Chief Executive Charles Woodward and his wife Pip put on a farewell and welcome party on Friday (Oct 15th) for three long serving employees who are moving off and a new general manager who will be moving in.

Their son Michael better known to his friends as 'Woody' is taking advantage of his long service leave after 10 years with the organisation for a 5 month trip around Africa and Europe before returning to the Cairns side of the operation, so it's a farewell to Port but he assures us he will be back.

Head Keeper, Terry Carmichael is leaving the CAPTA Group and moving up to the Tablelands to work with a wildlife organisation so he's not going far but with his new job we won't be seeing Terry in Port as much as before.

And finally on the farewells, Amanda Utt who was Manager of the Habitat prior to her pregnancy leave last year is now moving down to Melbourne where her partner is taking up a new job, so this really is a goodbye.   She is also having another baby, so we wish her all the success in the world in her new 'chillier' home. If she ever needs to warm up in the future she knows she will always be welcome here in Port.

The welcomes were as billed on the invitation.  But it was to have been a welcome for Peter Woodward as the new, albeit temporary, general manager of the Habitat but circumstances have changed and he has had to rearrange his committments at the last minute. 

So the planned welcome has had to be delayed until a suitable replacement as general manager is found.  This position has been advertised and we'll let readers know who we can welcome as soon as we hear.

In the, meantime we wish all those moving off, a safe journey and all the success in the world.  We look forward to seeing you back in Port soon.