Dreamworld launches new Bilby education program

Dreamworld teams up with the Bilby Brothers and the Minister of Sustainability, Climate Change and Innovation to launch a new education program designed to save an Aussie animal in trouble

June 11, 2008 … One of the biggest tourism players in Australia has sharpened its pencil on the issue of conservation and today launched a hands-on education program aimed at raising awareness about one of Australia’s most endangered animals, the bilby.

With a reported 600 of the tiny creatures remaining in the wild in Queensland, Dreamworld has teamed up with the Bilby Brothers, Frank Manthey and Peter McRae, to create a one hour on-site education program designed to encourage students from grades four to seven to help save the embattled marsupial. Dreamworld hopes to attract at least 1000 students to the program in the first year of operation.

Launching the program before 26 students from St Francis Xavier Runaway Bay School, Minister for Sustainability, Climate Change and Innovation, Andrew McNamara, said, “This is a case of conservation, education and tourism coming together to put one of our most endangered creatures at the forefront of young minds.”

“Dreamworld is one of the few wildlife parks in the state with bilbies on display and the only non-government institution with approval to breed the marsupials for release back into the wild. It’s heartening to see them working towards the conservation of this endangered animal.”

Kevin Bradley, COO of Dreamworld and WhiteWater World, added that, “Most people have visions of thrills and spills when they come to Dreamworld and White Water World. But behind the colourful rides there are two giant parks with big hearts actively committed to ‘conservation through education’.

“With more than 1.5 million visitors passing through the Dreamworld gates annually, including 60,000 school students on excursion, our aim is to take the conservation issue off the whiteboard and into an environment where both guests and children are relaxed and receptive to learning,” he added.
The bilby education program takes students on a journey through the changing world of the bilby beginning with an overview of the current situation and ending with simple tactics for action.
Students visit three stations: Dreamworld’s specially-built bilby enclosure and breeding centre; a food web activity that highlights the dramatic and devastating effect introduced species such as foxes and cats have on the bilbies’ natural environment; and a billboard of the two metre high 25 km2 fence that has been built at Currawinya National Park. The fence provides a safe haven for captive-bred bilbies – including those from Dreamworld - to be released into the wild.
Students end their journey with the opportunity to see and touch a real Bilby.
Ms Dominique Burgess, Dreamworld’s Education Manager who trialled the program on June 10 before a class of 25 students from Kingston State School said the bilby education program is curriculum relevant and links to both the Study of Society and Environment and Science syllabi.

“This program uses a real conservation issue to push the awareness of a relatively gloomy environmental situation. Not many kids can get out to Currawinya National Park to see conservation in action, so this course is designed to bring it to them.”

Her comments were echoed by Kingston State School teacher, Matthew Knight who said his combined year 4 and 5 class enjoyed the experiential side of the program.

“It ties in really well with our units at school and reinforces the lifestyle and habitat studies in grade four and threats and adaptation in grade five,” he said.

“We have the future leaders of the country here. They are the ones to make a decision on conservation and unless they have awareness of the situation, there is no way they can make improvements for the future.

“Until today there was not a lot of understanding of the bilby. Most kids know about the (iconic) animals like the koala so it was good to have an animal that is less known. They enjoyed the hands-on aspect of the program.”

Following the program, students are offered the chance to tour through other endangered species located at Dreamworld including the Tasmanian Devil, the Cassowary and the exotic Sumatran Tiger.

Mr Knight said the students were also looking forward to an afternoon on the rides.

“We’ve broken the day up. We’ve done the education program and now we’ll explore one of the animals which the class studied. Then we’ll hit the rides this afternoon. You can’t walk through Dreamworld and say ‘no’ to the rides.”

Dreamworld’s Bilby Education Program costs $21.00 per student and includes the one hour journey through the world of the bilby and access to all shows, rides and attractions available at Dreamworld. Bookings are essential and can be made by calling 07 5588 1184 or emailing: education@dreamworld.com.au.

Dreamworld’s Sumatran tiger Mum Soraya gives birth to a litter of three on her sixth birthday

On the morning of her sixth birthday Dreamworld’s Sumatran tiger Soraya, mother of tiger twins Indah and Rahni, has received the best birthday present any mother could hope for having given birth to a litter of three healthy tiger cubs.

The birthday bundle consists of two girl cubs and a boy, the first weighing in at a healthy 1.3kg, the second 1.28kg and the third 1.13kg.

