We're not a government institution, nor a private company, we're a volunteer-driven not-for-profit science and education initiative.

We exist only because of the hard work, commitment, and support of many fair-dinkum people. Why not be one of them? You'll be doing something worthwhile, helping tell Australia's story and building important cultural heritage in the process. It's also a unique opportunity to experience real science as it happens!

We already have more Australian dinosaur fossils than the rest of the world combined and we're unearthing more each year. Most are the first of their kind known to science. This material is a national treasure and important cultural heritage.

We desperately need facilities to store, prepare, display, and preserve these amazing finds. We need your help to build a working dinosaur museum; an iconic, purpose-built institution devoted to research and education that everyone can visit and enjoy.

There are many ways you can help or be directly involved in this project.

Simply visiting us, subscribing to our acclaimed annual Journal, or buying our exclusive products is a great way to help.

To be more directly involved you can join a dig team, help prepare dinosaur bones, volunteer your time, or donate.

What we offer is "open-door science", where you can choose to be directly involved with the collection and preparation of real dinosaur fossils.

How can you best help?
A very effective way to help is to donate. We're a registered Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR 1) so donations over $2.00 are tax deductible. One thing we're proud of is how far we can stretch every last dollar, so every bit really does help!

When should I donate?
Right now! We are resource-limited in many areas and your donation will have IMMEDIATE impact.

Or, simply fill-out and send the mail-in donation form:

Depending on your web browser, you may need to right-click on the image above and "Save Target As..." (or similar).

Spread the word...
If you know of anyone who may wish to be involved please tell them about us and our cause... big dinosaurs need a big home, even in the outback!

Help us bring these national treasures to the world!

Our Wish List

Blankets for Digs ($480)
We desperately need 12 more warm blankets for our annual dinosaur digs (priced at $40 ea).

Dino Shuttle Tug and Carriages ($75,000)
It's a 600 meter walk between our new Reception Center and Fossil Preparation Facility — too far for our frail and elderly visitors. With this in mind, we're developing a shuttle service that will include a guided Geo Tour between our dinosaur museum facilities. On this tour our guides will show visitors some of the beautiful scenery of the Jump-Up and explain the incredible geology and bio-diversity of the region.

The shuttle service will consist of two specially made carriages pulled along with a tow tug — the same as the baggage tow vehicles you see in city airports.

Each carriage will hold 20 people and costs ~$25,000

A tug in good condition will cost ~$25,000

Museum Car ($30,000–$45,000)
Australian Age of Dinosaurs is desperately in need of a 4WD wagon to use as our official Museum car. At present we rely on borrowing private cars belonging to staff and Board members but this is quite often difficult to arrange and maintain. We don’t need a brand spanking new BMW, just a good, clean, second-hand car that can wear our logo with pride. It just needs to be a nice enough vehicle to collect the Governor General, the Governor of Queensland or the State Premier — all jobs we have been honored to do in the past — with someone else’s car!

Children’s Book Series ($15,000)
We have just published a fantastic set of children's books featuring our dinosaurs Banjo, Matilda, Clancy and Elliot. They're written for preschool and lower primary agegroups who are just beginning to discover the fascination of storybooks and dinosaurs. However, we don't have sufficient funds to print any more than a few hundred at a time which makes them a bit too expensive for many struggling families.

To print 2,500 copies of each book (there are 3) will cost $14,800 plus GST and freight but it will effectively cut our printing costs back to less than half and put stock on the shelves. Would you like to help us by paying for a print run? These are great little books and it would be wonderful to see them in the hands of our youngsters

Outfitting the new Reception Centre
We're currently building our new Reception Centre which is due to open in April/May 2011. Once construction is finished we'll need to outfit the building with all the goods and chattels necessary to commence operations there. Perhaps you might be able to help out with one or some of the following (approximate values):

Café — quality tables (x10) and chairs (x40) ~$6,000

Kitchen — Refrigerator and salad bar ~$4,000

Coffee making machine ~$3,000

Crockery — cups and small plates (100 sets) ~$4,000

Matched cutlery — x100 sets - $2,000

Shop furniture — display cabinets, shelves ~$8,000

Large video screen ~$4,000

Sunset Dinners
It's beautiful outdoors up on The Jump-Up in the evenings and Australian Age of Dinosaurs is keen to develop a memorable experience for visiting tour companies and special functions such as weddings. At present we're using privately owned cutlery and tables, and hiring chairs from the Winton Shire Council which entails a lot of traveling, organisation and setup. It would be so much easier if we had our own equipment that we could just pack away after each function. Perhaps you might like to help with some of the following:

Stack chairs (x90) - ~$2,000

Folding tables (x15) - ~$1,500

Good quality large barbecues (x2) ~$1,500 each

Cooking equipment and food containers - $500

Cutlery x 80 sets - $500

Large drinks ice chest - $800

Wine glasses x 80 - $1000

Annual Patronages

Dinosaur Lab Patron ($25,000/year x3)
Australian Age of Dinosaurs has accumulated the world’s largest collection of Australian dinosaur bones in a very short time. However this exciting collection of fossils would not have been possible without our dedicated team of young preparators. Would you like to sponsor a young person and give him/her the chance of a lifetime to become one of them for a year?

There are only three Lab Patron positions available each year and all you need to do to secure one of these is to sponsor a young person for a year to become an AAOD Lab technician. The three positions available are for:

Regional Youth Trainee (2 positions) — 1 year duration, $25,000 each

Indigenous Youth Trainee (1 position) — 1 year duration, $25,000

By simply making a tax-deductible donation of $25,000 you (or someone dear to you) can become one of this year’s Lab Patrons. Our dedicated staff will keep you up to date with monthly photographs and reports on the exciting work the trainees are performing, keeping you closely involved with this very exciting project. You will also be included on our special Patrons Plaque.

Dinosaur Dig Patron ($50,000)
Each year Australian Age of Dinosaurs holds a dinosaur dig which runs for several weeks. People from all corners of Australia join us for this important event with 39 people (plus staff) becoming involved each year. These digs have seen many exciting discoveries and led to the recovery of most of Australia’s most significant dinosaurs. Would you like to become closely involved with this exciting event?

As this year’s Dig Patron you can be included in all aspects of the dig and will have the opportunity to become involved at the highest level. You will be invited to attend as Guest of Honour at a special dinner with Australian Age of Dinosaurs Company Chairman, local Board Members and one of the dig teams during the dig and will be able to participate in the digs with up to two guests at your leisure. You will also be included in a monthly lab report from our dedicated young staff on new discoveries and lab progress, and your name will be included on our special Patrons Plaque.    

The position of Dinosaur Dig Patron can be secured for a tax deductible donation of $50,000, but if you would prefer this position can be shared with another person.