Tesch pays tribute to pelican rescuer

Member for Gosford Ms Liesl Tesch has paid tribute in the NSW Parliament to Ms Wendy Gillespie from Pelican Research and Rescue.

"We are so lucky that Wendy Gillespie chose the Peninsula community," Ms Tesch said.

"Wendy arrived from Queensland with a wealth of knowledge about our beautiful pelicans," she said.

"Gosford hosts one of Australia's few pelican breeding colonies located in close proximity to urban development, which brings risk of harm and damage by ignorant humans.

"Wendy is very well known and respected, and works tirelessly in our community to care for our pelicans.

"Every season she studies the fledgling chicks and is our community go-to person when a sick pelican is spotted.

"Wendy is the rescuer, rehabilitator and researcher who is contacted by the community.

"She cares for birds impacted by urban run-off and fishing injuries.

"Wendy also provides our own tourism contact point, educating and entertaining visitors and locals alike nearly every afternoon at the famous Woy Woy Fisherman's Wharf as pelicans recycle the fish co-op waste."

SOURCE:

Hansard, 8 Feb 2018

Liesl Tesch, Member for Gosford