Helen Armitage (second from right) cuts the anniversary cake with guidance from inaugural guides Sally Symonds, Edith Irving, Fred Parry and Ruth Menzies.By Kath Gannaway
HEALESVILLE Sanctuary’s volunteer guides celebrated 20 years of guiding earlier this month with a reunion at the Sanctuary.
The first training course for Friends of the Zoos Sanctuary Guides began in May 1985 and 19 enthusiastic and welltrained guides graduated on 9 October.
Twenty more ambassadors for the Sanctuary graduated on Friday to carry on the good work in a variety of roles around the Sanctuary.
Sanctuary director Matt Vincent praised the contribution guides have made to enhancing the visitor experience at the Sanctuary and in other areas of the Sanctuary’s operation.
He said although the Sanctuary has not changed a great deal over the years, there had been a growing awareness of conservation and environment issues and that the guides play a vital role in getting those messages across to the public.
Four members of the first graduation class, Sally Symonds, Edith Irving, Fred Parry and Ruth Menzies were given special recognition for their pioneering role.
They joined with the convenor of the committee which set the guide course on its way, former FOTZ vice president Helen Armitage, to cut the anniversary cake.