Tiger Island Manager Patrick Martin-Vegue was present for the birth and says Soraya is doing a great job nursing the cubs so far.

“The first two came early this morning but the third took its time and was born just before 11am. Both Soraya and her litter are doing great so far.”

Life Sciences General Manager All Mucci is equally proud of Soraya’s new litter.

“We are so lucky that Soraya is such a great Mum, she’s given us two beautiful tigers in Indah and Rahni and now, second time around, she’s blessed us with three more.”

Heralding the hopes of the new litter was tiny six week old Sumatran tiger cub Sali (pronounced “sarli”) who arrived at Dreamworld approximately three weeks ago on Saturday, May 17.

The now eight week old Sali will hopefully be integrated with Soraya’s new litter in coming weeks as the new cubs grow old enough to meet and play with their adopted sister.

Dreamworld adopts a singleton Sumatran cub in anticipation of a new litter

May 29, 2008 … There may only be 400 of them left in the wild, but in the space of one month, Dreamworld hopes to double its population of Sumatran tigers thanks to the news that Soraya, the mother of one year old tiger twins, Indah and Rahni, appears to be pregnant.

Heralding the hopes of a new litter is a tiny six week old Sumatran tiger cub named Sali that was delivered to Dreamworld on Saturday, May 17.

Born on April 11 to a litter of four at the Perth Zoo, Sali, which means “steadfast” in Indonesian language, had an ill-fated start to life. Rejected by her mother after the death of her three siblings, she faced a future without social interaction. Sali was flown to Dreamworld’s Tiger Island to be hand reared by a team of trainers with a combined 60 years experience.

Dreamworld’s Tiger Island Manager, Patrick Martin-Vegue said, “It’s not unusual for tigers to mis-mother their offspring and while survival was not an issue for tiny Sali, the Australian Species Coordinator for Sumatran Tigers, Chris Hibbard, considered it best to relocate her to a more social environment with the goal of integrating with other cats.

“In the long term, this will improve Sali’s chances of breeding and hopefully bolster the insurance population for the critically endangered Sumatran tiger species.”

Dreamworld already has ten big cats, including Indah and Rahni, the two Sumatran cubs born on Tiger Island March, 2007 and now weighing around 75 kg. All except two of the tigers have been hand raised.

Martin-Vegue plans to integrate Sali with both the giant Bengals and the one year old Sumatrans sometime next week.

“If things go according to plan and Soraya has a successful pregnancy, Sali will also be assimilated with the new litter of cubs which we anticipate will be born in early June.”

He is unconcerned about 200 kilogram Bengal tigers meeting a 4.5kg cub.

“The different personalities on the island will actually improve Sali’s behavioural skills,” he said.
“This is the fourth time that Mohan has met a tiger cub and he’s likely to be the least phased among all the Bengals. But knowing their characters, I’m betting Taj will be the one to teach Sali proper tiger etiquette.”

Sali is now on full public view in the Tiger Island nursery. She is bottled fed four times a day and content to play with her favourite Teddy and SpongeBob SquarePants toy. To see Sali and her step sisters, Indah and Rahni, visit Dreamworld on Australia’s Gold Coast.

Warner Bros. Movie World - Police Academy Stunt Show - A New Era Begins!

For more than 18,000 incredible action-packed, fun filled, breathtaking performances over 16 years, the final curtain is set to fall on the ‘Police Academy Stunt Show’. Guests visiting Warner Bros. Movie World prior to the end of April will have their final opportunity to see one of the longest running stunt shows in the world.

The ‘Police Academy Stunt Show’ successfully premiered as the flagship live production for Warner Bros. Movie World in 1991. Drawing on the then immensely popular franchise of ‘Police Academy’ films, the show combined wonderful characters with slap-stick comedy, drama and above all else - nail biting stunts.

As an important chapter in the history of Warner Bros. Movie World is set to close when the ‘Police Academy Stunt Show’ wraps, it will effectively make way for an exciting new state–of–the-art production unlike anything else ever seen in Australia.

Opening October 2008 is ‘HOLLYWOOD STUNTDRIVER’, an action packed celebration of stunt men and women who risk it all for the cameras and the magic of making movies!

The thrill a minute production will boast some of the most precise and daring high speed drive sequences ever brought to a live arena. If you have ever marvelled at Hollywood’s most famous car chases and wondered just how they did it, then hold on tight for an exhilarating ride that puts you in the driver’s seat and behind the scenes!

