Toad Media

MEDIA RELEASE

Saturday 14 January 2005

Foundation Appoints Two To On-ground Battle

Frogwatch NT cane toad expert Graeme Sawyer has been appointed Regional Coordinator for the Stop The Toad Foundation (STTF).

“The Foundation is delighted that Graeme has agreed to direct our entire on-ground activities in the north” said Robert Edel, Chairperson of the Perth based Stop The Toad Foundation.

“He brings with him enormous experience and a unique understanding of the issues facing us as we enter 2006. This year could be our last chance of stopping the cane toad from reaching WA” said Mr Edel.

Graeme Sawyer said “I am looking forward to the challenge and putting my hand up to contribute what I can. Over the next twelve months we will apply all that his been learned from past efforts to physically control cane toads. We will see whether a major trapping and hand capture effort that is well funded can have a real impact on the cane toad front as it heads towards WA.”

“We will be taking a strategic approach to the battle .. ” said Graeme, “.. building on the great work done to date by the Kimberley Toadbusters and others, with the aim of delivering a major tactical assault on the toad front toward the end of the dry season 2006. We also hope to be experimenting with a variety of other potentially useful tools including refuges and strategic fencing.”

“It is essential that everyone pulls together to fight this menace and in considering taking up this position I’ve liaised directly with the Kununurra-based Kimberley Toadbusters and look forward to continuing our excellent working relationship.”, Graeme said.

Derek Monks has been appointed Assistant Regional Coordinator and will be based in Kununurra. Derek joins the Foundation having already worked with the CALM cane toad teams in the field. His primary functions will be to assist and support volunteer community effort emanating from Kununurra and elsewhere in the north. Working from the CALM offices but under the direct guidance of the STTF, part of Derek’s job will be to liaise closely with CALM to ensure all efforts are integrated and complementary. CALM and STTF have each contributed half of the salary for this position, to that end.

Robert Edel 0409 244 029
Graeme Sawyer 0411 881 378

Graeme Sawyer profile (44 kb pdf)

Stop The Toad Foundation (Inc.) 2 Delhi St West Perth 6005 08 94207266