2007 Staff Awards

Steve Irwin Award 2007
Jan Neilson
The Steve Irwin Award was created in honour of our boss and the world's original Wildlife Warrior. The award is for a dedication, loyalty and service to Australia Zoo. The 2007 Steve Irwin Award went to Jan Neilson. Jan has been at the Zoo since 1993 and is truly a loyal, reliable team member. She is currently known as 'Fan Mail Jan' and personally looks after the entire fan mail for the Irwin's. Jan is a 'Jill of all trades' and has done everything at the Zoo including administration, marketing, tours for VIPs, admissions, animal keeping, landscaping and lots more. She has even fed the crocs! If you need to know any Zoo history or what's happening around the place; just ask Jan!

The Director's Award 2007
Bruce Murdock
The Director's Award is presented each year to someone who has caught the eye of our Zoo Director, Wes Mannion. The winner of the 2007 Directors award has displayed great strength, courage, agility and wisdom during his time at the Zoo. The prestigious award went to Bruce Murdock. Bruce came to us in 2003 to set up our 'Big Cat' team. He was responsible for designing the enclosures, cub house and main display areas. He also developed the 'Big Cat' daily walks and photo sessions. He has done a truly fantastic job and as the Curator of Carnivores & Primates his team is growing almost day by day. We couldn't have done it without you Bruce!

Staff Person of the Year 2007
Anthony De Zoete Baker
Anthony started with us in 2001 and was part of the 'meet and greet' concierge team. At that stage he had a dream of being in child care but after the taste of the Zoo and tourism, he soon became entrenched. With Leadership training, he took a position as Admissions Supervisor. He was soon asked to take on the role as Supervisor of the new Crocoseum Retail Outlet when it was built in 2004. Continuing in this pathway, Anthony is now our Retail Projects Manager and has retail sales in his blood!

Movers & Shakers 2007 - 'Moving departments or work forward'
This award is given to members of the Zoo Crew who have performed particularly well throughout the year, bringing their departments or work forward in various ways. The staff members nominated in this category are highly motivated and dedicated individuals, bringing skills and enthusiasm to their respective jobs and departments that sets them apart.

This year, the nominees for the Movers and Shakers Award included

Aaron Prior - Grounds
Bruce Levick - Web
Alan Short - Whale One
Amanda Brown - Assistant Curator
Jodie Hughes - Bird Show
Jodie-lee Ewing - Primates
Natasha Banville - Koalas
Nick Bell - Education
Karen Campbell - Tours
Dave Ryan - Reptiles
Henry Neill - Shuttles
John Walker - Shuttles
Giles Clark - Big Cats

2007 Winners - Bruce Levick & Giles Clark

Quiet Achievers 2007 - Busy getting on with their work
The Quiet Achiever Award is presented to a group of individuals at the Zoo who have excelled in their roles and achieved great things in their fields or departments, but who might go unnoticed throughout the year due to their manner of getting things done quickly, quietly and without a fuss.

Ben Johns - IT
Mark Niven - Building Services
Deb Gardner - Building Stores
Michael Walsh - Security
Jeff Gill - Buses
Stephanie Lynch - Reception
Justin Gibson - Elephants
Shane Dunn - Big Cats
Tosh Tucker - WWW
Annette Doyle - VIP Photographer
Anne Johnson - Office
Amanda Burston - Koalas
Sarah Bradbury - Photography

2007 Winner - Mark Niven