Friends of Maatsuyker Island

Invitation to celebrate the Friends of Maatsuyker Island Wildcare Inc. (FOMI) 20 Years

FOMI is celebrating its 20^th birthday in 2023! Come and visit our exhibition, showcasing FOMI’s achievements to care and protect Maatsuyker Island’s natural and historic values, at the Maritime Museum of Tasmania (16 Argyle St, Hobart). The exhibition is open to the public during normal museum hours (9.00 am – 5.00 pm, seven days a week) until 30 June 2023.

FOMI friends and Wildcare members are also invited to join us at the official launch of the Maritime Museum exhibition at 5.30 – 6.30 pm, Wednesday 17 May 2023, followed by a meal at the Telegraph Hotel at 7.00pm.

RSVP by Wednesday 10 May 2023 if you would like to attend the launch and meal (please email: wildcaremaatsuyker@gmail.com)

We acknowledge the needwonnee as the original owners and continuing custodians of the south west area, including Maatsuyker Island, and pay our respect to elders past, present and future.

In 2003 a small group of Maatsuyker Island enthusiasts and previous caretakers formed the Wildcare group - Friends of Maatsuyker Island (fondly known as FOMI).

Much has been achieved by FOMI over the past 20 years in the care and protection of the natural and historic values of Maatsuyker Island. Many friendships have been formed with past lightkeepers and families, PWS volunteer caretakers, day trippers, working bee volunteers, and PWS staff.

FOMI is proud of its partnership and achievements alongside PWS including the restoration of the Maatsuyker Island Lighthouse and ongoing works on the three lightkeepers quarters. FOMI has also recorded and catalogued the historic objects on Maatsuyker Island.

FOMI’s weed control program is in its 19^th year with an ambitious and strategic focus on the eradication of four target weeds: blackberry, Hebe (Veronica elliptica), Montbretia and Californian Thistle. FOMI’s shearwater monitoring program is in its 11^th year, undertaking two surveys each year to determine the annual breeding population and breeding success.

FOMI ‘friends’ contribute 2000 hours of voluntary work annually (on & off island), which is well over an impressive $1.5 million in-kind toward the care of Maatsuyker Island since FOMI began.

FOMI has participated in numerous festivals and events to raise awareness of the values of Maatsuyker Island and to raise funds towards work on the island. FOMI has been fortunate to have superbly talented artists who have contributed their works to the FOMI art card series.

Remarkably, there has been more than $400,000 raised by FOMI in grants, sponsorship, and fundraising since inception.

FOMI is a proud Wildcare Inc. Tasmania group and we thank the Wildcare Inc. Board and office staff for all their help and support over these 20 years.

FOMI looks forward to continuing its work to care, protect and share Maatsuyker Island’s values, with the community, for at least another 20 years to come.