Location: AUSTRALIA - Clarence Town, NSW
Event: International Day of the Donkey
Hosted by: Good Samaritan Donkey Sanctuary

The weather was great and the day was a grand success. People travelled from as far as Victoria and Queensland, and even attracted a few touring Europeans who had heard about our big day. Image: The Great Donkey Race, 'Sanctuary Slipper', which is always a real crowd-puller.

The 'Living History of the Donkey' (first 2 hours) was bigger and better than previous years and the only criticism we received was that it ended too soon as some late comers missed it altogether. We thank our wonderful narrator Barbara Delaney (theatre, performing arts, actress) for her work.  Just some of the ‘Living Museum’ exhibits were: colourful Sicily - our Sicilian friends travelled up from Sydney in their national dress with banners and flag (and pot of spaghetti); the war section was again just marvellous and very well received - thanks to Bob and ‘Benny’ Pankhurst. Bob gave an excellent presentation and‘Benny’ played Simpson’s donkey. Danny Mackay, a producer, joined us as he’s planning a Simpson movie on location at Gallipoli in Turkey; Ireland was represented by volunteer Dodie Smith who had one donkey carrying panniers loaded with peat and the other harnessed to a milk cart loaded with urns; additionally, Anne Walsh, our delightful leprechaun led her miniature donkey; Danielle Rambourg represented France, speaking in French to many visitors, particularly on the ancient breed of Poitou donkey; volunteer Kathy Isherwood managed the brick kiln donkeys of India complete with guard-donkey and sheep; Greece was represented by ‘Gypsy’ wearing an authentic colourful Greek donkey saddle; Hungarian Gypsies (volunteers Maura Skipsey and Jenny Brown) sold their wares and I demonstrated the milking of a donkey, showing how it’s filtered and snap frozen. Many tasted the milk and all were pleasantly surprised.  We also had Cleopatra, a Chinese cook, a miner, a swaggie, Benny the-trick-donkey and, of course, Santa’s elf Jerry Jingle and his donkey ‘Hope’ made an appearance with a bright red mail box for the children to post their letters to Santa.  

The volunteers cooked up a tasty sausage-sizzle lunch and then it was on with the Great Donkey Race which is always a real crowd-puller - offering sweeps on an unregistered track and running unqualified steeds means our shady operation needs to decamp hurriedly should there be a raid by the racing fraternity! Finally, it was all the fun of the childrens’ Dinky Hobby Donkey race - another outstanding success. And all too soon, our day came to a close. Jo-Anne Kokas.

Location: AUSTRALIA - Melbourne, Victoria
Event: Dingoes Walk 4 World Animal Day
Hosted by: Dingo CARE Network

Dingo CARE Network celebrated World Animal Day with a 4km walk along the Yarra River in Melbourne on Saturday 4th October.

We attracted some great publicity with an article in The Age newspaper the day after and we featured in a short segment on the Channel Nine news that night! The fantastic Spring weather was at its best which I think helped to bring the people outdoors.

Some people shook hands with a dingo, some children got a lick from a dingo but almost everyone got to pat a friendly dingo which was amazing for them!

We turned a few heads when we started walking along Birrarung Marr park towards Federation Square, especially with a camera man trying to keep pace with the marching group. We stopped in the Square for a quick drink and promptly got mobbed by the interested public. The petition we had going “to request the Victorian Minister make a decision and list the dingo as an endangered species in Victoria” grabbed a great deal of interest and so our members got to do a lot of talking about their passion, saving the dingo.

We then pressed on to finish our walk past Rod Laver Arena and back to our starting post. Our group was so delighted with the days outcome we have decided to make it an annual event. Count us in for 2009. Thank you for a wonderful idea and way to get involved. Sharon Rivett, Dingo CARE Network.

STOP PRESS!!!!

One of the reasons Dingo CARE Network did the Dingo walk on World Animal Day was to help enlighten the public about needing to get the Dingo on the protected species list for Victoria.

We are thrilled to report that, on Friday 24th October, the Minister for the Environment of Victoria, announced that the dingo was to be listed as a protected species under the Flora & Fauna Guarantee Act 1998.

Sharon Rivett – Secretary for DCN said,

“The Dingo Care Network has been the driving force behind this recommendation thanks to their Vice President Ernest Healy. We are extremely proud to have been able to make this happen."

There were a few champagne corks popped upon hearing the news, we now feel that our dedication and perseverance has finally paid off. We know that the pure bred family groups of dingoes that are still living in the wild will now be protected and hopefully one day a breeding program from our group will help to re-introduce new blood into the Victorian bushland so it may become a common thing once more to hear a dingo howl in the high country.

