WHILE the care for the animals has unquestionably been the focus at the Ballarat Wildlife Park in recent months as visitors have disappeared due to forced closures, one group of Ballarat locals has not forgotten the staff who are also doing it tough.
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Keepers and other staff at the Ballarat Wildlife Park received a surprise visit from members of the Cathedral Christ the King (Anglican Diocese of Ballarat) who presented them with care packs, containing food products, notes from local children and even animal-inspired face masks.
A surprise collection was made possible through the work of Father Martin Nadarajan, who has started a fundraiser for the park in honour of the Feast of St Francis of Assisi which was to have occurred in the first week of October.
The packs were all put together early on Wednesday morning with the special delivery made later in the day. The idea was to show that the park's humans were also not being forgotten and were just as important to its survival as the precious animals.
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The Anglican Diocese of Ballarat is hoping to raise more than $1000 to give to the Wildlife Park in the coming weeks as part of the Feast of St Francis of Assisi which would normally have happen on the closest Sunday to October 4.
Already that total has surpassed $750 and it is hoped more can be raised in coming weeks.
Bishop Garry Weatherill told The Courier this week, the Feast of St Francis of Assisi usually involved the annual blessings of the animals at the church, but with that unable to happen this year due to a ban on religious gatherings, the church has decided to assist the animals in a different way.
"Because we've closed down, we still thought we'd do something to celebrate feast of St Francis and so we're raising money to help to supply food for the Ballarat Wildlife Park. It was Father Martin Nadarajan's idea which we thought was a great opportunity," Bishop Garry said.
If you wish to donate go to gofundme.com and search for St Francis Day Appeal.
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