Currumbin Wildlife Hospital: Tension over ‘sudden loss’ of several trustees, fears donations will stop unless NTAQ passes resolution
Tension is growing after seven high profile Gold Coast trustees were ousted from the Currumbin Wildlife Hospital Foundation, with fears donations may dry up. FULL STORY >>>
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FINANCIAL donors are concerned gifts to the Currumbin Wildlife Hospital may dry up if the National Trust of (Queensland) Australia doesn’t pass a formal resolution guaranteeing money given to sick and injured animals won’t be spent on “old buildings”.
The Bulletin has been approached by several donors who say they want more than verbal reassurances from the NTAQ that their money will be given to the hospital.
In August, the NTAQ restructured the Currumbin Wildlife Hospital Foundation (CWHF) and got rid of seven high-profile independent trustees who’d raised about $10m for animals. After paying for native wildlife animal treatment about $4m remains.
The wildlife hospital and Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary (CWS) operate as separate identities and at the end of each quarter the CWHFT makes a donation to the NTAQ.
Last month NTAQ president Henry Smerdon said the CWHF was restructured to ensure the organisation took advantage of and complied with the NTAQ tax status, “while reducing administration and ensuring donors funds are maximised for the care of hospital animals”.
“The new structure enables us to expand our fundraising efforts to support the Currumbin Wildlife Hospital (CWH) and the wonderful work of our team,” he said.
But tension is growing in the community, with financial contributors reconsidering donating to the hospital because of the uncertainty surrounding the restructure.
“Why won’t the national trust agree to setting up a separate sub-account for wildlife donations and then call a special meeting of the board to pass a formal resolution and be done with it?,” one donor said. “Doing this would leave no doubt in the minds of the hundreds of generous people who donate money for the care of sick and injured wildlife at the hospital.”
One supporter said: “Might have to change my will. Money intended for sick animals not old buildings”, while another person has decided to stop donating altogether.
“That money has been donated for the use of CWH to assist sick and injured wildlife by thousands of people like me. The funds were not donated to be diverted away from the CWH for other uses. I won’t be giving any further funds until this is sorted out,” said the person.
The Bulletin asked Mr Smerdon if he was aware that people were “hesitant to donate to the hospital in fear the money will be used on the trust’s other assets?”
Questions were also asked in regards to why the NTAQ would not set up a separate bank account or pass a formal resolution stating all money raised for the hospital would go to the hospital.
Mr Smerdon said the hospital was expanding its services to support the “wonderful work of its team thanks to the generous support of donors”.
“The Currumbin Wildlife Hospital is continuing its long history of providing care to native animals and increasing its resources and activities throughout the region due to the generous donations made by many thousands of donors,” he said.
“During difficult circumstances we’ve been able to provide care for an increasing number of native wildlife, expand the koala vaccination program, care for animals across the NSW border during Covid lockdown, employ additional nurses and purchase vital new equipment to treat patients in the hospital.
“We remain committed to providing the best veterinary care to native wildlife and to the preservation of our vulnerable species through research projects undertaken at Currumbin Wildlife Hospital.
“We operate a separate bank account to ensure all funds are used directly for hospital projects and all donors can rest assured that the funds donated have always and will always go to hospital projects and to run this vital community service.”
It’s understood the bank account Mr Smerdon refers to is an existing one, and not one that has been set up recently as requested by the seven outgoing trustees.
Mr Smerdon also listed recent activities undertaken by the Currumbin Wildlife Hospital, this included taking care of 8026 patients year-to-date, an increase of 467 patients or 6.2 per cent compared to the same period last year.
He said the hospital had also recently employed a new veterinary intern, new part-time vet and two new veterinary nurses to manage the extra demand of wildlife.
“Pottsville koala hub which is operated by CWH remains open despite the challenges of the NSW border and is critical care for koalas in northern rivers region,” he said.
“The koala vaccine project continues to expand – we have vaccinated 135 koala that have been released from CWH and we are actively tracking four koalas in the Elanora area post vaccinated.”