Location: AUSTRALIA - Willowmavin, Victoria
Event: Open Day: "I like it here"
Hosted by: Edgar's Mission Farm Sanctuary

Contented sheep graze peacefully on grassy slopes, a lone alpaca watches on, cows happily chew their cud as a young boy wanders up the paddock, turns to his father and says, “Dad, I like it here”.  That pretty much summed up the spirit of the 800 plus visitors of World Animal Day 2008 at Willowmavin’s increasingly popular Edgar’s Mission Farm Sanctuary.

“Throughout every turn in the evolution of man there has been a member of the animal kingdom.  This incredible relationship has enabled us to advance beyond cavemen to who we are today” said Edgar’s Mission founder Pam Ahern.  “It is now time we look at how we have honoured that contract and sadly it is not that well.  Perhaps now is the time to repay the debt”

Face painting, farm tours, line dancing, inspirational presentations, silent auction, dog agility displays, children’s activities, vegan luncheon and much more kept all entertained throughout the day.  With many interstate visitors making the journey south proving that Edgar’s Mission Farm Sanctuary is now truly a national beacon of hope for all farmed animals.

“It has been one of my greatest honours being selected as the Australian World Animal Day Ambassador.  For as long as I can remember I have been in awe of the animal kingdom. Animals really do define us human beings, our treatment of them says so much about the sort of people we truly are.  It is my hope that all those who gathered here today left empowered to make the world a better place for all our animal friends” concluded Pam. “If we could live happy and healthy lives without harming others… why wouldn’t we?”

Location: AUSTRALIA - Melbourne, Victoria
Event: Gala Ball
Hosted by: RSPCA Victoria

World Animal Day is celebrated around the world on October 4. The date chosen reflects the Feast of the Patron Saint of Animals, St. Francis of Assisi, who regarded all animals as his brothers and sisters.

World Animal Day is an opportunity for everyone to thank their pets for enhancing and enriching their lives. Many Australian churches have in recent years begun to celebrate the day with a simple prayer or thank you.

RSPCA CEO Maria Mercurio said, "World Animal Day is a day to celebrate and recognise the contributions animals make to society."

Last year in Victoria:
RSPCA veterinarians provided treatment for more than 25,000 animals; RSPCA shelters cared for 41,343 lost, stray and abandoned animals; RSPCA inspectors investigated 13,507 animal cruelty complaints; over 25,000 students participated in RSPCA Education programs; we provided life-giving feed and shelter to animals affected by the drought; we ran campaigns for the compulsory desexing of cats, the banning of rodeos, duck hunting and to stop the live animal export

On Friday 10 October, we held our annual World Animal Day Gala Ball at the Grand Hyatt Hotel. With almost 500 people in attendance, it was a fun-filled night with lots of activities to keep everyone busy. This year, we were aiming to raise over $185,000 for animal rescue and adoption services across Victoria through the successful silent and live auctions. We are very pleased to report that even in this tough economic climate, we reached our fundraising target! The silent auction and live auction bidding was frantic and the results were just fantastic. The raffle sold very well and many guests went home with our exclusive and limited edition World Animal Day Gala Ball pin-buttons.

The Gala Ball event was an exciting night filled with entertainment from Melbournes leading entertainers. Ray Lord, Media Officer, RSPCA Victoria.

Location: NEW ZEALAND - Auckland
Event: Debate: The Price of Milk
Hosted by: SAFE (Save Animals From Exploitation

In celebration of World Animal Day, NZ animal advocacy group SAFE held three inspiring events in Auckland.

The first event was held at the Auckland SAFE office - a debate called ‘The Price of Milk’ which tackled the mythology of milk in NZ. Talking on behalf of the animals was Billy Leonard, who pointed out the many negative effects of dairy farming in NZ. Issues covered included the environmental cost of dairy farming (such as polluted waterways), the nutritional dangers (such as leaching of calcium), and of course the animal welfare aspect. The audience was especially vocal and well informed themselves, and did not agree at all with the proposition a cow is ‘just a product’.

Location: NEW ZEALAND - Auckland
Event: Film Night
Hosted by: SAFE (Save Animals From Exploitation

The second event - SAFE film night. Speaker Deidre Bourke from ARLAN (Animal Rights Legal Advocacy Network) introduced a film on the life of Wilbur Wilberforce, who was instrumental in the banning of the English slave trade 200 years ago. She talked a little about her own research into animal law reform compared to other social movements, such as the emancipation of slaves, and pointed out the parallels to look for while watching the film. The arguments given against banning the slave trade included warning of the harm it would cause the economy, and the campaigners were labelled as traitors. Getting a political consensus on banning slavery took over 30 years of Wilberforce’s life, and he was also one of the founding members of the RSPCA.

