SECTION 1 Title 1 Title 2 Title 3

AUSTRALIAN CAVY SANCTUARY
9TH NOVEMBER 2008
'PIGNIC IN THE PARK' REVIEW

On November 9th 2008 the Australian Cavy Sanctuary hosted our second ever annual major awareness/fundraising event and family day out the 'PIGNIC IN THE PARK'. The team were up well before sunrise at 4am for setup. The weather was a sky of uncertainty with rain predicted although somehow the rain managed to stay away remained cool and clouded for our very special event. Overall the Pignic was a fantastic success with approximately 1000 people in attendance this year and overall the day raised $3300 of much needed funds. Thank you to all the stallholders who attended and supported this event, all the volunteers who worked endless hours to help make this special day possible and to all who sponsored and donated products for raffles including a special mention to the Pet Cafe, Brighton Vet, Oxbow, Chermside Building Supplies and Australia Zoo for their incredible generosity and support. Stallholders in attendance included the RSPCA, Animal Liberation, Animals Australia, The Dapper Rat, Diana's Face Painting, Camp hill and Samford Vets, The Vegetarian Society, Jay Jay's Jumping Castles, small animal educational stall, Oxbow, folk/Australian band ' BLACK HEATHER ', Cafe2U, Janelle Manning's Photography and the local Girl Guides Team. A surprise visit from Quest Newspapers was very much appreciated by the organisation. ACS Guinea Pig Mascot 'William' enjoyed the day dancing around the parklands giving out free hugs to the kids! The smiles were endless as children and families proudly pignicced and shared their guinea pigs with others.

This year we introduced further fun and games for families. The morning SAC RACES brought about laughter and crowds later gathered for the GUINEA PIG FOOD EATING CONTEST which was a highlight of the day. Many families went the extra mile and decorated their guinea pig cages in a Christmas theme and the glittering tinsel really brought festive cheer to the event.

Due to the growing success of ACS ' PIGNIC IN THE PARK' and the positive reports from the public and stallholders requesting the event be held again ACS will definitely be hosting a third annual Pignic in the Park in 2009. We look forward to an even bigger and more exiting Pignic next year!

We would like to make a special mention to the Pine Rivers Press, North-West News, Quest Newspapers, The Courier Mail, ABC Radio, Local Radio 99.7, Logan Radio, QUT Radio, Adore Animals, Paws and Claws and all other online classified sites and media who contacted ACS to help advertise and promote the event. We know the support of the media helped bring larger crowds to the event this year. Thank you! Your support has truly helped our completely non profit and non funded organisation bring about further animal awareness, education and raise much needed funds for our shelters.

We received many comments after the event from members of the public which included:

'I want to thank you so so much i had a lovely time yesterday. i learn so much about my guinea pig and sally had a ball lots of cuddles and kiss she got and sally didn't want to go home. hope it will be on next year.'

'Yesterday was a big hit, thanks for the opportunity. So many people with piggies walking around and it was great meeting people. It was well organised'.

'Was a fantastic day - I had a great time and it was lovely to see so many wonderful people'.

'WELL DONE to jess and all the gang from ACS for getting this day up and running. It would have taking months of behind the scenes organising to make this day a success'.

PHOTOS FROM THE DAY! (Note - All images are copyright and may not be reproduced in any form without written permission from the photographer. Please contact ACS if you wish to use any of the images below or wish to purchase or borrow an original copy. Photos courtesy of Janelle Manning Pet Photography, Precious Pets Photography, Maree Saunders and ACS Volunteers).