Minister seeks answers after ‘controversial’ dismissal of wildlife trustees
Sept 9
GOLD Coast MP and Environment Minister Meaghan Scanlon has sought assurances that state funds will be used to care for sick and injured animals after the restructure of the Currumbin Wildlife Hospital Foundation Trust and “controversial” dismissal of seven high profile trustees.
“I would hope that any funding raised for the wildlife hospital is used for the benefit of the wildlife hospital,” said Ms Scanlon.
“My department has also contacted the hospital seeking written assurance that funding provided to them as part of the SEQ Wildlife Hospital Network will be used for the hospital.
“The Currumbin Wildlife Hospital and the National Trust of Australia has provided that assurance to my department.
“The Palaszczuk Government knows how important the Currumbin Wildlife Hospital is in supporting the treatment, rehabilitation, and release of our native wildlife.
“That’s why we’ve committed $7.5 million to support the SEQ Wildlife Hospital Network since 2017, which includes annual funding to the Currumbin hospital.”
The National Trust of Australia (Queensland) (NTAQ) said the $4m raised by the trustees would be given to the wildlife hospital. It added that the new structure of the hospital foundation would enable the trust to expand its fundraising efforts.
FULL RESPONSE BELOW
Outcry at ‘controversial’ dismissal of wildlife hospital trustees
September 6, 2021
WILDLIFE Queensland’s local president wants further investigations into the “sudden loss” of seven independent trustees who have raised millions of dollars for sick and injured animals at the Currumbin Wildlife Hospital.
President of Wildlife Queensland’s Gold Coast & Hinterland Branch, Sally Spain also fears any erosion of public confidence may impact on “already suffering wildlife”.
“The controversial recent circumstances, re: the Currumbin wildlife Hospital Foundation Trust (CWHFT) matter, certainly does need the scrutiny of the Australian Charities and Not-for-Profits Commission (ACNC) and indeed the community,” said Ms Spain.
“Public perception and the perception of openness and accountability, re: funds going towards alleviating loss of wildlife, is paramount, especially during the current species extinction crisis.
“Morale of staff, who work with dedication under stress during this ongoing tide of injuries, is also important and some certainty of consistent support is essential.
“It seems the sudden loss of all seven independent trustees, who were part of an apparently successful fundraising team, needs further investigation, especially as, if there is any erosion of public confidence, it will be support for the already suffering wildlife that will be imperilled.”
Meanwhile, Don spoke in defence of the National Trust of Australia (Queensland), the charity that restructured the CWHFT and dismissed the seven trustees as part of this.
“Before you criticise, learn more about the National Trust (NT),” he said.
“The volunteer team at NT property Wolston House, Brisbane, work hard to raise money to improve all maintenance of the building, contents and gardens. They do their own fundraising and run the tea terrace restaurant. They work separately from Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary.
“Wolston was helped by a State Government grant to upgrade disabled facilities and help preserve Brisbane’s only National Trust property. It is used in the school education program. Don said the National Trust relied heavily on dedicated volunteer teams connected to each of its individual properties and its annual membership fees.
“They work to preserve important heritage sites for future generations. That’s something the Gold Coast is seriously lacking,” he said.
“Give a donation if you care about the sanctuary’s future.”
However, National Trust member Lois said the removal of the trustees, who’ve raised some $10 million since being appointed, was a “very worrying development”.
“As a National Trust member I am wondering why I never received any notification of this major change,” she said.
“Some long term residents of the Gold Coast will remember a similar situation many years ago. I hope history is not repeating itself.
“The Wildlife Hospital does amazing work within a very limited building. I am pleased to hear that the situation is being investigated by the not-for profit and charities commission as a way to clarify the situation.”
Turmoil at wildlife hospital as trustees turfed out
Sept 2
ONE of the Gold Coast’s most iconic organisations is in turmoil with seven respected business leaders turfed out.
