Australia on our minds …
Along with the rest of the world, we have been watching with sadness the news of the devastating bushfires currently raging in Australia. We are most grateful, though, to have learned that our tour directors and colleagues there have remained safe amid the destruction of homes and acreage.
Having operated tours in Australia for more than 20 years, we feel a strong affection for the Land Down Under, its people, and its wildlife. Our tours continue to operate at this time, with our guests’ safety uncompromised, as the destinations we visit are not in the areas of the bushfires. Indeed, Australia needs our support now more than ever.
To that end, and with estimates of close to one billion animals killed or affected by the fires, Odysseys Unlimited has made a donation to WIRES (New South Wales’ Wildlife Information, Rescue and Education Service Inc. https://www.wires.org.au/), Australia’s largest wildlife rescue organization that has been saving and caring for native wildlife for more than 30 years. WIRES’ staff and volunteers have been working around the clock to ensure that as many native animals as possible receive the ongoing care, supplementary food, and recovery they need. This includes koalas, kangaroos, wallabies, wombats, possums, echidnas, birds, reptiles and more.
Should you be interested in considering a donation to reputable organizations providing relief for those affected by the fires, we have listed a few here:
Australian Red Cross' Disaster Relief and Recovery
Givit: Provides essential items to fire victims; 100% of funds received used for purchases
https://givit.worldsecuresystems.com/
New South Wales Rural Fire Service
https://www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/volunteer/support-your-local-brigade
Save the Children: Creating Child Friendly Spaces to support kids impacted by the fires
https://www.savethechildren.org.au/donate/more-ways-to-give/current-appeals/bushfire-emergency
