There’s something special about Churchill Fellows coming together – sharing stories, exchanging knowledge and strengthening the connections that make our Fellowship community so unique. Recently, 16 Fellows, and their friends and family, did just that at Perth Zoo, joining Churchill Fellow Holly Thompson for a guided tour and a special insight into her work.
Holly, recently returned from her Fellowship investigating emergency response and disaster preparedness across zoos and conservation agencies. Over three months, she visited more than 30 institutions across Madagascar, Europe, North America, Canada and New Zealand, gathering insights into how the sector can prepare for and respond to climate-related emergencies.
Her Fellowship report, published earlier this year, provides evidence-based recommendations for the Australasian and New Zealand zoo and wildlife sector, with a focus on preparedness frameworks, mutual aid networks, staff wellbeing and climate-driven conservation campaigns.
During the excursion, Holly shared her expertise with the group and introduced them to the Gibbon Crossing habitat at Perth Zoo, which she oversaw the completion of. The habitat is home to critically endangered Northern White-cheeked Gibbons, and provided a fascinating insight into Holly’s work in primate conservation and animal welfare.
It was a wonderful reminder of the strength of the Fellowship community – a network built on sharing knowledge, supporting one another and celebrating the work of Fellow allumni. While a Churchill Fellowship may begin with a journey overseas, the connections it creates continue long after Fellows return home.