Dearest supporters,

It is with deepest sadness and heavy hearts that we inform you of the passing of our beloved president Tony Gilding. He passed away peacefully after a long illness, still working to save orangutans to the very end.

We will miss him more than words can express. Tony was not just our president but a good friend and mentor to all of us.

“We are truly saddened to lose our leader, BOS Australia President, Tony Gilding who passed away on Saturday after losing his courageous battle with cancer. Tony was a true visionary, conservationist and environmentalist, and his legacy will live on well into the future helping to preserve Orangutans and other at risk species and habitats. Tony’s tireless work throughout his career has created meaningful change and immeasurable protection for biodiversity within Australia and Indonesia. The team at BOS Australia will miss Tony’s indomitable spirit, passion and drive, and our thoughts are with his family at this time.” Kerin Welford, Vice President BOS Australia

As an environmentalist and a community hero, he volunteered countless hours over many years, helping protect endangered species and their habitats. His special love and care were devoted to orangutans, whom he called the ‘coolest animals on the planet’. His dedication to the species will have an impact not only now but for generations to come.

Tony ensured the protection, conservation and restoration of vast rainforest areas in Australia and overseas, and he inspired so many to do their part to better our world.

Some of the key achievements Tony was involved with during his career include volunteering as a Board Member of Rainforest Rescue, a Founding Member of the Great Ape Survival Project Australian Committee, the Co-Founder Deputy Chair of the Northern Rivers Wildlife Hospital, and the Founder of the Byron Hinterland Working Group. In addition, he ran his own iconic animal park, called ‘Macadamia Castle’.

The funds he raised during his almost 13-year tenure at BOS Australia to date have contributed to 493 orangutans being released into the wild, the running of two of the world’s largest orangutan rehabilitation centres and over 400,000 hectares of forest land being protected and restored.

As part of BOS Australia, Tony was instrumental in delivering significant revenue to the BOS Foundation from 2009 to 2021, totalling over three million Australian dollars. And it was thanks to his engagement that we secured Salat Nusa Island as a pristine pre-release site and orangutan conservation area on 655-hectares, safe from exploitation.

“Tony, thanks for everything you did for orangutans, we may forget what you said, but we will never forget how you made us feel. As a famous journalist once said, “Lots of people want to ride with you in the limo, but what you want is someone who will take the bus with you when the limo breaks down” and you proved it. You were hard to find, difficult to leave and impossible to forget.” Dr. Jamartin Sihite, CEO BOS Foundation

Tony drove the trailblazing Samboja Lestari Solar Power Project, saving 150,000 kilograms of CO2 per year, along with significant infrastructure projects, including rainwater collection and a major road project. In honour of Tony’s tireless contribution to the project and to orangutan and rainforest conservation, the plaza in front of the solar power plant facility is named “Tony Gilding Solar Plaza”.

Thank you, Tony, for all you have done. We will carry your passion, larger than life personality and legacy in our hearts. And we will continue to do what you want us to do: save orangutans from extinction.

Your BOS Australia Team