AWC guest speaker at chamber meeting

There was a large attendance at the July monthly meeting of the Chamber of Commerce which was chaired by president Russell Stewart.

Guest speaker at the meeting was Greg Holland, regional ecologist from the Australian Wildlife Conservancy, who spoke in detail on the organisation which is dedicated to the conservation and protection of all Australian fauna in their native habitats. The AWC is a non-government and not for profit organisation, founded in the 1990s, and supported by philanthropy to fund most of its activities.

The Conservancy owns and manages properties across Australia including 36,000 hectares in the Pilliga Forest where it runs a land management project and science program.

Mr Holland told of how cats and foxes are responsible for obliterating whole species of native animals.

In 2018 the Narrabri contingent constructed and completed an electrified fence with a floppy top enclosing 5800 hectares in the Pilliga Forest.

They then set about clearing the area of feral animals and have now reintroduced four new species to date.

In 2018, 60 bilbies were reintroduced, they now number aproximately 300.

Other species include the bridle nail-tail wallaby, brush tailed bettong and plains mouse.

The notorious fox Rambo, who eluded AWC for so long was finally finished off by the floods of 2022, allowing the program to fully utilise the enclosed area.

AWC employs nine people locally and has an office in Maitland Street.

Mr Holland was applauded on his presentation by an appreciative audience and took questions from the floor.

Lester Kelly gave an update on behalf of the Yarrie Lake Trust and use of the grant moneys.

Mr Stewart advised the chamber that the project has to be finalised by the end of 2023.

The meeting concluded at 7.30.

The next meeting of the chamber is scheduled for August 8 at the RSL Club.