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Gould Recognises Australian Firefighters over Bird Habitat Protection on World Environment Day
Summary

5/06/2008

Gould

Media Release

5 June 2008

Gould Recognises Australian Firefighters over Bird Habitat Protection

Firefighters throughout Australia will be honoured today for their protection of hundreds of millions of hectares of Australia's native bird habitats over the past century at a special ceremony at Federation Square Melbourne for World Environment Day.

Gould, formerly the Gould League, Australia's oldest environmental education organisation, has announced the recognition of firefighters and emergency service agencies throughout Australia in the next twelve months commencing with Victoria, as part of its centenary celebrations.

CFA, MFB, SES and the Australasian Fire and Emergency Service Authorities Council will receive the first certificates.

Heather Campbell, Chairman of Gould said, whilst the community recognises the important vital role firefighters everywhere undertake in saving lives and property, we believe the enormous contribution they make to the environmental health of Australia and their local communities is often overlooked.

Gould for the first time in nearly one hundred years will strike a special centenary certificate of recognition for Australia's firefighters throughout Australia. The certificate will be displayed today on Federation Square's big screen.

Students from Heatherhill and Chelsea Primary Schools will attend the ceremony and will receive a historic Gould badge to mark the day.

The personalised certificate of recognition will be made available online to hundreds of thousands of firefighters past and present throughout Australia.

Ms Campbell said "the recognition comes at a time when all firefighters and the broader community will face increased environmental challenges through climate change including droughts, lack of water and more intense storms.

"We believe there will also be many of firefighters who have had a relationship with the Gould League through the signing of the historic Bird Lover's Pledge when they were at school.

"The Gould League was formed in 1909 following a suggestion by Jessica McMichael, a young school teacher from Richmond and with Australia's Prime Minister Alfred Deakin as its' first patron to protect Australia's birds. Millions of Australian children have since signed a Bird Lover's Pledge in thousands of classrooms to protect Australia's native birds."

Click here for direct link for the Gould Firefighters Certificate.

Media Enquiries:
Heather Campbell Chairman Gould Mobile: 0408 068 897
Ron Smith Media Communications Gould Group (03) 9818 5700 Mobile: 0417 329 201

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