​Margaret Rennie
ARTIST BIOGRAPHY
I have been interested in art for the past 30 years. The last 7 years since retiring in Queensland, I studied Art through classes in Pastel medium with Master Pastelist Lousie Corke. I am a member of the Pastel Society Brisbane and a member of Royal Queensland Art Society, Broardbeach Goldcoast.
Oil Painting is another medium which I am interested in and hope to learn to combine the two. I enjoy workshops to learn the many skills of pastel and oil painting. By doing this I am picking up on the skills of professional Artists During 2010 I was invited to travel to the Greek Islands with a group of Artists on a 19 day painting tour with a guide and tutor. This was a great experience in Plein Air painting.
In 2012 a trip to the Flinders ranges for a 2 week study of Plein Air painting with pastels.
I love creating works of art. My passion with art is Portrait Painting, Animals and still life – flower and table arrangements. The past years with my pastel paintings I have received many awards in different exhibitions around Queensland.
ARTIST'S REASON FOR PARTICIPATING
I am excited to be involved with this orang-utan project both as a fundraiser and also to help bring attention to the public of the plight of these magnificent animals.
Our Daughter had the opportunity to be involved with an Orang-utan project 20 years ago on the return working holiday from the UK.
She was based in the refuge at Bukit Lawin Medan nth Sumatra for approx. 3 months. During this time she helped with day to day duties around the refuge.
Unfortunately she became very sick near the end of her stay and had to return home. Disappointed that it was cut short but the memories are still with her.
This has inspired me to do my little bit towards the project and trust that it is a huge success. There are far too many species around the world that are losing their habitat or killed or captured for financial gain.
JACKY
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From Baby School to Forest Freedom
On August 18, 2012, a young male orangutan named Jacky was surrendered to International Animal Rescue’s Orangutan Conservation Centre in Ketapang, West Kalimantan. At just one and a half years old, Jacky had likely spent most of his short life as a pet. He showed no physical illness but was deeply attached to humans—clear evidence of his time in captivity.
Jacky spent two months in quarantine to ensure he was healthy and ready for the next chapter of his life. Once cleared, he joined baby school, where he began learning the skills he’d need to survive in the wild—climbing, foraging, building nests, and socialising with other juvenile orangutans.
As he matured, Jacky progressed to forest school and eventually to the Centre’s pre-release training, where he continued to grow stronger and more independent. His story is one of patience, resilience, and the power of proper rehabilitation.
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In December 2020, Jacky was released into the Bukit Baka Bukit Raya National Park alongside four other rehabilitated orangutans—Beno, Puyol, Oscarina, and Isin. After years of care and training, he now roams free in the Bornean rainforest, living the life he was always meant to live.
