Love for wildlife

By Kath Gannaway
ON SO many levels, the supporters of the Judith Eardley Save Wildlife Association’s shop in Healesville have reason to celebrate.
As the shop that raises funds to help preserve Australia’s wildlife marked its 10th year in business on 10 December, director Peter Hannaford said there had been some notable achievements.
The association’s main commitment is to buying reserves for wildlife, but they have also made donations to local wildlife carers, an ambulance for Help For Wildlife, to help save the New Holland Mouse, Fresh Water Turtle and Helmeted Honeyeater, and to Healesville Environment Watch.
Shortly after starting up, they donated $250,000 to Bush Heritage to purchase a tract of land in Wedderburn that was relatively unspoilt.
“It contains a lot of species not found anywhere else in Australia, including some rare plants,” Mr Hannaford said.
The association has also contributed $250,000 for a reserve for the Red-tailed Black Cockatoo and paid $315,000 for a property that abuts Yellingbo Reserve, home of the endangered Helmeted Honeyeater.
Following the bushfires, they donated around $60,000 to Parks Victoria, wildlife carers and to operate food stations to keep wildlife fed with some of their volunteers joining others preparing and distributing the food.
The shop, architecturally interesting in itself, is a drawcard to Healesville. Its huge collection of books, records, collectibles and interesting bits and pieces adds colour to Healesville’s retail mix.
“It’s a popular shop with locals and tourists and we take pleasure in that,” Mr Hannaford said.
“Because most charity shops are for humans or pets, and we look after wildlife, we also get quite a lot of people coming up from Melbourne to donate.”
Mr Hannaford said they have had some interesting finds, with a selection of their more valuable donations or purchases on hold in anticipation of an auction.
When asked about the best find ever, he doesn’t hesitate and with a hearty laugh says “Jeanne … undoubtedly Jeanne”.
Jeanne Wilcox is one of the organisation’s team of hard working volunteers, and she epitomises the dedication they all share for preserving Australia’s unique flora and fauna.
“We are a shop, first, second and third for wildlife, and we want to just say ‘thank you’ to everyone who has contributed,” Mr Hannaford said.
That includes volunteers, donors, people they buy from and of course, their customers.
“We have been so lucky in that we have had a lot of help from people. It’s been a fortunate venture and a fulfilling one for everyone concerned.”
To find out more about the Judith Eardley Save Wildlife Association visit their website – www.jesavewildlife.org