The Newcastle branch of the Flora and Fauna Protection Society was formed at the public meeting presided over by Lord Mayor Ald. Purdue on April 4 1960. The 70-strong attendance was seen as an indication of support for the society's objectives of organising a community effort to preserve natural bushland and encourage home owners to protect natural flora. Aldermen Purdue stated that "[t]here has been too much indiscriminate destruction of beautiful trees. Many people clear every vestige of growth off allotments before erecting homes."
Mr R. Bennett, past President of the NSW Wildlife Society, said the Fauna Protection Act (1948) was one of the best pieces of legislation introduced in Australia. There was consternation expressed over the lack of knowledge and appreciation of native animals. "These things will not be there in future decades if we don't wake up and preserve our natural areas." Mr Roy Whalan, who was elected President of the branch, said the response to the meeting provided justification for a natural flora and fauna park in Newcastle.
In May 1981 the Society celebrated its 21st birthday. The president, Don Morris, reportedly considered the biggest achievement of the society to be the work it had done to have a reserve declared at Kooragang Island and Fullerton Cove. The society had worked for the reserve since 1969.
The Flora and Fauna Protection Society produced the Hunter Natural History journal every year. This invaluable resource is widely recognised by schools and planning bodies as a primary source of background on the natural history of the Hunter.
Interview with Wilf Dews
Born in 1909 at Teralba, Wilf Dews has spent half of his life as a volunteer working for environmental groups in New South Wales. The first half of his life he worked in coal mines for BHP. During the 1950s he became a member of The National Parks and Playgrounds Association. He helped to start the Flora and Fauna Protection Society in Newcastle in April 1960.
Mr Dews wanted to teach people about the bush and how much it meant to Australia. In addition to donating native trees to schools, the society sourced book prizes from the local community and provided them as prizes for the best school projects on native flora and fauna. The activities of the Flora and Fauna Society were well patronised by people from all walks of life. Wilf Dews' philosophy is based on what he calls the three E's; namely education, encouragement and example.
Members of the Flora and Fauna Society were heavily involved in many campaigns throughout the 1960s and 1970s, including the lengthy campaign that stopped the proposed highway from going through Blackbutt Reserve. These days Mr Dews is a member of the Warners Bay Senior Citizens group. In this capacity he donates trees to schools and (subject to council approval) plants trees on the streets.
At the age of 92 Mr Dews is still an active gardener at the retirement village where he lives. He has kept many photos and records relating to the Flora and Fauna Society and is, with the assistance of his daughter, compiling a history to be published in the near future.
Life's Work: Environmentalist Wilfred Dews with an
old friend at Lake Macquarie after receiving the
inaugural Hunter Environfest Award for excellence.
| << Previous |