OPTUS AND AWC JOIN FORCES TO TACKLE AUSTRALIA'S EXTINCTION CRISIS

Optus has joined with AWC to develop and implement an exciting new initiative, "Building Better Homes for Australian wildlife"

Australian Wildlife Conservancy (AWC) and Optus announced today an innovative new partnership which will help save some of Australia's most endangered species.

Few people realise, but Australia has one of the worst mammal extinction rates in the world. Australian Wildlife Conservancy was formed with a mandate to acquire and manage unique Australian ecosystems to protect its endangered native flora and fauna.

AWC has struck a chord with individual Australians whose support has helped secure 15 sanctuaries covering over 1.1 million hectares (2.7 million acres) in places such as North Queensland, the Kimberley, Western NSW and the forests of south-western Australia. In total, AWC sanctuaries protect over 55 percent of all Australian mammal species and more than 60 percent of its bird species.

Optus' sponsorship is AWC's first major corporate partner, and a mark of Optus' legitimate claim to being committed to protecting Australia’s wildlife.

Chief Executive of AWC, Atticus Fleming, commented "At a time when corporate support for wildlife conservation is still in its infancy, Optus has taken the lead with a major investment in the protection of Australia's endangered species.

"Given Australia's track record, and the number of unique Australian animals that are threatened with extinction, we need to find new and innovative ways of doing conservation. The Optus partnership is important in helping to define a new model for conservation in Australia which involves the community and the private sector working in partnership with the Government".

Michael Smith, Optus Consumer Group Marketing Director said "As AWC's first major corporate partner, this initiative places Optus at the front line in efforts to save Australia’s wildlife. Optus, together with our staff and customers, will be helping to deliver practical, on-ground conservation projects around Australia, as well as raising awareness about our endangered wildlife."

As part of this initiative, Optus will:

• Provide funding to assist with key, on-ground projects that protect endangered species in their natural habitat. They will also help raise public awareness of Australia's threatened wildlife, and mobilise community involvement, through innovative communication strategies on the Optus website and through the Optus customer network.
• The first species to benefit from the Optus partnership will be the Yellow-footed Rock-wallaby. The Yellow-footed Rock-wallaby is one of Australia's most beautiful wallabies, but is endangered by feral animals, particularly feral predators, and loss of habitat. Optus will help AWC protect a significant population of Yellow-footed Rock-wallabies at its Buckaringa Wildlife Sanctuary in the Flinders Ranges, South Australia.
• Launch an interactive and educational website, www.optus.com.au/wildlife, to generate awareness of the precious Yellow-footed Rock-wallaby and its natural environment.

Atticus Fleming said, "We particularly value the expertise that Optus will provide in communication services and new technologies. The Optus business model is set to play an important role in assisting AWC with our core business - saving Australia's endangered wildlife."

"It is an innovative new partnership, providing a model for corporations who wish to make a real contribution to protecting Australia's wildlife. Over one million hectares of iconic Australian eco-heritage is now protected for future generations, but AWC is acutely aware that a very narrow window of opportunity currently exists to save pristine wildlife habitat and prevent a suite of native species from going extinct. Optus is one of the first Australian corporations to recognise that we must act now."

The Optus and AWC initiative will be followed by a series of new support and educational programs throughout the year, including an initiative to help the Purple-crowned Fairy-wren.

Media contacts:
Siobhan Quinn
Optus Corporate Affairs
Tel: (02) 8082 8432