G’Day USA: Curtis Australia and the Wildlife Warriors

by Bernard Maisner

The gala evening began with a cocktail hour and red carpet arrivals of many celebrities, including conservationists Terri and Bindi Irwin, John Travolta, Khalia Ali, and the cast of Xanadu. We were gathered at Jazz atthe Lincoln Center in New York, and the occasion was the G’Day USA Wildlife Warriors benefit dinner featuring Australia Plays Broadway. Inspired by Steve and Terri Irwin, Wildlife Warriors was founded to encourage people to join together in the care and protection of wildlife around the world. A particular highlight of the evening was the brand-new Curtis Australia Wildlife Warrior pen on display. This very special bejeweled fountain pen, which caught the attention of the charismatic 9-year-old Bindi Irwin as she passed by, is from Australia’s only luxury pen maker and is one of only six Wildlife Warrior pens created. Priced at $80,000, it is a tour-de-force creation honoring Australia’s native wildlife, and it achieves its purpose in as magnificent a way imaginable: the pen itself is a rare species! Creator Glenn Curtis, a gentle and inspired man, and his wife and partner, Heather, donated the pen for an auction, also held that evening, with proceeds going directly to Wildlife Warriors.