From strength to strength

Hunter  Wetlands Centre Australia has a lot to be proud of.  The story of turning what was a dump site and football fields into a Ramsar wetlands—a wetlands of international significance—is an inspiring one.  While every day brings successes and triumphs at HWCA, there have been some really big achievements along the way:

• 2011 - New $2.5 million education facility opened by the Hon Minister for Education, Peter Garrett
• 2010 - 100 000th native plant planted
• 2010 - 25th Anniversary of the Hunter Wetlands Centre
• 2009 - Hosts of the Oceania Wetlands International Conference
• 2009 - Award of Distinction for Ecotourism Hunter Tourism Awards
• 2008 - Finalists Map Marketing Fastest Growing Business
• 2006 and 2008 – Winners NAB State Award (volunteering)
• 2007 - Winners Hunter Tourism Award for Ecotourism
• 2007 - Hosts of Wetlands Innovation Series forum 
• 2007 – 50,000 trees planted on site
• 2005 - Winners International Ramsar Conservation Award for Education
• 2004 - First strategic planning process involving stakeholders, producing our first 5 yr plan
• 2005 - Sale of land securing HWCA’s financial future
• 2002 – Protection under the Ramsar Convention on the protection and wise use of wetlands
• 1988 – Opening of the Visitor Centre
• 1985 – Creation of Newcastle Wetland Reserve
• 1985 – Purchase of ex-Hamilton Rugby Club House
• 1985 – Falk report recommends purchase of Marist Park land and associated buildings
• 1981 – Discovery of Egrets on site