Opening of native bush & fauna display at Albany museum

13/9/98

A huge community effort has resulted in the development of a native bush and fauna display to promote awareness and appreciation of the Albany region's unique environment.

Opening the display at the Albany Residency Museum today, Environment Minister Cheryl Edwardes said the display was not only a tribute to the Wellstead LCDC Historical and Heritage committee, but the entire local community who had rallied behind the project.

"The informative educational display is the culmination of many hours of research, collection, fund-raising and organisation by the local community," Mrs Edwardes said.

"It will provide people with information on the plants and animals found in the region and the measures in place to conserve them for future generations.

"It is an admirable collection of about 20 specimens of native animals found within the region, including a dunnart, echidna and Western Brush Wallaby.

"The display is set against an impressive backdrop of environment habitats in the region, from paperbarks and wetlands through to drier swampy areas, all painted by artists Margaret Gorman and Joyce Hall."

Mrs Edwardes said the creation of the display was an extension of the Wellstead LCDC's successful survey projects of birds, eucalypts, banksias and native mammals in the region.

"With the assistance of the Department of Conservation and Land Management (CALM), the Wellstead community has embarked on a number of projects to help preserve the native wildlife in their local area," she said.

"In the future the group plans to establish the Wellstead Resource Centre, which will house the district native bush and fauna display. Until that time, it will be exhibited at the Albany Residency Museum."

Mrs Edwardes said the display would be a major drawcard for tourists and residents alike.

"The Wellstead community and the Albany Residency Museum are to be congratulated on this excellent collaboration," she said.

"The native bush and fauna display will help inform people of the wonderful biological diversity found in the Albany region, now and well into the future."

Media contact: Nicole Trigwell 9421 7777