The National Trust of Australia (Queensland) (NTAQ) has overthrown all independent trustees at the Currumbin Wildlife Hospital Foundation Trust (CWHFT) and taken control of the multimillion-dollar nest egg trustees raised to help injured and sick animals at the Currumbin Wildlife Hospital (CWH).
The removal of the trustees comes after Covid lockdowns decimated visitors to the Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary, a cash cow for the NTAQ, and the sanctuary started haemorrhaging money.
The row has gone to the Australian Charities and Non-for-profits Commission, with the charity watchdog saying it could not comment on whether a concern had been raised or if the charity was under investigation.
It follows a Bulletin report in February which revealed the CWH was struggling to keep up with demand for its services as the busiest native wildlife hospital in Australia.
In 2020 the hospital recorded its busiest year on record, with 14,000 wildlife admissions, up from 12,200 the year before and well ahead of Australia Zoo’s estimated 8000.
It is understood while trustees accepted the NTAQ was within its rights to restructure the hospital trust, insiders fear the money will be used to repair and maintain the NTAQ’s ageing fleet of buildings, farm houses and museums outside of the Gold Coast.
But the NTAQ said that any CWHF funds would be used for the care of the native wildlife.
NTAQ president Henry Smerdon said the NTAQ board recommended upgrading the CWHF to an internal fund of the national trust for “greater fundraising opportunities under the Deductible Gift Recipient Item 1 status of the national trust”.
“A more consolidated streamlined approach to fundraising would ensure donors’ dollars were spent according to their wishes and minimise the trust’s costs in administration,” he said.
“The new structure enables us to expand our fundraising efforts to support the Currumbin Wildlife Hospital and the wonderful work of our team.
“The CWHF Trust remains in existence with funds to be distributed to the Currumbin Wildlife Hospital for the care of native wildlife in the same way since 2010, in accordance with the Trust deed.”
The hospital foundation’s independent trustees were: fellowship Rotarian and veterinarian Dr Rob Thomasson, Gold Coast Airport chief operating officer Marion Charlton, former CEO of John Flynn Private Hospital Greg Jenke, investment manager and philanthropist Manny Pohl AM, former district governor of Rotary District 9640 Darrell Brown, mining magnate Douglas Buerger and Bartercard director and Southern Cross University council member Murray d’Almeida.
They were kicked off the trust effective August 1 and all declined to comment for this story.
In the past six years the trustees have voluntarily raised about $10m and after paying for native wildlife animal treatment there’s about $4m in the kitty.
The wildlife hospital and Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary (CWS) operate as separate identities and at the end of each quarter the CWHFT makes a donation to the NTAQ equal to the amount as assessed by the hospital’s chief veterinary officer as the cost to the hospital for treating native wildlife.
It’s understood the seven business leaders became trustees after being approached several years ago by the Currumbin Wildlife Hospital Foundation chairman, their appointments were then ratified by the NTAQ board. None of the seven have ever been on the NTAQ board.
In September 2020, the NTAQ appointed three new trustees to the CWHFT, all either current or former directors of the NTAQ, to join the seven independents who had been actively fundraising for about six years.
Following the Covid-19 pandemic and subsequent loss of visitors and income to the CWS, a cash generator for the NTAQ, the organisation this year unilaterally decided to restructure the wildlife foundation trust by removing the seven business leaders.
One source told the Bulletin the trustees were aiming to build the fund to about $20m so that the ongoing costs associated with the treatment of native animals at the wildlife hospital could be covered from the annual income generated by the fund.
“These local philanthropist trustees have donated their time and made personal donations to ensure the long-term treatment of native wildlife at the Currumbin Wildlife Hospital and now the money might be used to give an old building a lick of paint,” said the person.
The Bulletin has been told the trustees made numerous attempts to get the NTAQ to pass a resolution stating that under the new structure two different funds and accounts would be set up, one for wildlife at the hospital and one for heritage buildings and other assets.
No such undertaking was given by the NTAQ.
It now has access to the more than $4m raised by the trustees specifically for the treatment and care of sick and injured wildlife at the hospital and maintains that is how the money will be applied.
