Eurobodalla’s end of summer sun and big blue skies shone down on Mogo Wildlife Park last Saturday as our community came together for a big day of fun at Mogo Wildlife Park. The day kicked off with a welcome event attended by local business and community leaders including, Fiona Phillips MP, Michael Holland MP (NSW), Mayor Mathew Hatcher, Eurobodalla Councillors – Amber Schutz, Alison Worthington, Rob Pollock, Tubby Harrison,
and Destination Southern NSW Chair and Acting GM – Richard Beere.
Local indigenous leader Adam Nye welcomed the group to Walbanja Country providing insight on the importance of welcome, and the spirit needed to visit another person’s country, which was particularly fitting as Community Day this year attracted more visitors from beyond Eurobodalla’s borders this year.
Above: Eurobodalla Councillor Amber Schutz, Mayor Mathew Hatcher, Fiona Phillips MP, Councillor Tubby Harrison and Zookeeper Chad
Above; The effervescent Mogo spokesperson Sara Ang with passionate community supporter, Jan Frikken of JJJ Oriental Supermarket
Thanking local leaders and businesses for their support, Mogo spokesperson Sara Ang commented ‘Despite everything of the past 3 years, Mogo Wildlife Park continues to be a champion for this region. We always advocate for this region, and it’s so important that the right people hear about us and the experiences we offer.’
Mayor Mathew Hatcher commented that ‘tourism is vital for the future of this region’ and recognised that the Eurobodalla community needs more events like Mogo Community Day, so we can gather, reflect and make our Shire a great place to live.
For the first time, with the support of local business JJJ Oriental Supermarket, Mogo Wildlife Park put the call-out for people to ‘pay-it-forward’ and donate tickets to go to families who would have other been unable to afford tickets to the event. Tickets were donated to the Mogo Preschool, Moruya Hospital Cancer Clinic and other groups that support those in need.
The park promises that its Community Day will continue to grow each year – and is aiming for an even bigger celebration next year in February 2024.
