CUMBERLAND BIRD OBSERVERS CLUB
Birdwatching in Sydney since 1979
Affiliated with BirdLife Australia
GRANTS FROM MEMORIAL FUND
The CBOC Memorial Fund was established in 1985, in memory of foundation member Robin Bigg who tragically died in a road accident while on a birdwatching holiday overseas. A number of CBOC members made subsequent donations to the fund.
The objective of the fund is to further the study of, interest in, and enjoyment of birds, by utilising the interest on monies earned to provide financial assistance and support to research, conservation or education projects, at the discretion of the CBOC Committee.
To make a submission, download the Memorial Fund Application Form and email it to secretary@cboc.org.au
GRANTS
We have recently introduced a regular twice-yearly cycle whereby applicants will be
able to make submissions for a grant from the Memorial Fund. The CBOC Committee will also retain its discretion to make out-of-cycle grants to time-critical projects.
Autumn round: Grant applications open on 1 February and close on 20 April. These will be assessed in May, with funding provided by the end of May.
Spring round: Grant applications open on 1 June and close on 20 August. These will be assessed in September, with funding provided by the end of September.
GRANTS AND DONATIONS MADE FROM MEMORIAL FUND
Last financial year (2025-2026)
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Study of bird populations in six Key Biodiversity Areas in southern NSW (KBAs), including Richmond woodlands.
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Study of the fidelity, health and migration of the black noddy in the Capricornia Cays as indicators of resilience and adaptability.
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Habitat use in communities of threatened coastal shorebirds in the Hunter region: where and what should land managers protect?
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NSW Mallee Fowl mound monitoring program - contribution to costs of volunteer training
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Update of the Cowra Bird Routes brochure
Previous financial year (2024-2025)
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Establishing an automated method for scanning Little Penguins at a NSW site as they enter and exit existing artificial burrows, to record nest attendance and foraging shift length during specific stages of their breeding activities.
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Study of how structural attributes of woodland vegetation influence the occurrence of nocturnal
birds, in Cumberland Plain Woodland. -
Study of the breeding biology, yearly movement patterns, and complete genetic diversity of the endangered Southern Black-throated Finch in the Townsville Coastal Plains.
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Study of the timing of the northern migration of songbirds through the Blue Mountains, focusing on proximate and ultimate drivers of seasonal and annual variation among different migrating species.
Examples of supported projects in previous years
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Burrowa Burundhang Bird Trail project to create a bird trail for the Hilltops region
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Investigation of the year-round ecology of Grey Noddies on Phillip Island, Norfolk Island
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Genetic research into Northern and Southern Giant-Petrels for taxonomic and conservation purposes.
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Research into secondary poisoning of raptors from the use of rodenticides.
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A project that is helping to protect Forty-spotted Pardalotes from parasitic flies
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A project that is improving the fitness of Regent Honeyeaters for release to the wild
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Monitoring of seabird populations off the NSW coast
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Support for AWC's work with feral cat control
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Cumberland Land Conservancy for water distribution bowls
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A project on the Tasmanian Native Hen
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A project on Glossy Black Cockatoo habitat monitoring
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A review of traditional surveying techniques of raptors
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BirdLife Australia's Woodland Birds program
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BirdLife Australia's Fire and Drought Emergency project
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Higher Ground Raptor Centre
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Australian Wildlife Conservancy (AWC) - various projects
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Mapping of breeding success of threatened raptors in NSW
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Association of Avian Veterinarians Australasian Committee for research into Beak & Feather Virus Disease
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Rainforest Trust Australia
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Bitterns in Rice project
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Bird Hide at Pitt Town Lagoon