Little Swiss Penguin Girls Win Hearts of Sydney’s littlest locals

Media release: 27 May 2015

Two Swiss girls aged 9 and 11 have won the hearts of the locals and the gratitude of all Sydney-siders – including some of the city’s smallest, the Little Penguins.

NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) Area Manager Michael Treanor praised the two girls, Anne-Sophie and Marie-Christine, for their efforts in raising almost $2000 towards Little Penguin protection during their time living in Manly.

“It has been inspirational to work with these two young girls who not only identified an environmental problem but came up with a unique way to tackle it,” Mr Treanor said.

“The sisters were inspired by seeing too much rubbish left behind near the Little Penguins habitat and knew it could pose a real threat to the Little Penguins and other marine life.

“As a result they decided to raise money for Little Penguin protection by having special wristbands made which they have sold not only here, but while on holiday in Switzerland.

The girls approached NPWS to see how they could best donate their funds, which are now going towards a project to build penguin shaped recycling bins to reduce local litter and educate visitors.

NPWS put the girls in touch with the Foundation for National Parks and Wildlife who started an Everyday Hero page for them where funds could be directed.

Before returning home the girls were presented with two large soft penguin toys from the Foundation and treated to a special close encounter at Taronga Zoo to watch the penguins being fed.

“Visiting Taronga was a great experience for the girls.  They got to be up close and person with the Little Penguins and talk to handlers who are often responsible for nursing many Little Penguins back to health after being entangled in marine debris and discarded fishing tackle,” Mr Treanor said.

Local Manly newsagency Humphreys has now agreed to sell the wrist bands so that the project will continue to raise funds for the bin project once the girls return home to Switzerland.

Their project can be seen in more detail at little Swiss Penguin Girls:  http://www.everydayhero.com.au/event/LittleSwissPenguinGirls

Contact: Gabrielle Last