Wildlife Rescue Minjerribah is gearing up to host its first fundraising event with a SeaWorld dolphin experience and North Stradbroke Island accommodation up for grabs.
Secretary Sian Mackenzie said without government funding, the organisation relied purely on fundraising and donations to keep rescues happening.
“Our major forms of fundraising in the past have been events such as sausage sizzles at the Point Lookout markets or selling raffle tickets at the Oyster Festival,” she said.
“Obviously we need funds to keep our phone running, keep our rescue vehicle on the road and raise awareness to the community on ways they can help and avoid human conflict with wildlife.”
The organisation has been rescuing wildlife on North Stradbroke Island for 30 years and will be running its first major fundraising event at Straddie Brewing Co on Thursday, November 23 (today) from 5.30pm-9.30 pm.
Tickets are $75 per person and include a selection of delicious canapés using local Island produce from Straddie Oysters and Rufus King Seafood, as well as a welcome drink.
“We have a wine bar on the island which has donated many bottles of wine, which means we are offering very cheap wine on the night,” Ms Mackenzie said.
“I can guarantee the night will be something people will not want to miss.”
StradEasy will be making the trip to and from the event easier, by running a Complimentary Bus Transfer from both Point Lookout and Amity Point.
Ms Mackenzie said the night would also involve an auction with major prizes up for grabs including a SeaWorld dolphin experience and island accommodation.
“SeaWorld has donated an entrance and dolphin experience and a few of our accommodation providers on the island have donated some great packages including a 10-person house and barge fees,” she said.
“We also have lots of health, beauty and restaurant vouchers for restaurants across the island.”
Ms Mackenzie said the group was always looking for more volunteers.
“Our volunteers are crucial, we have a team of six on our 24/7 phone hotline and our rescuers with our head rescuer Pauly based in Amity,” she said.
“We always are needing more people to answer the phones, take animals to the ferry, talk about the organisation at events and empty collection boxes.”
Ms Mackenzie said the group recently received a substantial grant from the Wildlife Information Rescue and Education Service Incorporated, which had enabled the organisation to set up three triage stations on the island.
