Support the Appeal

Why Donate?

As Taronga Zoo's 12-year, $A225 million Master Plan reaches its mid-phase and the construction of Great Southern Oceans continues, the vision of the Zoological Parks Board of NSW to create the Zoo of the Future comes closer to reality.

The capital fundraising program for the Zoo's Master Plan development program is well underway with more than $22million of the required $56million now secured. For every $1 raised by the Taronga Foundation towards Master Plan projects, the New South Wales State Government contributes $3.

This spectacular new precinct, due to open at the end of 2007, explores the edge of our world, where the land meets the sea. Visitors will not only be able to learn about marine conservation and climate change, but interactive experiences will highlight the natural habitats, behaviours and threats to marine mammals and birdlife.

Seal Cove will be the new home for Miya and our other Australian Sea-lions. In the wild, these sea-lions have never recovered from excessive hunting in the early years of last century. The new complex is especially designed to facilitate breeding, with space for males and females to be introduced to each other, a dedicated area at the rear where a female can give birth and a small pupping pool to house the newborn pup until it can swim properly.

Crusoe and Mr Munro will take up residence in Penguin Rocks, which will house the largest and most successful breeding colony of Little Penguins anywhere in the world. Fifty Little Penguins, many bred at Taronga, will eventually live in this area and the breeding program will support ongoing recovery projects in the wild.

The replica Antarctic Research Station will take visitors on an amazing journey to Antarctica, the natural habitat of Leopard Seals like Brooke. Leopard Seals "sing" to communicate with each other and find a mate, and the station's sound chamber includes these and other fascinating sounds from the depths of the icy ocean. The Research Station also includes panoramic underwater viewing of the Leopard Seal and Little Penguin pools.

The Taronga Foundation raises funds to support the Zoo and its commitment to providing the finest possible facilities for all the animals in our care. That includes current and future conservation programs and vital research to find out as much as we can about the animals living in one of the most important ecosystems on the planet.

You can share our future. By making a donation to the Taronga Foundation you can be a part of our conservation, research and education efforts. You'll not only be helping Miya, Brooke, Mr Munro and Crusoe into their new homes, your generosity will also make a difference to the future of seals, sea-lions, penguins and other animals that make their home in the wild oceans between here and Antarctica.

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Taronga Foundation

The Taronga Foundation aims to be a world leader in the development of philanthropic support for the conservation and presentation of Australian and exotic wildlife. The Taronga Foundation was established in 2000 to support the Zoological Parks Board of NSW in its visionary Master Plan redevelopment program. The Master Plan aims to provide a world-class environment for our animals to further our education, research and breeding goals while dramatically improving visitor experience.

At the same time The Taronga Foundation is contributing to the Zoos' increasing support for conservation programs around the globe. The projects we support in the wild mirror the research, breeding, education and conservation work within our zoos.The Taronga Foundation vision is to inspire our community to create a better future for wildlife and our children.

Our Zoos - A Century of Care

Taronga Zoo has been a respected name in the care and conservation of Australian and exotic animals for almost 100 years. It's been a century of change. In that time we have evolved from a simple menagerie into a dynamic force in global research and conservation, uniquely placed to make significant contributions across a wide range of conservation activities.

Western Plains Zoo, our open-range zoo, was established at Dubbo in regional New South Wales in February 1977. Western Plains Zoo has been voted one of the top five open-range zoos in the world.

A third of the species cared for at Taronga and almost half of the 130 species at Western Plains are threatened with extinction.

From breeding programs to partnerships with scientific and research centres and wildlife agencies around the world, our Zoos are proudly leading the Australian contribution to global conservation and providing inspirational experiences for our visitors.

The vision of our Zoos is to inspire Australians and our visitors to explore, discover, delight in and protect our natural world

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Other ways you can be involved with the Taronga Foundation

Corporate Partnerships

A corporate partnership with Taronga and Western Plains Zoos means great things for the world's wildlife. But it also means fantastic opportunities for your business, your brand, your employees and achieving your corporate social responsibility goals. And, of course, being a Zoo partner is great fun!

