeded our expectations and I am enormously proud of the dedicated and committed volunteers who have worked tirelessly to make this event happen. It is the first time we have had a silent auction..... and this worked extremely well ........" enthused Edgar's Mission Founder Pam Ahern.

After greeting those gathered, Pam stated that "people don't realise, or care to realise, that animals have their own unique language along with rich emotional lives. Never bothering to learn what makes an animal happy or sad, seeing farm animals in particular as mere production units. What defines us as human beings is how we treat those at our mercy.......".

Edgar's Mission was fortunate to secure a major sponsor, Australia Ethical Investment Ltd, for this year's event with Executive Director, James Their, heading south from Canberra for Sunday's event. James spoke of the need to not only consider how our direct actions affect others, including animals, but also how our invested funds do as well. As with last year's event, Edgar's Mission boasted an impressive and eloquent line up of speakers. This year saw vet and 3AW presenter Dr Jack Ayerbe, Animals Australia Executive Director Glenys Oojes, and Victoria's Australian of the Year Phil Wollen OAM take to the "Kindness" podium stump.

With vegan cooking demonstrations taking place throughout the day and a delicious and nutritious vegan barbeque lunch providing positive proof that one can lead a happy and healthy life without harming others. Edgar's Activity Centre was immensely popular as children found creative ways to express their love of all animals. A farm tour and screening of the incredibly moving "Peaceable Kingdom" would up the day. And as the sun set on Edgar's Mission, the eponymous Edgar Alan Pig waddled off to bed well pleased he had done his bit to make the world a better place.
Photo: Meeting a movie star - Daisy Pig Phil Wollen, Shirley and Pam Ahern
To view a pdf file of the poster advertising the event please click here

Location: Adelaide, Australia
Event: World Animal Day in the Park
Organiser: Animal Welfare League of South Australia

Our first event took place on 4th October. World Animal Day in the Park was a promotion in partnership with local radio station Mix 102.3 and Pestock Animal Supplies.

An outside broadcast was conducted at Rymill Park in the centre of Adelaide with the public invited along for coffee and muffins and encouraged to bring their pet along.  Prizes were given for cutest pet, smartest pet and pet/owner look alike competition. It was fabulous fun for everyone including our four-legged friends.

Location: Adelaide, Australia
Event: 'Dogz Dinner'
Organisers: Animal Welfare League of South Austalia

The AWL’s inaugural black-tie gala fundraiser the ‘Dogz Dinner’ took place on Friday 5th October and feedback from those in attendance has been extremely positive – with many people already requesting tickets for next year.

On arrival at the Hyatt Adelaide Ballroom, guests were greeted by four stunning Bernese Mountain Dogs and their handlers who generously donated their time (and their dog’s warm tongues and wagging tails) to provide a furry guard of honour as attendees enjoyed quality pre-dinner drinks kindly supplied by the entirely appropropriate ‘Dogz Wines’.

The evening was hosted by Channel Seven’s Melody Horrill and Murray Nicoll who introduced the sensational opening act the String Diva’s, three of Australia’s leading string performers, who had the audience clapping and singing along as they performed a number of violin classics – but with a little extra oomph! 

Magician Ben Hutton also wowed the audience with his clever magic and amusing commentary.  Toop and Toop auctioneer Mike Rogers donated his services on the night to auction a variety of hot ticket items such as Qantas flights to NZ, a BMW for the weekend, an exciting Heliair scenic helicopter ride and one of the most hotly bid on items for the evening; a personalized dolphin tour with local dolphin expert, Dr Mike Bossley.

Those who missed out on the major auction items had over 90 silent auction items to chose from with a combined value of some $30,000 all donated from the organisations and individuals highlighted on this page.  Our sincere thanks goes to each of them for their generous support of this inaugural fundraising dinner.

The antics of Chad Romero and Cabernet Cabaret provided a fitting finale which saw the dance floor packed for the final hour of the evening.

A special thanks to the Dogz Dinner official sponsors; Petstock, Staging Connections, Channel 7, Dogz Wines, Messenger Community newspapers, Cinch Marketing, Concord Printing & CPI and to all guests who came along to support this inaugural gala fundraiser.  Over $44,000 was raised on the night.

Location: Australia
Event: IFAW Action Awards
Organiser: International Fund for Animal Welfare

IFAW celebrated World Animal Day with a number of activities and events taking place during the first week of October. In Australia, awards were presented to five Action Award winners, nominated for their great work for animals. Director Mick McIntyre visited each of the winners in their hometown, presenting the awards in special local ceremonies. The winners of the 2007 IFAW Action Awards are:

Linda Dennis – Award for Animal Welfare and Education
Linda Dennis was recognised for her work to educate others on the care of injured and orphaned wildlife. Her website contains information about how to care for native wildlife, and makes this information available to anyone, from the everyday person who might stop to check the pouch on a kangaroo killed on the road, through to licensed wildlife carers wanting more information on a species they might have limited experience with.  Linda also runs the Fourth Crossing Wildlife Refuge near Orange, NSW, which provides safe habitat for rehabilitated wildlife to be released back into the wild in, and monitored.

Kate Dixon, ACT Rescue and Foster Inc – Award for Animal Welfare in the Community
Kate Dixon was recognised for her work with ARF in rescuing and rehoming hundreds of dogs in the ACT region, and educating people about responsible pet ownership.  ARF plays a vital role in saving the lives of abandoned dogs that would otherwise put down, and under Kate’s leadership, they’ve helped lower the euthanasia rate at the ACT DAS Animal Shelter from 25 per cent in 2002 to 3.3 per cent in 2007.  She also fundraises to cover the desexing, vaccination and microchipping of every dog rehomed.

Dr John Butler – Award for an Outstanding Contribution from a Vet
Dr Butler was nominated for his dedication to providing quality vet care for injured wildlife, which he has done in the Gippsland region of Victoria for almost 30 years. Dr Butler has helped in the rescue and rehabilitation of many native animals, from common to endangered species. He is very well respected by local wildlife carers and is known to go “beyond the call of duty”, providing treatment such as x-rays, ultrasounds and pathology at his own expense. Photo: Dr Butler and his team at the Morwell Veterinary Clinic.

Noah’s Legacy – Award for Animal Welfare Awareness
Coordinators of 101FM Radio Logan’s “Noah’s Legacy” program, Patti Alchin and Lea Budge received an award for their work on this unique community radio program, which aims to raise awareness of animal welfare issues. Developed by Patti and Lea in 2000, Noah Legacy acts as a voice for animals and the environment, by profiling important issues and petitioning against animal cruelty and habitat destruction. The award was presented at the 101FM Radio Logan studios, in Brisbane.

Belridge Senior High School Rock Eisteddfod team – Award for Young Achievers
The Belridge Senior High School Rock Eisteddfod (from Perth, in WA) team received the award for their great work in raising the profile of the whaling issue through their winning Rock Eisteddfod 07 entry. The students of the Rock Eisteddfod team brought this important issue to their peers and the public in a powerful and thought provoking manner.

World Animal Day was also marked with a photographic exhibition at Sydney’s Customs House Library. Following this year’s Animal Action Week theme “To The Rescue: emergency relief for animals” the exhibition featured stunning images from IFAW’s past emergency rescue operations across the world.

As well as this, more than 900 schools across Australia and New Zealand received free IFAW educational kits, which included lesson plans and an animal art competition for students. Report submitted by Erin Schrieber and edited by World Animal Day.

IMAGE GALLERY
Selected additional images of events that took place in
Australia & New Zealand in 2007