InterNICHE was granted $2,500 for a project promoting the replacement of the harmful use of animals in education.  Over two hundred copies of the book From Guinea Pig to Computer Mouse: alternative methods for a progressive, humane education were distributed Australia-wide.  The project was widely promoted to the scientific educational community  through the ANZCCART email list and at the ANZCCART conferences in 2005 and 2006, and also received coverage in the email lists and print newsletters of several Australian animal protection groups. The grant further funded the distribution of 30 copies of Helena Pedersen's book Humane Education in Laboratory Classes. Aspects, Attitudes and Implications.    

The Australian arm of Compassion in World Farming (CIWF) was granted $5,000 for the development of teacher support materials for the DVD Farm Animals & Us in Australia (also funded by Voiceless in the 2004 grants program).  The resulting three curriculum units will facilitate uptake and use of the DVD resource in Australian classrooms.

Michelle Read-Zorn was granted $5,000 for the creation of the Australian Humane Educators Network, which provides teachers and parents with resources and assistance for educating students about animal protection issues.  Interest has already been shown by a nationwide Parents and Citizens organisation, with a promotion highlighting AHEN and its objectives.

Dr Barry Spurr was granted $5,000 towards a campaign with the principal objective to achieve a state-wide ban on circuses using animals, by first achieving local council bans throughout NSW.  In June 2006, as a result of Barry’s efforts – and those of other dedicated activists who had been working on this issue independently – Parramatta City Council passed a unanimous motion to ban performing-animal circuses.  The project continues, as Barry is currently pursuing the remaining local councils which still approve performing-animal circuses in NSW.  Update February 2007:  Another success for the animals thanks to on-going lobbying efforts.  Wingecarribee Shire Council, NSW (covering such towns as Bowral, Moss Vale and Mittagong) has just voted to ban wild and exotic animals from circuses in the shire.

Edgar’s Mission was granted $10,000 in total.  The sanctuary provides homes for unwanted and abused farm animals, particularly pigs, and also serves to educate people about intensive farming.  $5,000 from Voiceless was allocated towards the care and upkeep of Alice the pig, a one-time factory farm pig who appeared in the movie Charlotte’s Web and was then ‘retired’ to the sanctuary. Voiceless sponsor, Bio-Distributors also contributed $5,000 towards the ‘Kindness Trail’ – an educational, interactive walk through the sanctuary that was launched with an Open Day on 1 October 2006.  

Central Queensland University was granted $10,000 for the development of a resource kit to address the deliberate harm of animals by children. The kit, titled ‘Happy Animals’ includes an information leaflet for adults and an interactive CD Rom for children to work through. The kit has been distributed to and well-received by state departments of child safety and RSPCA centres across the country.

Wildlife Warriors Worldwide received $10,000 towards “Project Steward” which is intended to achieve the introduction of legislation in Queensland for spotter catchers to be used in all land clearing activities so as to minimise the impact on wildlife.  To date, a 40 page document entitled “Code of Practice for the Welfare of Wildlife Affected by Land Clearing and Other Habitat Impacts” has been prepared and stakeholder meetings have begun.



Dr Gail Tulloch of Griffith University was granted $10,000 towards a pilot project titled ‘Learning to Care: Education for Compassion’. The first component of the project consisted of a research phase where students and teachers in Queensland schools were asked about their understanding of and attitudes towards animal ethics issues. This research formed the basis of a detailed report which outlined the need for curriculum development and teacher training to ensure that animal ethics education is incorporated into the school program. (This project was generously sponsored by Morinda Australia Pty Ltd.)


Animal Liberation SA was granted $15,000 towards the purchase of a van for education and outreach purposes.  The van, which is ideal for taking to festivals and demonstrations, has already been used to transport Priscilla, a life-sized paper mâché sow with a regulation size sow stall, to several events. 

People Against Cruelty in Animal Transport (PACAT) was granted $15,000 to support a major advertising campaign exposing the myths of the live export trade, focusing on the transport of sheep in ships from Fremantle to the Middle East.  A series of print ads exposing the myths was run in the Saturday edition of the West Australian, which is read by one million readers every week and covers the entire state.  This print media message was reinforced with a series of billboards around the city of Perth.
 

Animals’ Angels was granted $15,000 towards their investigation and documentation of loadings at Fremantle Harbour as part of the live animal export trade.  In response to reports from Animals’ Angels, the Department of Local Government and Regional Development has appointed six new inspectors.  Animals’ Angels is also now the only animal welfare group other than RSPCA WA to have been invited to join a state government-related board, committee or group.   

Vegetarian/Vegan Society of Queensland was granted $2,500 to print copies of the ‘Boycott Cruelty – Go Vegan’ booklet. ‘Boycott Cruelty – Go Vegan’ is a straightforward and eye-catching brochure that addresses the implications of meat consumption in relation to human health, the environment and of course, animal welfare. Copies of the booklet continue to be distributed far and wide throughout Australia and New Zealand.

Animal Liberation NSW was granted $5,000 to support the extension of the mobile video education van project into rural areas.  The education van, which was also funded by Voiceless in 2004, has now been used in city, metropolitan and country areas of NSW to promote awareness about a wide range of animal protection issues including live export, sow stalls, vivisection, battery hens, the fur industry, pate de foi gras, rodeos and horse racing.

Coomalie Community Government Council, NT was granted $5,000 to conduct an ‘Animal Awareness Program’ for residents in the region. With the help of the funds from the Voiceless grant, the Council was able to organise a whole range of information sessions and workshops about caring for both domestic animals and native wildlife. The sessions were extremely popular  and proved to be a very effective way of promoting respect and compassion for animals within the community.

Student Youth Network – VIC was granted $5,000 to create a series of Community Service Announcements (CSAs) to raise awareness about animal protection issues. The CSAs were broadcast nationally over a period of 9 months on the community radio satellite, reaching young people across Australia.

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