Reception for RSCPA Queensland to celebrate World Wildlife Day

Chair, Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Queensland, Ms Louise Cox; Chief Executive Officer, Ms Emma Whitehead; RSPCA Board members; distinguished guests; ladies and gentlemen. 

I begin by acknowledging the Original Custodians of the lands around Brisbane, the Turrbal and Jagera peoples, and pay my respects to Elders past, present and emerging, and to any First Nations people here tonight.

Graeme and I are delighted to see so many of you joining us this evening at Government House to celebrate World Wildlife Day. This United Nations initiative—which began in 2013—gives us the opportunity to come together globally, on the 3^rd of March, to reflect on the immense contributions plants and animals make to human lives, and the crucial importance of biodiversity in ensuring a healthy, functioning planet.

While this year’s UN theme focusses on flora; threats caused by habitat destruction and climate change, apply to the entire natural world, and this is why the work of the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Queensland is so essential.

Our state is home to 85 percent of Australia’s native mammals, and over 70% of our country’s native birds, and we also boast varied and distinct ecosystems that are havens for our wildlife.

As Patron of RSPCA Queensland, I am proud to support an organisation that as our leading animal welfare charity, is devoted to protecting and enhancing the lives of all animals, including, of course, our state’s precious native fauna, which are amongst the most diverse and unique in the world.

Each year, over 27,000 sick and injured native birds, animals and reptiles are treated and cared for at the RSCPA’s Wildlife Hospital at Wacol and Rehabilitation Centre at Eumundi—suffering from the effects of diseases, road accidents, or displacement caused by natural disasters, to name a few.

Aside from providing life-saving critical care and respite, RSCPA Queensland is deeply committed to promoting greater awareness about the many issues threatening our wildlife, supplying valuable information around such aspects as enhancing backyard habitats or managing domestic pets, and leading the discussion around ways that, as a State, we can improve broader outcomes.

Through a network of support, with collaborations between vets, wildlife rescue bodies and carers, and conservation organisations across… …Queensland, the RSCPA—with its emergency hotline—has helped ensure help for native animals is available, where-ever and whenever it is needed.

The new purpose-built RSCPA Queensland Wildlife Hospital currently being planned for construction at the Redlands IndigiScapes Centre at Capalaba will relieve the unsustainable pressures being placed on the existing facility—and will provide advanced treatment, rehabilitation and education spaces that will benefit our wildlife into the future.

In January, I was fortunate to visit the IndigiScapes eco-precinct and was immensely impressed by this wonderful community resource in its beautiful bushland setting. Redland City Councillors and some of the team join us this evening, and I once again express my gratitude to them, and our State and Federal Governments, for supporting this significant RSCPA Queensland venture.

I also take this opportunity to thank the RSCPA Queensland Board, Executive and staff, the many passionate volunteers, and of course, the incredibly generous donors and philanthropists—many of whom are here this evening—for opening your hearts to this cause.

While there is still significant work to be done to reduce the threats and risks, this evening is an opportunity for us to acknowledge the achievements, and above all, to celebrate the incredible benefits that our beautiful native wildlife brings to the planet we share.