Australian of the Day is Anthony Walsgott, developer of the country’s largest cow sanctuary
A CHILDHOOD spent in a Victorian farming town led Anthony Walsgott to develop Australia’s largest cow sanctuary, now home to over 200 contented bovines.
OVER the past few years Anthony Walsgott has rescued around 220 cows and bulls from slaughterhouses and the dairy industry. Now they’re living out their years at Australia’s largest cow sanctuary.
It was a childhood spent in a Victorian farming town that led today’s Australian of the Day to ultimately see cows as “pure victims”.
As a boy he noted, “They don’t eat other animals, they just eat grass and do their own thing. They have their own individual personalities, family groups and social groups. They’re very similar to humans in a lot of respects.”
After forging a career as a wildlife conservation lawyer working to preserve natural habitat and protect native species, Anthony turned his attention to preserving the lives of bovine animals the majority of Australians take for granted.
In 2010 he established his Save A Cow sanctuary in Queensland’s Sunshine Coast hinterland, rescuing animals that would otherwise be slaughtered.
Anthony operates the sanctuary with the support of local farmers and ensures his charges are well fed, have proper veterinary care and can roam free. “It’s pretty special to see a cow and a calf together and know that her calf will never be taken off her,” he says. “I’m honoured to be part of enabling that”.
Not content to stop there, Anthony’s next goal is to secure legal rights for cows and other farm animals. “I see them as extremely worthy of being shown respect and compassion and love,” says Anthony. “It’s that simple.”
CommBank has partnered with News Corp Australia to champion the Australian of the Day initiative which celebrates people in our neighbourhoods and communities who really make a difference to how we live and who we are. People like Anthony, who enrich the lives of others. You can read all their stories ataustralianoftheday.com.au, where you can also nominate someone you know.
Originally published as Australian of the Day is Anthony Walsgott, developer of the country’s largest cow sanctuary
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