Animal hero award

By Dion Teasdale
ENVIRONMENTAL campaigner Peter Hannaford is one of five Australians recognised by the International Fund for Animal Welfare for outstanding contributions to wildlife.
Mr Hannaford, manager of the Judith Eardley Wildlife Association, which operates a second-hand goods and bookshop in Healesville, was presented with an 2006 IFAW Wildlife Protection award this month.
IFAW Asia Pacific director Mark McIntyre, who presented the award, said Mr Hannaford was being honoured for his devotion to raising awareness and money for the preservation of wildlife.
“Peter’s commitment to saving wildlife is remarkable. People like Peter are our real super-heroes and it’s vital they are recognised,” Mr McIntyre said.
In December 2000 Mr Hannaford helped set up the charity shop to raise funds for wildlife causes. Since then he has devoted seven days a week, without being paid a salary, to run the shop with a team of volunteers.
Over the past five years the shop has raised more than $750,000, funds that have been used to buy habitat for endangered species in the local area.
Mr Hannaford’s most recent preservation venture, the Torch of Concern Relay for Wildlife, is focused on saving the red tailed black cockatoo.
The relay, expected to take a year to complete, began in Healesville in August and is on its way to Casterton in Western Victoria.
“I feel honoured and grateful, and receive this award on behalf of the team,” Mr Hannaford said.
“We all have a responsibility to the environment. Working here is a privilege.”