Green Gully Purchase secures 13,000 hectares of wilderness
Edwina Priest and Carmen Welss

Our donors and supporters have completed the massive task of raising 1.3 million dollars to protect one of the last strongholds of the endangered Brush-tailed Rock-wallaby in NSW.

Brush-tailed Rock Wallaby Photo: Max Herford

In March 2003, an article by James Woodford in the Sydney Morning Herald kick-started the Foundation’s greatest endeavours in years, the Green Gully Appeal to raise 1.3 million dollars. The response from readers was overwhelming. Within one week they gave the appeal a head start of more than 10,000 dollars.

Two years later our donors, sponsors, the government and finally the Vincent Fairfax Family Foundation have raised the full amount of 1.3 million dollars needed for the purchase which has now led to the protection of 13,000 hectares of pristine wilderness and wildlife habitat in northern NSW.

The property ‘Green Gully’ came up for sale in 2003, offering a unique opportunity to consolidate one of the most significant wilderness areas left in Australia.

Tooth Rock, Green Gully Photo: Henry Gold

Green Gully contains four rugged mountains, three wild rivers and a diversity of ecosystems including vast areas of open woodland, 100 hectares of World Heritage listed dry rainforest and tall old growth timberland, which provide essential tree hollow shelter for many other species including parrots, gliders, quolls, bats and possums.

The purchase is particularly significant for Brush-tailed Rock-wallabies, which have suffered decline due to habitat fragmentation.

Green Gully is now protected as part of Oxley Wild Rivers National Park near Walcha in the New England Tablelands, offering bushwalkers a wilderness experience with spectacular scenery and unique wildlife encounters.
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