It was wonderful to see so many philanthropists and those working in the charitable sector being acknowledged in the recent Australia Day Honours List. Among those were Andrew Myer and his wife Kerry Gardner, each receiving an AM (A Member of the Order of Australia) for their significant contribution to conservation, culture and the film industry.
Andrew joined the Bush Heritage Australia Board in 2007, and served until 2016 – eight of those as vice-president. He played a critical role in fundraising $4 million for the purchase of our Hamelin Reserve in 2014, chairing the Hamelin Station Founders' Circle. This was a once-in-a lifetime conservation opportunity to extend the protection of the Shark Bay World Heritage Area by a substantial 10% and create a 200km corridor of connected nature reserves, and a purchase that will continue to have far-reaching gains for conservation into the future.
Andrew continues to be part of the Bush Heritage family as an ambassador for our Bush Legacy Circle, a community of like-minded individuals who've chosen to support the conservation of our most important ecosystems beyond our own lifetimes through a bequest pledge.
Andrew and Kerry’s giving is quite inspiring; but I wanted to take a moment to say thank you to all of our donors, whatever your contribution may be. You are all part of our growing conservation community, and what makes us one of Australia’s largest and most effective organisations.
Andrew Myer