A Roleystone swimmer used his attempt at the Rottnest Channel Swim on Saturday to raise funds for the endangered Gilbert’s Potoroo, and he’s hoping for donations despite his race attempt being cut short.
Fettes Falconer first heard about the Quokka-like mammal back in 1994, at the Roleystone Karragullen Cricket Club when team scorer Tony Start let him in on a secret.
“You do know that the Gilbert’s Potoroo has not been seen for over 120 years, and it’s considered extinct? Well, it’s been rediscovered, it’s not extinct,” said Tony.
The furry friend had been discovered living alongside Quokkas by a PhD student at Two People’s Bay near Albany.
Many years later, while working as a teacher, Fettes invited the Gilbert’s Potoroo Action Group to talk to his students about the native animal.
The visit inspired his students to begin raising funds for the group, and Fettes has kept up the fundraising to this day.
And while the Roleystone swimmer hoped to inspire donations by completing the Rottnest Swim on Saturday, his attempt was cut short when officials called a halt to it at the 17km mark due to severe weather conditions.
“If you are still considering donating to the Gilbert’s Potoroo Action Group, please, please do so,” said Fettes.
“Any amount of money will assist the group in their cause to save our precious Potoroos,” he said.
To donate to Fettes’ fund, visit rottnestchannelswim22.grassrootz.com/gilbert-s-potoroo-action-group