‘HOLLYWOOD STUNTDRIVER’ – coming October 2008.
Buckle up and take a high speed ride into a world of action packed fantasy, fun and excitement!

Get set for the brand new Mega Pass!

Warner Village Theme Parks has unveiled the theme park pass to beat them all – the all new 3 park MEGA PASS!
Guests can now experience the magic and excitement of the Gold Coast's favourite theme parks Warner Bros. Movie World, Sea World and Wet'n'Wild Water World 364 days a year for as little as $5.95 a week.

For the first time ever guests can choose from three sensational multi-park annual pass tickets to experience the Gold Coast's best theme park entertainment, with options to suit every family, and every budget!

For the ultimate theme park annual pass, the 3 PARK MEGA PASS offers unlimited entry to Warner Bros. Movie World, Sea World and Wet'n'Wild Water World! Guests can visit any park, any day as many times as they like, 364 days a year.

While the 2 PARK MEGA PASS offers 12 months of fun to either Warner Bros. Movie World and Wet'n'Wild Water World or Sea World and Wet'n'Wild Water World.

The new annual pass options not only offer the best value for money, but they can also be purchased on a payment plan for as little as $5.95 per week per pass, making them even more affordable.

This unique selection of annual park tickets has been designed specifically to suit the needs of guests, whilst offering the region's best selection of theme park experiences at the very best value available.

Paul Gloster, Marketing Director, Warner Village Theme Parks said "Warner Village Theme Parks offers the most diverse range of theme park entertainment on the Gold Coast, and with the launch of the new 3 multi park annual pass combinations, guests now have the flexibility to choose a pass to suit their needs.

"Each pass also represents the best value for guests, not only in price, but in the opportunity to access the newest attractions on the Gold Coast, including the fantastic Surfrider now open at Wet'n'Wild Water World, Kids' WB Fun Zone! at Warner Bros. Movie World and Sesame Street Beach at Sea World" he said.

The new annual pass options will launch in early November and are a fantastic Christmas gift option for the kids or even grandkids.

Tickets can be purchased at front gate, via our website www.myfun.com.au or by calling 133FUN.

Warner Village Theme Parks Win Annual Spirit of Excellence Awards at IAAPA Attractions Expo

The International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA) announced the 2007 Spirit of Excellence Award Winners during the Spirit of Excellence Awards Luncheon at IAAPA Attractions Expo 2007 in Florida at the Orlando County Convention Centre.

The Spirit of Excellence awards recognises the leaders in Human Resources initiatives in the attractions industry which include training, recognition, and safety procedures.

Warner Village Theme Parks in Queensland, Australia won the Best Supervisory Training Program. With its new structured training program, the park fosters a unified culture and equips leaders with confidence and skills, while identifying a clear measure of success.

Warner Village Theme Parks also won the award for Best Orientation Training Program. Its orientation process helps to inform leaders of the necessity in teaching and informing staff of appropriate and compulsory procedures with meticulous attention to detail, while acclimatizing staff to the corporate culture and welcoming them to Warner Village Theme Parks group, incorporating discussion and encouraging feedback throughout the process.

Halloween Family Fun at Warner Bros. Movie World

From Tuesday 30th October thru to Thursday 1st November, Warner Bros. Movie World will host three fantastic Halloween Family Fun night-time events from 5.45pm to 9.00pm each night; join Scooby-Doo and the Mystery Inc gang as they enjoy all the mystery and intrigue associated with a night of ghoulish fun and scary antics.

There’ll be a host of spooky special guests including all your favourite Movie World characters and loads of entertainment taking place in the ghostly atmosfear of Main St, with a selection of spine tingling thrills and chills on the Big Screen and spooky happenings throughout the park – heaps of ghostly games will be played and great prizes will be won.

Prizes for the best fancy dress costume and free Trick or Treat for the kids; presented by Cadbury. All this, plus the fun of Scooby-Doo Spooky Coaster, Shrek 4-D Adventure, Superman Escape, Batwing Spaceshot and heaps of eerie entertainment to keep you on your toes!

Only $70 for a family of four (any combination of child/adult/pensioner), or $20 per single ticket entry if pre-booked - $25 for a single ticket if purchased at the gate on the night (this is subject to tickets being available on the night - as Halloween was Sold Out last year).

