Sponsorship challenges for the Tasmanian Tiger

What corporate sponsorship did we require?

Video Cameras – 2 of the hand held portable variety. I found that I was able to regularly obtain these from my Pembroke Secondary College Library for each of the expeditions undertaken. Not only did we require the 2 hand held cameras, but we would have been pretty naïve if we were to think that the Tasmanian Tiger would just ‘pop out’ of the bush right in front of us whilst we had our cameras with us. We required something a bit more sophisticated!
Security Cameras – We needed to obtain a number of these. Initially I tried to obtain 4 so that they could be set up along animal trails at night in the hope that the thylacine would wander along and be captured on video. Major suppliers of this equipment in the retail sector proved to be fruitless. But I ultimately had success when I came into contact with Mr Steve Hawley from Chubb Security Systems in Victoria. Steve could see merit in what I was trying to achieve and assisted me in my quest with initially 1 camera and VCR, which later increased to 2. I am greatly appreciative of his on going help in this regard.

Batteries to Operate the Security Cameras – Steve Hawley also put me in touch with Lindsay Hart from ‘Solar Energy – Australia.’ This company supplies and manufactures ‘Inverters’ which convert 12-volt battery power into electrical power. (It was pointless trying to run electrical cable power supplies into the bush over lengthy distances). The inverters would act as more than a useful substitute. Lindsay also in turn recommended that I try M & H Power Systems and in particular speak to Mr Lindsay Cordoner who might be able to sponsor the 12, 12 volt batteries and chargers to maintain the power supplies to the VCR Video units. Once again through my efforts I was able to obtain considerable sponsorship success.
A Vehicle – Surely we required a vehicle to help us take all of our gear down to Gippsland for our expedition. I tried all of the major Motor Car Traders all to no avail. Rental Car and Second Hand Car Dealers struck a similar chord. Finally I put it to The Principal, Mr Des Russell at Pembroke to borrow the school minibus and whilst he was somewhat negative in terms of the loan, my submission to School Council was unanimously approved. What luck! The bus served as our base, our shelter, our sleeping quarters and home on each of the expeditions undertaken.

A Generator – Whilst I wasn’t too keen on the idea of obtaining a generator to maintain the charge on the batteries. Lindsay Hart suggested that I try ‘Advanced Power’ in Sydney for this purpose. Graeme Toynton was more than obliging with his help and even though we were able to obtain sufficient power where we were researching and never required its services it was another welcomed addition.