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| COLIN THIELE MEMORIAL PLAQUE |
On Sunday, 13th June 2010, some 60 people attended the launch of the
Hon Justice Christopher Legoe’s land at Salt Creek and the unveiling of a plaque in tribute to Colin Thiele AC. Overall it was quite a turnout
in the little road stop of Salt Creek and caught some attention around
the state.
A press release put out by the Hon Bob Such MP attracted community interest via
an article in the Sunday Mail
headed “Coorong tribute to Thiele”, ABC
radio news reports and a long interview on Sunday morning on ABC
National’s Australia All Over. Bob Such has been campaigning to have
Colin Thiele recognised more widely and has helped facilitate the land
gift and memorial. Bob attended and helped Mrs Rhonda Thiele, Colin's
wife, unveil the plaque after a stirring oration from Dr Alan
Brissenden AM who was a close friend of Colin. [Click the photo above
to see a larger version of Hon Dr Bob Such MP, Hon Justice Christopher
Legoe, Mrs Rhonda Thiele, and David Moyle AM (President, NFSA) just
after the unveiling.]
[Click on the photo, below right, to read the Colin Thiele Memorial Plaque.]
 The
Legoe land is 13 ha of pristine Coorong bushland, very bio-diverse and
fronting the actual Salt Creek (the creek, not the town) leading into
the Coorong proper. It is continuous with the current Coorong National Park
and is a fine addition to the Park. Steve Bourne, from Department of
Environment & Heritage (now DENR), spoke at the ceremony
acknowledging the generous gift of the land via the Foundation.
It was a memorable event for the Foundation in being able to show
recognition in memory of and respect for the life and work of Colin
Thiele AC and to thank Christopher Legoe for his generosity in donating
this land at Salt Creek.
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WITCHELINA - A Nature Foundation SA Reserve
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 The
Hon Peter Garrett MP made a flying visit into the Outback, along with
an entourage of journalists and over 50 guests for possibly the single
biggest event (so far) in the life of the Foundation: the launch of Witchelina - A Nature Foundation SA Reserve
on Friday the 4th of June 2010.
To purchase this significant property, Nature Foundation SA assembled a
comprehensive funding package which included a major contribution from
the Commonwealth’s Caring for our
Country initiative together with very considerable contributions
from the South Australian Government
and five resource companies. These five companies elected to discharge
their environmental offset obligations through this project: Santos Ltd, Beach Energy Ltd, Victoria Petroleum NL, Epic Energy Ltd and Stuart Petroleum Ltd.
At
just over 4,200 square kilometres, more than twice the size of urban
Adelaide, Witchelina is the largest property ever purchased for the
National
Reserve System through Caring for our Country. The huge size
of this conservation corridor boosts the resilience of
the parks and reserves within it, providing opportunities for native
species to adapt to a changing climate, fire and drought.
The new reserve also forms a vital habitat link from South Australia’s
Lake Torrens into the Northern Territory, covering almost 10 million
hectares. It is part of the world’s first transcontinental wildlife
corridor being created through the heart of Australia’s outback,
between Port Augusta and Arnhem Land.
Witchelina has a long social history. The property straddles the
boundaries of the Adnyamathanha
and Arabunna
peoples who have continued a strong spiritual connection to their
country. After European occupation, Witchelina operated as a pastoral
station for more than 140 years. We are greatly encouraged by the
interest shown by our neighbours and the local outback community and we look
forward to a cooperative working relationship.
Baseline survey work by BushBlitz
is planned to get a detailed picture of the
reserve’s biodiversity and the
Foundation anticipates exciting new discoveries
especially in plants and reptiles.
We are also heartened by the interest
shown in the project by the scientific community and we also thank
Primary Industries & Resources SA (PIRSA), SA Chamber of Mines
& Energy (SACOME), the Native Vegetation Council, the SA Arid Lands
NRM Board and the
Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) for their
ongoing support.
Building these environmental gains will take several decades and this
management responsibility represents a significant commitment fy NFSA
that will require considerable ongoing resources. If you would like to
contribute, please click here to go to our DONATE page.
Click the image at left to download a copy of the brochure.
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| DAMIEN PEARCE MEMORIAL FUND
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 Damien Pearce was a young South Australian who made a remarkable contribution to nature conservation in our State.
Damien's work for nature conservation covered a wide scope as he
managed a research program in Western Australia on feral goats, was
Project Manager of Operation Bounceback in the Flinders Ranges, and he
led the implementation of the River Murray Forest Project. As
Operational Manager within the Coorong Lower Lakes Murray Mouth
Project, he oversaw the feasibility and viability of the salinity
reduction project.
Damien was universally respected by his peers across many government
departments and in the broader community, and was well known for his
practical, no nonsense approach together with a determination to get
things done and make a difference. A dry sense of humour and an earthy
and laconic approach were the Damien Pearce trademarks which endeared
him to his workmates and landholders across regional South Australia.
Damien's untimely death on the 13th April 2010, at just 36 years of
age, is a tragedy that has shocked his many friends and colleagues
within government and across the Natural Resource Management fraternity
of South Australia. His work and commitment will be perpetuated and
sustained through the Damien Pearce Memorial Fund, a tangible way to
remember this extraordinary young South Australian.
The above are extracts taken from the article, "Damien Pearce - An
Extraordinary South Australian", written by Trevor Naismith, Director
Regional Operations, DEH (now DENR). Download a copy of our Winter 2010 naturematters newsletter to read the complete article.
For those who wish to make a donation to the Damien Pearce Memorial Fund, please contact the NFSA office, click to download a donation form that can be posted to the office or go to our DONATE page to donate online.
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How you
can Help Nature:
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Individuals,
Couples and Families can become members
or you can donate funds, land, in kind
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