Corporate Partnership opportunities start from as little as $5000 per annum and for every $1 contributed by our partners, the New South Wales State Government gives $3 to The Taronga Foundation.

To find out more about becoming a corporate partner please call us on (02) 9978 4677 or email partnerships@zoo.nsw.gov.au

Major Gifts

The Taronga Foundation's Major Gifts program acknowledges the generosity of individual supporters who wish to make a significant gift to support the work of Taronga and Western Plains Zoos. Major Gifts can be recognised in a variety of ways, including in-ground acknowledgment at Taronga's 'Partners in Conservation' gallery and through naming rights on specific exhibits. Recognition begins with a tax-deductible gift of $10,000 . Donations may be pledged over several years.

To find out more about our Donor Recognition Program, or for more information about making a major gift to support the Taronga Foundation, please call Linda Newton on 02 9978 4689 or email lnewton@zoo.nsw.gov.au

Patronage of the Taronga Foundation

The Foundation is supported by a group of dedicated Governors and Patrons drawn from the business and philanthropic communities, whose role is to support, advocate and promote the Taronga Foundation. Prospective Patrons should have a pre-existing commitment to the Foundation and be prepared to make an annual contribution of at least $10,000, either by tax-deductible donation or the annual purchase of event tickets to the equivalent value. Compatibility with the vision and ideals of The Taronga Foundation is a prerequisite to nomination, and Patrons need to make an initial commitment of 2 years.

Taronga Foundation Governors and Patrons

• Maurice L Newman AC, Chairman
• Nigel Adams
• John Armati AM
• Frank Brennan
• John Cleese
• Alyce Faye Cleese
• Collette Dinnigan
• Peter Fitzsimons
• Megan Gale
• Bradley Trevor Greive
• Reg Grundy
• Louis Hawke
• Justin Hemmes
• Rebecca Hewitt
• Lisa Ho
• Antonia Kidman
• Skye Leckie
• Justin Miller
• Richard Morecroft
• Don Olney
• Gretel Packer
• Anna Russell
• Deborah Thomas
• Max Walters AM MBE
• Peter Young AM

The Taronga Foundation Friends of the Future Bequest Club

The Taronga Foundation 'Friends of the Future' Bequest Club was formed to provide the Taronga Foundation with an opportunity to thank those who have made provision for Taronga and Taronga Western Plains Zoos in their Will. 'Friends of the Future' gives us the opportunity to recognise our benefactors' generosity and commitment to conservation and wildlife during their lifetime. Membership is free and is open to all individuals who make a bequest in their Will to the Taronga Foundation. By doing so, they are recognising how important bequests are to the future of our two great Zoos. and members receive invitations to events, updates on what's happening at Taronga and Western Plains Zoo as well as acknowledgment on special occasions. Award-winning author and Foundation Governor Bradley Trevor Greive is the Foundation's Bequest Ambassador.

For more information on how to make a bequest to support Taronga and Western Plains Zoo, and the Friends of the Future Bequest Club, please contact Fran O'Brien, Bequest Officer, on 9978 4573, email fobrien@zoo.nsw.gov.au or forward correspondence to PO Box 20, Mosman, NSW, 2088. All enquiries are treated with the strictest confidence.

Our Future

With up to 74 species facing extinction each day, Zoos are now providing a genetic 'safety-net' for endangered species. In an increasingly urbanised world, Zoos are playing a more and more important role in creating connections between the community, wildlife and the natural environment.

Taronga and Western Plains Zoos are currently in the midst of an ambitious 12-year Master Plan redevelopment program to lay solid foundations to ensure we will be a conservation powerhouse in this century and beyond.

Revitalising our infrastructure is not only good for the animals in our care and our visitors; it means we are providing the best possible facilities for our vital captive breeding, research and education programs.

Master Plan projects that are changing the face of Taronga include Backyard to Bush, Wild Asia, Great Southern Oceans, and soon, a revitalised top entry plaza.

