Lizard Island has only three small areas of human habitation – the Lizard Island Research Station, operated by the Australian Museum, the environmentally friendly Lizard Island Resort, operated by Delaware North and a small campground operated by Queensland National Parks. Although completely separate entities, the Station and the Resort are close friends and good neighbours.
The presence of the Resort is beneficial to the Station. The Resort has a regular barge service from Cairns that the Station uses to bring in supplies and research apparatus. The Resort’s daily charter flights with East Air from Cairns can be used by researchers, along with a regular service provided by Hinterland Aviation.
The presence of the Resort is also beneficial to our fund-raising. The Resort informs guests about the work of the Station and our Foundation. They have an opportunity to visit the Station and many consider it a highlight of their stay on the island. Most come away with a deeper appreciation of the ecological importance of the reef and why our science requires and merits ongoing donor support. Several have become regular LIRRF donors.
Each year since acquiring the Resort in 2009, Delaware North has donated a Resort-stay prize to support our fund-raising. Mindful that our donor base is ageing (gracefully), we extended the FY15 prize draw to engage a younger generation. The FY15 prize was drawn by Dr. Rebecca Johnson in July. It was won by Nikki Weston. This is the note we received from Nikki after her recent stay at the Resort.
My partner Rich and I spent last weekend at Lizard Island and it was beyond anything we could have ever imagined experiencing. It is something that a lot of people would never get to experience or even know that they can experience such a holiday within our own backyard. Lizard Island truly is a magical place and I will be remembering this holiday for a long time to come. It really did come at a great time in our life and we completely appreciated every single moment we spent there. Thank you thank you thank you! We have promised ourselves we will be returning again, sooner rather than later. As requested, I’ve attached some pics from our stay.
Delaware North has generously renewed the Resort-stay prize for FY16 . All FY16 donors and all current subscribers to our e-mail will be included in the July 2016 draw. If you have not already done so, please help it do its work by making an FY16 donation.