ENVIRONMENTAL WEEDS ACTION NETWORK (WA)
VALE ANDREW THOMSON
(March 1930 - August 2004)
A Hard Act to Follow
Andrew was at the inaugural meeting of the Environmental Weeds Action Network.
Fighting weeds was one of Andrew’s many passions, and it was one that consumed many hours of his retirement years.
In the early 1990s when ‘Friends’ groups started forming within the urban areas, and bushland management knowledge was very limited, Andrew’s practical skills were already well established.
Andrew always kept a detailed diary in which he recorded the many sites visited, the hours spent working there, the weeds targeted and their numbers pulled. In 2002 he set himself the target of 1000 hours voluntary weeding for the year. That is nearly three hours a day for every day. He was at well over 900 when his health failed and he was hopping mad that he fell just short of his target.
Andrew never hesitated and his enthusiasm has been a vital part of the development of EWAN and weed awareness in Western Australia.
We will be trying hard to live up to his expectations.
DIANE MATTHEWS
Joanna perusing one of her flora books in her room at the York Hospital. November 2008. Photo: Mike Griffiths.
Joanna in a contemplative moment at her home in York. January 2008. Photo: Mike Griffiths.
Despite her tireless environmental campagning, Joanna always kept a sense of humour that was never far away. January 2008. Photo: Mike Griffiths.
VALE JOANNA SEABROOK OAM
22 January 1918 to 30 December 2008
On the 30th December, 2008, Joanna Seabrook, EWAN's inaugural Chair and Patron, passed away. It would be usual to write 'peacefully' passed away, however, even though confined to her bed in an aged-care facility in York, Joanna was campaigning right to the end for the sustainable management of her beloved bushlands.
Joanna Seabrook had a wide understanding of the damaging effects of feral plants on the State's natural assets. In 1994 as a member of the Wildflower Society of WA (WSWA), Greening Australia WA, and the Gordon Reid Foundation for Conservation, Joanna was an active participant at a ground-breaking forum "Invasive Weeds & Regenerating Ecosystems in Western Australia". This Forum presented by the WSWA, Murdoch University, Kings Park and Botanic Garden and the Australian Association of Bush Regenerators (WA) brought together a wide ranging group of scientists and informed amateurs with the intention of discussing 'ways and means to defend Australian eco-systems against this pervasive invasion'. Largely as a result of this Forum and Joanna's determination the Environmental Weeds Action Network was formed. Joanna believed that 'miracles can be achieved by many people working towards the same goal' (EWAN Membership Pamphlet, 1994).
Joanna was determined to see an Environmental Weed Strategy for WA (May 1999) developed for the then Dept of Conservation and Land Management (CALM); and a State Weed Plan (Oct 2001), for the Dept of Agriculture WA. Sadly these two important documents have not been supported by government funding and their recommendations have largely been ignored, while the State's unique natural environment continues to be degraded by weeds.
Those of us who have had the opportunity to know Joanna, will all have individual memories of this indomitable woman. Joanna was courageous, determined, and single-minded when it came to championing the cause of biodiversity conservation. Some may say that Joanna's enthusiasm has often had to be tempered by the diplomacy of others, but there can be no denial that Joanna's has been the driving force. This could be a trial for some who were uncomfortable with this attitude, but over the past fifty years of raising environmental awareness within local, state and federal governments, this has been an effective approach that has shaken up the status-quo and achieved results.
As Marion Blackwell, her contemporary and fellow Life Member of the Wildflower Society of WA remarked - Conservation of our environment was her prime preoccupation. This she tackled on so many fronts. No matter who said "it can't be done"; "no one's been able to" or "it's impossible" - she just went ahead, undeterred, first working out "how it could be done", then "doing it". And then, to make it easier for others to follow in her footsteps, she wrote the solutions down in a series of booklets on the theme of her "Looking after Australia, the Lucky Country".
Books published by Joanna include -
- Seeds for the Future
- How to Grow Australian Plants from Broadcast Seed
- Seeds for Sowing
- Growing Understorey Seed
- Looking After Australia.
In 1998 Joanna was given public recognition for her tireless work for nature conservation when she was awarded the Order of Australia Medal.
The State's unique wildflowers have lost a true champion and defender. Joanna Seabrook's example will be the inspiration needed for others to continue the War on Weeds.
Diane Matthews
January, 2009