So get into some Spooky Fun at Warner Bros. Movie World on Tuesday October 30th and Wednesday 31st and Thursday 1st November from 5.45pm – 9.00pm!

Dreamworld’s Bilbies Dig Their Brand New Enclosure

The Honourable Rod Welford, Minister for Education and Training and Minister for the Arts joined dignitaries and VIPs at Dreamworld today for the official opening of the park’s new Bilby Display Area.

The opening marks the very first time that guests can actually get up close and personal to these critically endangered Aussie icons previously housed off exhibit, behind Dreamworld’s Australian Wildlife Experience.

The specially designed, semi-nocturnal exhibit aims to increase awareness of the grim plight faced by bilbies in the wild and aims to educate guests about how they can contribute to their conservation.

Simulating their natural environment, the enclosure sports ready-made burrows, plant life and lots of red dirt for digging, all offset by a magnificent mural of the Australian outback at dusk.

Dreamworld is home to nine bilbies, which it displays on behalf of the Save the Bilby Fund. The park is a Gold Sponsor of the Fund, which works tirelessly to bring the bilby back from the brink of extinction.

Dreamworld is currently working with the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service with hopes of becoming a bilby breeding centre as part of a cooperative captive population of Queensland Bilbies.

Dreamworld contributes through direct donations, the sale of ‘Save the Bilby’ merchandise and donation boxes set up in-park for guests to pledge their support for the fund.

Last year alone, Dreamworld donated considerable cash and in-kind support to the Save the Bilby Fund and its co-founder, Frank Manthey, who has been based at Dreamworld since March 2003.

“The new Dreamworld Bilby Display is like a dream come true for me. Through this display, people will appreciate how special the bilby is and how we will lose this species unless we all help,” Mr Manthey said.

Dreamworld donations assist important conservation initiatives of the Save the Bilby Fund including the construction of a feral-proof, bilby fence in Currawinya National Park in South- West Queensland, the area used to release bilbies back into the wild as part of the Recovery Plan for the species.

Dreamworld also takes the bilby conservation message on the road through a mobile education unit, Wildlife for Kids, reaching over 10,000 students every year.

Dreamworld General Manager of Life Sciences, Al Mucci, said the new Bilby Exhibit would be an entertaining and educational experience for both parents and children.

“Because bilbies are nocturnal, it is a rare thing to be able to catch a glimpse of them in an environment that resembles their natural habitat,” Mr Mucci said.

“The new Bilby Exhibit encourages guests to develop an empathy and understanding of this threatened species and their struggle to survive in the wild,” he said.

Bilby numbers are rapidly declining as they compete with rabbits and livestock for food and contend with predators like feral cats, foxes and dingoes.

There are an estimated 600 bilbies left in the whole of Queensland.

Dreamworld’s Australian Wildlife Experience home to more than 800 native animals and birds, and is one of the largest native wildlife parks in South East Queensland.

Dreamworld is open from 10am to 5pm every day except Christmas Day and ANZAC day morning (25/4). Australian Wildlife Experience is included in Dreamworld’s general admission price. For more information or to buy tickets online visit www.dreamworld.com.au.

FAST FACTS

• Of the six bandicoot species that once lived in the arid/semi-arid areas of Australia, bilbies are the only species remaining.
• Bilbies do not need to drink water, they get all of the moisture they need from their food.
• The bilby’s pouch faces backwards to prevent it from filling up with dirt when they burrow.
• Bilbies shelter during the day in burrows underground that may extend to 2m in depth.
• Bilbies have a strong sense of smell and excellent hearing which is no surprise due to their long muzzle-like nose and big ears.
• The Greater Bilby is endangered but the Lesser Bilby has been extinct for more than 50 years.

Mick Doohan’s Motocoaster Revealed

Dreamworld is “Doohan” it like it’s never been done before and is getting set to take motobike racing to the skies.

In September 2007, Dreamworld will launch the hottest thrill ride to hit the coast this decade pushing adrenaline junkies to a brand new level.

The park has teamed up with one of the greatest names in motorbike racing history to bring the thrill and exhilaration of moto racing magic to the masses.

Five time, 500cc World Champion and World Record Holder, Mick Doohan will launch his very own thrill ride at Dreamworld this year allowing guests to get behind the handlebars on a circuit that has to be seen to be believed.

“I’m extremely proud to be associated with a great Australian icon working on a venture that celebrates and pays respect to a great Australian sport and its achievements,” Mick Doohan said.