Western Plains Zoo is also being extensively upgraded with improved exhibits, accommodation and education facilities. These projects are establishing new standards in Zoo design putting Taronga and Western Plains amongst the world's great zoos.

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Oceans 100

Turning a hundred into a million

OCEANS 100 is an exciting initiative of the Taronga Foundation's Great Southern Oceans Appeal. Launched in March 2007, OCEANS 100 is a simple concept: a hundred dedicated individuals pledging $10,000 or more to help the Taronga Foundation build Great Southern Oceans at Taronga Zoo. Our goal is to raise $1 million by June 2008 which, with the NSW government's incentive of $3 for every $1 donated, equates to $4 million for conservation, research and breeding programs focusing on our penguins, seals and pelicans.

Great Southern Oceans will officially open in mid-2008 and will provide extraordinary facilities for our marine animals and their keepers. It will also house the Australian Marine Mammal Research Centre (AMMRC), a joint initiative of Taronga and Sydney University and Australia's foremost Antarctic research facility. The groundbreaking work of AMMRC scientists will ensure that Taronga Zoo remains at the forefront of vital work researching the effects of climate change on the delicate marine ecology of our southern oceans and how these changes influence weather and rainfall patterns here in Australia.

The Taronga Foundation is committed to raising $10 million by June 2008 towards the total cost of Great Southern Oceans. It's a huge challenge, but one which we are confident of meeting, thanks to the support of our wonderful OCEANS 100 members.

We are proud to list below the names of those who have so far committed their support as an OCEANS 100 member. Through their generosity we have already secured $930,000 in just 12 months. We need only $70,000 - just 10 new members -to achieve our target. Will you help "turn a hundred into a million" and join OCEANS 100 today?

As a gesture of recognition for your generosity, you will receive recognition as an OCEANS 100 member on an individual plaque within Great Southern Oceans, on our website and in our Annual Report. And because you have supported our marine animals so generously, you'll also receive an exclusive invitation to join other OCEANS 100 members at a special preview function and Seal Show in our new Seal Education Theatre.

If you'd like more information about how you can become a member of OCEANS 100, please phone Linda Newton at the Taronga Foundation on (02) 9978 4689 or email lnewton@zoo.nsw.gov.au

If you're ready to help us 'turn a hundred into a million' by joining OCEANS 100, just print out the form and post to: The Taronga Foundation
PO Box 20
Mosman NSW 2088

Or fax to (02) 9969-7515

View the Pledge Form in PDF format

Thank you for your support.

Thank you to our generous donors who have pledged their support to date:

• Nigel Adams and Rebecca Nyman
• Stephen and Nanette Ainsworth
• Robert Albert AO RFD RD
• Leonard F Bleasel AM
• Valerie A Bleasel
• Camilla Boyd
• Graham and Charlene Bradley
• Sir Ron Brierley
• Clitheroe Foundation
• Michael Cook
• Anna Crane
• Steve Crane
• Ian and Min Darling
• Ashley Dawson-Damer
• Gretchen Dechert
• The Denton Family
• John V Egan
• Steve and Linda Fanale
• John and Ann Forsyth
• Jeremy Garling
• Peter and Sue Glasson
• Bradley Trevor Greive
• Joy and Reg Grundy
• Fiona and David Hancock
• Louis Hawke
• Angus Hawley
• Hans Hulsbosch
• Sandra and Graham Humphrey
• Richard Humphry AO
• Prue and Andrew Kennard
• Wal and Denise King
• Debbie Molesworth
• Helen Molesworth
• Geoff and Roz Morgan
• Catherine Nesbitt
• Maurice L Newman AC
• Julie and Damian O'Carrigan
• The Late Dawn O'Donnell
• Gretel Packer
• Siimon Reynolds
• Rebel Penfold-Russell
• Paul and Sandra Salteri
• Swan Services Pty Ltd
• Anne Turnbull
• Richard Warburton AO and Sue Warburton
• Emil and Elizabeth Weber

Honour Roll

The Taronga Foundation would like to thank these very generous donors:

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