Thirty years ago a group of concerned citizens banded together to fight against the massive and brutal hunt for whitecoat harp seals in Canada.

The International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) courageous actions drew international attention to the plight of the seal pups and successfully rallied worldwide condemnation of the hunt. Thanks to IFAW's continued vigilance, it is now illegal to hunt whitecoat seal pups for commercial purposes on the ice floes off Canada's east coast.

Today IFAW goes into battle for all kinds of animals, all over the world. With two million supporters worldwide IFAW has the ability to engage communities, government leaders, and like-minded organisations around the world to achieve lasting solutions to pressing animal welfare and conservation challenges.

IFAW has maintained a presence in Australia since 1990 and works tirelessly for the protection of native wildlife, domestic animals, and the creatures that live in the waters of the Asia Pacific region.

IFAW has grown to become one of the most influential and important conservation groups within the world.

In October I had the immense honour of being awarded as one of IFAW's Animal Hero - the 2007 Animal Welfare and Education award - a truly humbling and incredibly proud moment.

With this recognition I hope to spread the word on the proper care of Australian native animals even further.

Visit IFAW's website: www.ifaw.org

IFAW's Media Release

Linda's Acceptance Speech

Article in Linda's local paper - the Central Western Daily