Steve Irwin Fellowship Established

02 February 2007

The Macquarie Bank Foundation, Qantas Airways and the Australian Consulate-General in Chicago have announced the establishment of The Steve Irwin Fellowship, in conjunction with Chicago’s John G. Shedd Aquarium.

The fellowship will enable a Midwestern high school student to travel to Australia for two weeks to work closely with staff at Steve Irwin’s Australia Zoo in Queensland and Australia’s historical Taronga Zoo in Sydney. It will be open to students who have participated in the Shedd Aquarium’s Mentor Program, designed for students interested in a career in marine science. 

“The establishment of this prestigious educational award is a collaborative initiative between the Australian Consulate-General in Chicago, Shedd Aquarium, and Chicago-based Australian businesses to honour the legacy of the late Steve Irwin,” said Bob Charles, Australian Consul General in Chicago.

Kylie Rampa, Head of Macquarie Real Estate Capital in North America, said the fellowship would deepen cross-cultural education and understanding between the US and Australia.

“As patrons of fellowship until 2010, the Macquarie Bank Foundation's support will help facilitate the first fellowship in honour of Steve Irwin and Wildlife Warriors in the US,” she said.
 
Ted Beattie, President and CEO of the John G. Shedd Aquarium, said the fellowship was a tribute to Steve Irwin’s commitment to ‘conservation through education’, a philosophy shared by the Shedd Aquarium in its work with the Chicago community.

“We are extremely grateful to the Australian Consulate-General in Chicago, Macquarie Bank Foundation and Qantas for their support and joint efforts in transforming this idea into a reality,” he said.

One of Australia’s oldest and largest corporate foundations, the Macquarie Bank Foundation contributed more than $8.5 million to 400 community organisations in the year to 31 March 2006. In addition, Macquarie staff personally raised or donated more than $2.7 million over the same period.

Since its opening in 1930, the John G. Shedd Aquarium has ranked among the world’s leading public aquariums and consistently been one of the most popular cultural attractions in Chicago. Drawing two million visitors a year, the aquarium is home to more than 25,000 animals.

Shedd remains home to Granddad – an Australian expat lungfish that arrived in 1933 through the help of Taronga Zoo.  He’s believed to be the oldest fish in the world in a public aquarium.  Shedd’s strong Australian connection also lies with Bubba a Queensland Grouper who was featured on Steve Irwin’s show New Breed Vets for being the first fish to ever undergo chemotherapy for cancer.  Bubba inspired millions of cancer patients – especially children – worldwide.

Matthew Russell
Public Relations
Macquarie Bank Limited
Tel: (612) 8232 4102
Mobile: (614) 1069 9532

Erica Sibree
Investor Relations
Macquarie Bank Limited
Tel: (612) 8232 5008
Mobile: (614) 1302 6309