Mick Doohan’s Motocoaster features a fast, fluid track with breath taking changes in elevation, high speed corners and plenty of quick left handers.

It’s a motorbike rollercoaster, the first of its kind in Australia and the only motocoaster in the world featuring life-size replicas of 500cc racing bikes.

The news has created a real buzz in the motoracing industry with Honda already signing up as the first official sponsor.

The bikes launch from the starting line and will reach speeds of just over 72 km per hour.

The tight, 605 metre track is made up of 18 banks, bends and turns placing emphasis on last- gasp braking and plenty of open throttle.

The track is built low to the ground to provide a great sensation of speed and movement and riders are held in by a unique restraint system that creates an incredible feeling of freedom and exhilaration.

Each train is made up of 14 custom-made motorbikes and 2 aero-dynamically profiled, purpose built sidecars designed specifically for the pint-sized, thrill ride enthusiast or those looking for a more relaxed ride.

Dreamworld and WhiteWater World Chief Executive Officer, Stephen Gregg said the new ride was designed to be a shared experience the whole family could enjoy.

“We want to showcase Australian motorbike racing history and celebrate its victories, milestones and most importantly, its legends through theming, memorabilia and our Hall of Fame.”

“This new attraction shows Dreamworld’s commitment to introducing cutting-edge ride technology and new experiences to the Australian market and will complement the park’s existing suite of scream machines including the Giant Drop, Tower of Terror, Cyclone Rollercoaster, Wipeout and The Claw,” he said.

“Mick Doohan’s Motocoaster will be a great escape to adrenaline, fun, excitement and anticipation and will give riders a sense of accomplishment and freedom like never before.”

“It underpins Dreamworld’s positioning as the ‘Australian theme park’ celebrating our unique Australian culture and its heroes,” Mr Gregg said.

Mick Doohan’s Motocoaster will be located in River Town on the old Vintage Cars site, the Dreamworld classic relocated to make way for Dreamworld’s new multi million dollar, moto-monster.

Get ready for hard acceleration as Dreamworld blasts further up the thrill ride ladder with Mick Doohan’s massive Motocoaster this September.

Macquarie Leisure announces $51 million uplift in Dreamworld valuation

Macquarie Leisure Trust Group (ASX:MLE) today announced an independent revaluation of the Dreamworld theme park had delivered a $51 million uplift to $226 million as at 30 June 2006 compared to $175 million as at 31 December 2005.

The Group’s chief executive officer, Greg Shaw, advised the 29 per cent gain primarily reflected a material change in valuation assumptions. The discounted cash flow has incorporated a lower discount rate of 14 per cent, which is in line with recent market sales activity for major Australian tourism and leisure assets. Mr Shaw said the uplift also reflected the Group’s ability to improve operational performance of the asset.

“The valuation reflects the consistent revenue and profit growth of Dreamworld to date, the park’s prominent location and the favourable zoning that underwrites future prospects for ongoing development and profit growth,” he said.

Mr Shaw highlighted the favourable market environment for the Dreamworld business was also taken into account in assessing the asset’s value. “Dreamworld derives approximately 80 per cent of its customers from the domestic market, which has been supported by steady population growth in South East Queensland, major tourism accommodation developments on the Gold Coast and the ongoing availability of discounted airfares to the region,” he said.

Moreover, Dreamworld’s ability to capture this demand by establishing affiliations with other leading brands has created a range of unique attractions that appeal to all ages Macquarie Leisure Trust Group 2 and demographic markets. Standout attractions such as Wiggles World and Nick Central combined with Australia’s largest collection of major thrill rides helped to secure the impressive increase.

The valuation was completed by Jones Lang LaSalle Hotels and will be incorporated into the 30 June 2006 accounts. The valuation excludes the excess development land to the north of the Dreamworld site that forms part of the future Coomera Town Centre and excludes any construction costs associated with the recently approved water park that is being developed adjacent to Dreamworld.

Mr Shaw also advised construction of the water park was progressing well with major ride structures being erected over the coming month. “The water park will provide a new level of customer experience with an inventory of new rides and attractions never before seen in the Australian market,” he said.

The water park will be operated as a separately gated attraction, allowing the Group to promote both parks through two and three day passes designed to suit local, interstate and international markets. The water park is on track to open for business before Christmas 2006 and in time for the peak January trading period.