WA 'NatureBase' Internet site wins international competition

24/7/97

Western Australia has gained wide exposure in 'cyberspace' with NatureBase - the Department of Conservation and Land Management's Internet site - winning an international Web sites competition.

NatureBase - which came online just 12 months ago - was awarded first prize in the academic/research/government sites section in the MetalWorkers' Contest, a competition run by Canadian Web site software provider, SoftQuad Inc.

Environment Minister Cheryl Edwardes said the award, which carried a $US10,000 prize, was among the Internet's most prestigious accolades and would lead to an increasing number of 'net surfers' visiting NatureBase and other WA sites.

The competition attracted more than 500 entries that were short-listed to 40 finalists. Entry was open to sites that were registered users of the Web software, HoTMetaL PRO. Judging was based on organisation, integrity, accessibility and creativity.

Judges included leading North American journalists in news media and senior executives from Web development firms and the winners were announced during a 'virtual ceremony' held on the Internet last night (WA time).

It is the third major award NatureBase has gathered. Last September, it was named best Government site in the inaugural Telstra-Australian Financial Review Australian Internet Awards and in June it gained a Gold Quill in the International Association of Business Communicators' awards.

NatureBase was developed by CALM to bring WA's natural attractions within reach of anyone anywhere in the world who had access to the Internet.

The site was developed by CALM in conjunction with the WA-based Internet consultant, Dow Digital. It is maintained by CALM Corporate Relations Division. The site's webmaster is communications officer and LANDSCOPE editor David Gough.

"NatureBase is a tremendous window on WA," Mrs Edwardes said.

"It uses virtual reality and other multi-media to help visitors explore the State's great natural wonders such as Penguin Island off Rockingham and the Valley of the Giants tingle forests near Walpole. A search facility soon will put users in contact with CALM-licensed nature-based tourism operators.

"There also is a special 'For Schools' section which includes the Western Shield Action Pack, an educational activity for upper primary students to learn more about WA's native animals.

"The prizemoney will be used in the NatureBase schools and community information project to fund a range of multimedia educational activities that will be available on the site."

Mrs Edwardes said Internet awards were major drawcards for 'net users to visit sites. When NatureBase was selected as SoftQuad's site of the month last March, it resulted in a noticeable upsurge in 'visits' by the United States and Canada to the point that more than 20 per cent of people visiting NatureBase were from North America.

"I congratulate CALM and its team on their achievement," she said.

"As word of the win circulates across the 'net, many more people from around the world will want to experience WA for themselves having first visited the State through NatureBase."

NatureBase is at http://www.calm.wa.gov.au. People who do not have direct access to the Internet can visit the site on computers at CALM's WA Naturally information centre in Henry Street, Fremantle.

Media contacts: Ministerial Diana Russell Coote (08) 9421 7777

CALM Syd Shea (08) 9422 0325