A future we can believe in 2022

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This is a Covid-Safe booking. In the event of cancellation due to government imposed travel/quarantine restrictions the event will be rescheduled or your ticket price refunded.

Join the founder of The Orangutan Project Leif Cocks (OAM) as he discusses the stark reality of life on our planet, and what we can all be doing right now, to secure the future for all living beings. Leif will be joined by special guests (see below) to raise vital funds for urgent conservation and a way forward.

Set in the beautiful Victoria Dining Room of the Royal Automobile Club of Australia, and hosted by the wonderful David Smiedt, the evening will give you a unique insight into the work being undertaken to safeguard some of our planet's last rainforest ecosystems and how this one direct action is a vital step towards safeguarding Critically Endangered orangutans - and creating a more stable world for us all.

Your ticket price includes a three-course five star vegan menu, quality Australian wine and boutique beer throughout the evening and superb live music by Australian singer and songwriter Alana Patmore.

About your host

Leif Cocks is a primatologist with 30+ years experience working with orangutans and has a Masters of science studying orangutans. He led the project to re-introduce the first zoo-born orangutan into the wild, and in 1998 founded The Orangutan Project to secure the survival of Critically Endangered orangutans in their natural habitat.

The Orangutan Project has since contributed millions of dollars into orangutan conservation and has established a distinctive, holistic approach encompassing legally protecting rainforests; securing, restoring and patrolling rainforests; rescuing, rehabilitating and releasing ex-captive orangutans; and educating and empowering local communities and indigenous people.

Leif is the author of several books and academic papers on the subject of orangutan conservation, and his most recent Finding Our Humanity, also explores the fundamental links between our tribal past and our likely future on the planet.

This year Cocks was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia, one of the country's highest honours, for his work protecting Critically Endangered orangutans.

Meet our very special guests

The Hon. Emma Hurst

Emma Hurst is the first female Animal Justice Party MP, elected to the Upper House of NSW Parliament. A former psychologist, Emma has worked tirelessly for the rights of animals for many years with a background in campaigning, political lobbying, and media work.

Lynda Stoner

Lynda worked as an actor throughout most of her life including theatre, musicals, TV shows including Young Doctors, Cop Shop, Cleudo, The Flying Doctors, Shark's Paradise and Prisoner and movies including Echoes of Paradise and Crawl. She has been an animal rights activist for 47 years since reading Professor Peter Singer's 'Animal Liberation.'

David Smiedt (MC)

Is described by Adam Hills, as 'a living breathing joke machine'. David Smiedt has been delighting audiences around the country and overseas with his brand of warm inclusive, uplifting, intelligent comedy. David is one of Australia's finest comedians, emcees and corporate performers.