Human kindness still abounds

What a breath of fresh air we had at the Attadale Rotary Club on Monday night with the informative and 'hands on' presentation by the Guest Speaker Emma McLerie. 

"Wildlife Rehabilitation fills a place in my heart that I never knew was empty".........Emma's own words and Ethos.

Emma is a young lady who through health issues out of her control wasn't able to continue her love of sport and go on to develop a business career. After volunteering with a wildlife organisation and with further training she followed a lifelong interest in our native wildlife. Emma took us through her various rescue missions (with the help of her partner Tom who has proven to be her worthy assistant).

Some members of the audience were looking warily at a covered cage and one member was heard to say "I hope there aren't any snakes in there." Fortunately for us Emma and Tom brought along their two pet Bobtails who proved to be a great attraction on the night. We also learnt that these little bobtails have their own distinct personalities, very cute and friendly.

A very poignant part of Emma's talk was how most people don't like or appreciate our native ravens, who are protected species here in WA. A raven lay injured on the side of a busy road in Kewdale and had lain there for most of a cold winter's day without any of the hundreds of motorists bothering to stop and check on the bird. Emma eventually got the call and went to rescue it. It was beyond rehabilitation, so Emma took it to Murdoch Veterinary for it to be caringly euthanised. At that stage those present felt her empathy with our native fauna. Emma also gave a lesson in how to look for a joey in the pouch of any dead kangaroos we might come across in our travels and how to look after them on the way to a rescue organisation. A couple of certain Rotarians in Kalgoorlie can be very proud of what Emma is doing voluntarily in saving our local fauna. 

As Emma is a volunteer she has had to now limit herself to rescuing reptiles, with personal costs being a factor.

We all know there are many dynamic young people in our communities and it was just wonderful to be reminded of
it by hearing Emma's presentation. 
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Thank you Emma....and Tom of course.