Location: NEW ZEALAND - Matakana
Event: Animal Sanctuary Visit
Hosted by: SAFE (Save Animals From Exploitation)

Our third and final event - a visit to the Animal Sanctuary in Matakana on 4 October showed what a simple but very rewarding thing it is to work on behalf of animals, and to spend time with them. The Sanctuary looks after rescued battery chickens and an assortment of pigs, goats, donkeys, and injured native birds. The latest resident is a miniature pony called Romeo who is still getting used to positive human contact (image). SAFE volunteers on the day dug trenches and carried logs, while also getting a tour of the property and a home-cooked vegan lunch from owner Shawn Bishop. Many thanks Shawn!

NZ’s Ambassador for 2008, Hans Kriek says that events such as World Animal Day helps us see the positive change happening in the attitudes of people to the plight of animals. “Fortunately, efforts to improve the quality of life for animals in New Zealand are gaining momentum and many New Zealanders are starting to see animal welfare and rights issues for the important issues that they are,” he said. SAFE website: www.safe.org.nz.

Location: NEW ZEALAND - Christchurch
Event: Vegetarian Food and Lifestyle Expo
Hosted by: Christchurch Vegetarian Centre

In celebration of World Animal Day and World Vegetarian Day we organised a Vegetarian Food and Lifestyle Expo at the Horticultural Centre which was attended by 4000 people. This was Christchurch's second and New Zealand's biggest Vegetarian event with 36 stalls, 5 cookery demonstrations, 37 films and 5 workshops provided education, information, entertainment and a great day out for both Christchurch vegetarians and non vegetarians alike. Image: Angela Hurley from Autumn Leaves demonstrating Vege Stacks at Expo.

Queues started forming early to enter the Expo.  Visitors came from as far away as Dunedin and many people stayed all day, taking in cookery demos, films and workshops as well as lunch and afternoon tea.  Christchurch's premier vegetarian cafes and restaurants delighted the crowds with cuisine from their menus. Food on offer included Chinese, international, New Zealand favs and the ever popular vegan ice creams. Outside the hall, patrons basked in the Christchurch sun and enjoyed coffee from the outside cafe, and vegan ice cream and veggie sausage stands. The New Zealand record for the biggest vegetarian sausage sizzle was easily smashed at the Expo - 702 vegetarian sausages scoffed in one day!

Entertainment was provided throughout the day by the Praesto String Quartet with funky veggie music playing when they had a break. Well known vegetarian Christchurch personalities such as singer songwriter Flip Grater, Cabinet Minister Ruth Dyson and Internet and Space Entrepreneur Mark Rocket mingled with the crowds. Flip was one of the team of cookery demonstrators who showed the diversity of vegetarian cuisine. Recipes ranged from raw to Asian to puddings and all were popular.

Christchurch has already been called New Zealand’s vegetarian capital city and The Expo showed why. With enquiries already being made for the 2009 Expo, it can only get bigger.
Thanks to all the volunteers and stall holders who made the day possible. Report sent by Yolanda.

For more info about the Christchurch Vegetarian Expos, go to the events page at www.vegetarianchristchurch.org.nz

Location: New Zealand
Event:  Animals Matter Campaign
Organizer: World Society for the Protection of Animals

The World Society for the Protection of Animals celebrated World Animal Day with a week of events throughout the entire country, kicked off by our Animals Matter campaign.  How animals are treated matters to animals, people and the environment, yet there is no formal global recognition of the importance of animal welfare.  What better time to encourage people to show that animals matter than World Animal Day?

At Body Shop stores around the country, we put together an Action Station where New Zealanders could sign our petition for a Universal Declaration on Animal Welfare that recognizes animals as sentient beings, capable of experiencing pain and suffering.   

Kiwi TV personality Jaquie Brown urged New Zealanders to make a difference, and featured on our posters wearing t-shirts designed for us by Sweetpea for Karen Walker.  $20 from the sale of each shirt went to WSPA’s campaigns to end animal cruelty. 

Throughout New Zealand, WSPA supporters pitched in too with a variety of fundraising events celebrating animals.  In Auckland our lovely fundraisers ran stalls selling animal-themed items, jewellery and charms; in Thames we gave out cookies and sweets for donations; in Oamaru we had World Animal Day celebrated on the radio with free giveaways and prizes; and in so many other towns and cities WSPA supporters got the word out there with info stalls and collection boxes.  Sara Alaica, Supporter Care Co-ordinator, WSPA New Zealand.

IMAGE GALLERY
Selected additional images of events that took place in
Australia & New Zealand in 2008