THE Western Australian Museum and the Water Corporation were among those highly commended at the recent Public Relations Institute of Australia’s (WA) PR Excellence Awards.
The Water Corporation was awarded the highest score in the ‘community communication’ section for its Cockatoo Care project.
The project was launched by the corporation in conjunction with the museum on National Threatened Species Day in September 2001. Since then it has maintained a proactive public relations campaign focused on web-based communication and community engagement.
According to Western Australian Museum head of marketing and media, Wendy Hood, the project has made a real, measurable difference in raising awareness of the pressures facing cockatoos, and has helped secure funds to continue valuable research work.
“This project held great importance, as the large black cockatoo species is currently listed as endangered or threatened species and is in need of special protection,” Mrs Hood said.
“Existing nowhere else but in WA’s South West, the three species of large black cockatoo have greatly declining numbers and dangerously low breeding rates.
“Once prolific even in the metropolitan area, the Carnby’s, Baudin’s and Forest Red-tailed Black Cockatoos now face increasing habitat loss and must compete with feral bees and other creatures for the remaining nesting sites.”
Award winners included:
Government communication – RSPCA;
WW Mitchell student of the year – Sabina Obic;
New practitioner of the year – Lisa Nylander; and
Crisis management – Department for Community Development.