HISTORY OF THE CURRUMBIN WILDLIFE SANCTUARY
ALEX Griffiths, an Australian beekeeper, flower grower and conservationist, founded the 27-hectare Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary on his family property at Currumbin in 1947 after feeding wild lorikeets to distract them from damaging his prize-winning flowers.
Each day crowds of people would visit the Sanctuary to hold the plates of bread and honey for the birds to gather around.
The lorikeet feeding then featured in the October 1956 edition of The National Geographic Magazine article titled “The Honey Eaters of Currumbin” and this attracted international awareness of the sanctuary which saw an increase in visitor numbers.
In addition to his work with native animals, Mr Griffiths was active in trying to protect the natural habitat and local environment.
He lobbied to stop sand mining on land adjoining the sanctuary, raised concerns regarding the impact of gravel mining on waterways and was involved in efforts to place restrictions on the trapping of native wildlife and birds.
Mr Griffiths donated the property to the people of Queensland, to be managed by the National Trust of Australia (Queensland) in 1976.
Originally called the Currumbin Bird Sanctuary, the NTAQ renamed it the Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary in 1995. In 2009 the Sanctuary was added to the Queensland State Heritage Register, and it’s now home to more than 900 animals.
In 1989, the original Currumbin Wildlife Hospital was founded and in 2000 Dr Michael Pyne was appointed senior veterinarian, a position he maintains to this day.
“In that time I have seen both the sanctuary and hospital grow into world-class facilities contributing vital conservation and research outcomes making a real difference to the fate of our native wildlife,” said Dr Pyne.
“The passion and commitment of the staff drive the many projects, ensuring we produce significant results from the resources we have available.
“While Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary and Hospital may be doing amazing work, we will only truly make a difference if the community gets behind supporting wildlife — only together can we ensure wildlife has a secure future.”
According to the NTAQ, the Currumbin Wildlife Hospital is funded primarily through Currumbin Wildlife Hospital Foundation with all funds raised going directly to the treatment of native wildlife for release.
Source: The National Trust of Australia (Queensland) Conservation Plan
HISTORY OF THE NATIONAL TRUST OF (QUEENSLAND) AUSTRALIA (NTAQ)
THE National Trust of Australia (Queensland) is a non-profit organisation and member-based charity that says it offers people the opportunity to feel connected to significant places, collections and stories.
Its mission is to “to protect, conserve and celebrate Queensland’s environmental, built and cultural heritage”.
“We advocate for the recognition and care of Australian heritage and have more than 1000 volunteers and employees statewide who manage our properties from Currumbin to Cooktown,” says the NTAQ on its website.
The Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary and Currumbin Wildlife Hospital are the only Gold Coast assets operated by the organisation.
“We are committed to looking after, promoting and passing onto the community at large our indigenous, natural and historic built heritage through our advocacy work, education, fundraising efforts and our custodianship of heritage places and collections,” it says
Established by state legislation in 1963 as a member-based charity, in 2014 statutory body National Trust of Queensland became the National Trust of Australia (Queensland) Limited, a public company limited by guarantee, a registered charity still, but independent of state and federal governments.
NTAQ is governed by a board under the provisions of the constitution and this board determines the policies of NTAQ and governs the activities undertaken by NTAQ’s staff and volunteers.
“We are governed by an independent board of directors supported by various advisory committees including the National Trust Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary; Audit and Risk; Advocacy and Collections Committees,” it says.
- NTAQ heritage sites include:
- Wolston Farmhouse
- Grandchester Railway Station
- Royal Bull’s Head Inn
- Harris House
- Brennan and Geraghty’s Store Museum
- Zara Clark Museum
- Stock Exchange Arcade
- Townsville Heritage Centre
- Hou Wang Chinese Temple and Museum
- James Cook Museum
- Australian Heritage Sites
- International Heritage Sites
Originally published as Currumbin Wildlife Hospital: Tension over ‘sudden loss’ of several trustees, fears donations will stop unless NTAQ passes resolution
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