In front of a specially invited audience on Sunday morning 23 May, the Rainforest Habitat owners Charles & Pip Woodward and their family celebrated the 21st Anniversary of the opening of this icon of Port Douglas.

The full history of the Rainforest history is now on their website, and the newly presented photo collection is to be housed at the Habitat for visitors to enjoy the full story.

The original venue creators, John Morris and Michael Turner were in attendance at Sunday's celebrations and each gave an interesting talk on their early hopes and ambitions for the then Bird and Butterfly Habitat and of course their fight for survival having opened the doors just as the 1980s pilot strike took effect.

Michael 'Woody' Woodward, the current General Manager MC'd the proceedings with current owners from CAPTA, Charles and Pip Woodward making a special presentation to both John Morris and Michael Turner in celebration of the continuing success of their dream.

Charles Woodward then made the surprise announcement that the Habitat was to have a new name with immediate effect.   From now on it will be called 'The Wildlife Habitat' and has been given a new logo to showcase the new name.

Charles also announced that their were to be several new developments with new wildlife habitats built to increase the attraction especially with regard to the very successful breeding programmes and animal care training.  There's even going to be a new shade sail cloth over the breakfast with the birds area!

The celebrations came to a close with the announcement of the winning name from the recent 'Name the Lumholtz Tree Kangaroo' Competition.  The latest edition to the habitat animal sanctuary is going to be called Bernu, which apparently means 'Tree' in aboriginal.

Editors Comments: Congratulations go to the Wildlife Habitat team, it seems the future of the Habitat is in good hands!