Local Authors
It has been a great pleasure collecting the life stories of these Gippsland field naturalists. Most of them knew one another, one key involvement being with the Prom'n'aides, who seem to have had tentacles reaching into every conservation/Landcare/seed collecting group.
The naturalists shared many traits - independence, commitment, enquiring minds - but they had much more: a love of plants and animals, a passion for conservation and a willingness to communicate through print, art and speech. They shared their knowledge, collected for museums and tapped into networks of like-minded people. They all had a sense of humour. They travelled.
Much of their activity involved relationships with government agencies, shire offices and land holders. Some government agencies spent more time rearranging their names than actually fulfilling their official function. Shire officers were often more obstructive than helpful. Landholders were generally welcoming and grateful for information. Attendance at events organised for their education meant participants were frequently issued with hats, caps, shirts, or other accoutrements or certificates of appreciation earned for hours of fieldwork. The real reward was always being out there with friends doing something worthwhile.
The achievements have been monumental: tracks, wetlands, rehabilitation of flora reserves, management plans, accumulation of data about birds, insects, vegetation recovery post-fire, education of children and land holders, rebuilding after natural disasters such as floods and fires, publications and artworks. The best may be friendship.
Terri Allen had the idea for collecting these life stories.
Mary Ellis & Lorraine Norden assisted in the editing.
Published 2024