Every year on 7 September, we are reminded of what is at stake. Threatened Species Day marks the anniversary of the last known thylacine’s death in 1936 — the day a species disappeared from our world forever. It is not just a date in history; it’s a warning. Once a species is gone, there is no bringing it back.
This year, as I reflect on what Threatened Species Day means, I keep returning to one truth: if we want to save Australia’s most endangered wildlife, we can’t play it safe. At FAME, we lead with boldness, stepping into uncertainty and sitting in discomfort — because that is where change happens. We take risks to save species, knowing that success is never guaranteed, but extinction is.
For 32 years, we — as a community — have stood together to make this possible. FAME’s funding has been a catalyst in saving species from extinction — over 85 projects protecting both flora and fauna. Our support has brought the plight of these species to the forefront of national attention. From safer havens for wildlife, both unfenced and enclosed, to the fight for the red handfish, the spiny daisy, rare orchids, quolls and more — each project reflects a collective decision to act, even when the path is challenging.
We act boldly because our community stands with us. You provide the funds that back both the species and the on-ground partners who fight for them every day. Together, we share the courage it takes to act now, not later — knowing our robust framework, acquittal process, and scientific expertise give every project the greatest possible chance of success.
We are living in a multi-crisis: biodiversity loss, climate change, and environmental degradation, all compounding and intersecting. In the face of this, safety is not an option.
Our community shares our vision and love for the natural world — and it means so much to the team and to me. We see it at every donor function, in our correspondence with each other, in every phone call, and every time we come together for the same cause. After all, we know we are the ancestors of the future — and the future does not yet exist; it is ours to create. For us, that means choosing action over hesitation, courage over comfort, and standing — together — to give Australia’s most endangered wildlife a fighting chance.
Thankyou for your continued belief in what we do.