Photo: Noral Wild and Cameron Kerr
Taronga is delighted to welcome Cushman & Wakefield to the ongoing committed partner list, emphasising a considered experience for guests of all abilities visiting Taronga Zoo Sydney and Taronga Western Plains Zoo Dubbo.
After a successful two-year event partnership with Taronga’s Wild Lights experience, which welcomed more than 6,000 visitors from a range of community groups, special needs schools, disability associations, inclusive sporting clubs, parent groups and other community organisations, Cushman & Wakefield have committed to supporting Taronga’s Access and Inclusion offering all-year-round.
Cameron Kerr AO, CEO of Taronga Conservation Society Australia said
"Taronga’s mission is to create a shared future for Wildlife and People. Our ability to engage with and educate all guests is fundamental to what we do."
"We know our guests that visit us here at Taronga Zoo Sydney and Taronga Western Plains Zoo, Dubbo, have a broad range of accessibility requirements and considerations. Taronga is committed to creating access for every individual who wants to visit and learn more about our animals and conservation commitments whether it be charismatic megafauna, down to our ecologically important amphibians and reptiles."
"We want guests of all abilities to connect and care for wildlife, and that requires ongoing education and development to our experience. Partners like Cushman & Wakefield assist us in this journey and allows us to learn, grow and ensure everyone can have a meaningful visit to our zoos," Kerr emphasised.
As part of the partnership, Cushman & Wakefield and Taronga will engage experts to review visitor experiences from guests of all communities and develop new ways of engaging groups including videos, signage, visual stories, accessibility guides and more.
Community groups that have previously visited Cushman & Wakefield’s accessibility offerings in Tumblong Park at Vivid Sydney in 2019, or the Nights of Inclusion at Wild Lights at Taronga, can be excited that new community days are on the horizon at Taronga's two zoos, along with event competitions, tailored experiences, all through this exciting new partnership.
Noral Wild, CEO of Cushman & Wakefield ANZ said
"We're thrilled to extend our partnership with Taronga, embarking on a journey where better never settles. Transitioning from the success of Wild Lights, we're committed to a year-long collaboration, ensuring accessibility for all while deepening our Indigenous engagement commitments.
"Together, we're striving for continuous progress, working hand in hand to create a more sustainable environment and leaving a lasting, positive social impact," she added.
In 2023, in keeping with its commitment to diversity and inclusion, Cushman & Wakefield partnered with Nathan Peckham to create a unique, six-metre by two-metre mural art piece with the integration of artistic input from 16 students aged between seven and 15 who attend St Lucy’s School, a school for students with a disability.
This collaboration creates a shared story of connecting place and nature, and uniting people of all abilities in caring for Country. Through an artistic lens, inspired by nature and First Nations truth telling, Nathan and the St Lucy’s School artists have come together on Cammeriagal Country at Taronga Zoo, a meeting place of knowledge and sharing.
Taronga remains committed to the longstanding initiatives such as the Taronga Wings Program, offering work experience for supported adults with intellectual disability working alongside Taronga employees; Access Taronga days for a variety of non-for-profit organisations such as Autism Spectrum Australia, refugee organisations and other community centres; Piloted Dementia Program initiated with St Luke’s Care facility, community Zoo mobile visits and the much-loved annual Dream Night event in December.
About Cushman & Wakefield
Cushman & Wakefield (NYSE: CWK) is a leading global commercial real estate services firm for property owners and occupiers with approximately 52,000 employees in nearly 400 offices and 60 countries. In 2023, the firm reported revenue of $9.5 billion across its core services of property, facilities and project management, leasing, capital markets, and valuation and other services. It also receives numerous industry and business accolades for its award-winning culture and commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), sustainability and more. For additional information, visit www.cushmanwakefield.com.
