Cake sale raises cash for park

Pledging their support for one of Australia’s most endangered species, Roebuck Primary School students raised more than $500 for a groundbreaking bilby program at the Malcolm Douglas Wilderness Park.

The students held a cake sale earlier this month to raise funds for the park’s bilby breeding program following an excursion to the centre.

Last term as part of their studies on endangered species, two Year 4 classes visited the park to see some of the Kimberley’s endangered animals.

During their tour, the students were lucky enough to see a baby bilby up close while park staff conducted a monthly audit of the bilby population. Park owner Mark Jones, wilderness park manager Marshall Black and Valerie Douglas were invited to attend an assembly at the school to receive the cheque.

Mr Jones graciously accepted the donation and thanked students for their efforts.

As a special thank you, staff presented the school with free passes to the park and two DVD copies of Mr Douglas’ last, yet-to-be-released documentary Rescue the Bilby.

Mr Black said the school’s donation would go towards building more enclosures for further breeding and research studies with Murdoch University.

He said the park’s bilby program had taken off in the last 10 years, and he estimated there were 30 bilbies in the vicinity.

He said generous contributions from the community helped keep the late Malcolm Douglas’ dream alive in saving bilbies from extinction after witnessing a tremendous decline in numbers over the years.

Mr Black encouraged everyone to visit the bilby display at the wilderness park, which is free of charge, and said every donation was vital in helping to save the endangered marsupials.