Watermark   

More than six years have now elapsed since Birds Australia disbanded the former Rotamah Island Bird Observatory Committee and closed down the Observatory. Since that time continuing efforts and activities have been undertaken by the Committee, members and supporters of RIBO Inc. to establish an ongoing viable operation on Rotamah Island which will provide a range of activities in education, conservation and recreation based around an observatory and education centre.

To date since Birds Australia closed the observatory in November 2001 Jim Downey then CEO of Birds Australia arranged for the removal of the Computer and Visitors book to the Melbourne Office of Birds Australia at the time of departure of the Wardens who were relocated by BA to the Observatory at Broome.

Keith Murray our former Secretary along with some helpers arranged for the storage of the library books, magazines, reports and other valuable items, the property of the Observatory, with Parks Victoria in Bairnsdale and boxed and transported them to storage.

The Council of Birds Australia resolved to support an independent local committee in their endeavour to continue the operation of the observatory at Rotamah Island. In February 2002 four members of the RIBO Inc. committee visited Birds Australia Melbourne Office and negotiated with Jim Downey EO of Birds Australia a lease arrangement for the equipment and materials accumulated by the previous BA RIBO committee.

We were encouraged by several directors of the Hugh D T Williamson foundation to modify our constitution to allow for full tax deductibility, which they were prepared to facilitate, through the good offices of Freehills. This work along with our inclusion on the Commonwealth register of environmental organizations enables us to qualify for the investment of foundation and other charitable funds to enable the re-establishment of the Observatory despite the removal of the assets Birds Australia has disposed of.

We have ongoing support and encouragement from Gippsland conservation group “Watermark” and by the support of Gippsland South MP Mr. Peter Ryan – whose communication over the years with successive Ministers Garbutt and Thwaites received encouraging responses.

In the past twelve months we have made several visits to the island for the purpose of provision of assessment of costs to refurbish the existing buildings and facilities also for the development by Nexus Consultants Ltd. of a costed concept and business plan to be provided to the Minister and Parks in support of our application for a long term lease of the facilities on the Island. This too has been facilitated by The Williamson Foundation

The number of people expressing an interest in the rebirth of RIBO is continuing to grow steadily and despite what seems an extraodinarily long process we at last seem to be gaining support from all the quarters we will need to complete the re-establishment of the Rotamah observatory.

Our sincere thanks go to Secretary Alwyn and Treasurer Wally along with Committee members The Watermark committee and especially the encouragement, support and influence provided by Denis and Martin from the Williamson Foundation.