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NPA's 50th Anniversary Dinner
Saturday August 4 saw 210 NPA supporters come together to celebrate NPA's 50th Anniversary. Andy McQueen was our entertaining MC for the evening and the elegant surrounds of The Tearoom in the historic Queen Victoria Building was the perfect setting for this historic occasion. While guests enjoyed their three course dinner and wine, they were treated to Dr Barrie Pittock's presentation titled 'Climate Change: What to expect and what to do about it.'. The evening also included the presentation of the 2007 Prudence Tucker and Allen and Beryl Strom volunteer awards. This year we also inducted four new life members, Heather Roy, Peter Morgan, Alan Fox and Richard Thompson.
The evening concluded with lucky door prizes and a raffle. Thank you to everyone who came from far and near to make this night special.
Thank you to our sponsors for generously donating the prizes for the raffle and volunteer awards.
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Bob Conroy, Central Branch Director, NPWS congratulates incoming NPA President John Macris.
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Heather Roy, who was inducted as an Honorary life Member of NPA at the dinner.
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NPA~Marine Patron Valerie Taylor
makes a presentation to NPA, which is accepted by John Macris.
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NPA Volunteer Cathy Marchant (r)
accepts her award for organisational support from Dr Barrie Pittock.
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Outgoing President Brian Everingham (r) accepts a certificate of appreciation from the Wildlife Preservation Society.
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Jim Callaway (r) from Southern Sydney Branch receives his award for Branch activities from Dr Barrie Pittock.
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Prudence Tucker Volunteer Awards
The awards honour Prudence Tucker, NPA Hon. Life Member and tireless volunteer for NPA State Council and Sydney Branch who passed away in early 2004. There are four categories in this award: Organisational Support, Statewide Conservation, Bushwalk Leading and Branch Activities.
Organisational Support: Cathy Marchant, Shand Smith
Statewide Conservation: Tim Carroll, Royal Pullen, John Vernon
Branch Activities:
Kate Boyd (Armidale)
Jim Callaway (Southern Sydney)
David Wearring (Southern Sydney)
Tim Carroll (Macarthur Branch)
Stephen Sainsbury (Sydney Branch)
Bushwalking Leadership:
Ron Doughton, Milton Branch
Cheryl Fathers, Mid North Coast Branch
Jim Foran, Southern Highlands Branch
Shirley Hillier, Sydney Branch
Roy Jamieson, Sydney Branch
David Kerr, Sydney Branch
Bill Macks, Central Coast Branch
Pat Schultz, Armidale Branch
Caryll Sefton, Illawarra Branch
Des Towne, Illawarra Branch
Allan and Beryl Strom Occasional Conservation Award: Brian Everingham
Allen and Beryl Strom were early pioneers of the conservation movement. This award honours them and their extraordinary achievements. This award is an occasional award, not necessarily given each year and is the 'top' NPA award.
Clarence Valley 50th Anniversary celebrations
PETER MORGAN, President, Clarence Valley Branch
The Clarence Valley Branch celebrations of the National Parks Association's 50th anniversary were held on 11 August, giving members and friends a chance to reminisce.
The Clarence Valley Branch formed in 1980 as the tenth branch of the Association, with initial hopes of getting out and enjoying nature and national parks. However, the branch was suddenly thrown into the Washpool campaign. It had to quickly learn about dealing with ministers, the media and accusations that their actions would lead to Grafton becoming a ghost town.
When, in 1981, the NPA state council held its meeting in Grafton, the venue was changed when it became known that the timber industry was planning to disrupt it. The following day, the two groups met in the Washpool, where a potentially violent situation was narrowly averted by some cool heads organising a way for both parties to express their views.
Also in 1981 a documentary, Rainforest: The Battle for Washpool was made by Channel 10 and broadcast on local TV. A screening of this documentary was a feature of the celebrations last Saturday evening.
The decision to make Washpool a national park was finally made in October 1982, and the 25th anniversary of the park will be marked later in the year.
Another major campaign was successfully preventing the building of a road to Shelley Headland in Yuraygir National Park after the network of derelict sandmining tracks had been closed.
The evening gave people a chance to reflect on how the environmental debate has changed. While many issues continue to generate considerable heat, it was agreed that they are now dealt with in far better ways than they were when the branch first formed.
Over the years, NPA has continued to be involved in national parks reservations and their management. Local NPA members have contributed to the community by bringing a conservation perspective to government committees at both state and local levels.
Oh - and as someone said - 'we also did a bit of bushwalking and getting out into the national parks - but not enough'.
Sydney Branch News
Branch committee meetings: 5.45 pm second Monday of every month. NPA Head Office, Level 9, 91 York St, Sydney. Come along and get involved-you'll be helping the environment at the same time! All welcome.
Sydney members evenings: These pleasant and interesting social evenings are held on the third Thursday of every month. They start at 7.30pm at 165 Blues Point Road, North Sydney, a five-minute walk from North Sydney Station. All welcome, including friends and guests. Details of forthcoming evenings are at right.
Thursday 18 October
Tajikistan and Iran
In 2006 Brendon Hyde lived in mountainous Tajikistan inspecting Soviet designed bridges. He then travelled through Iran. He will show slides of his experiences in this spectacular but isolated country on the roof of the world.
Thursday 15th November
France and Spain
Gary McDougall is an author, artist and professional traveller. At this Members' Evening, Gary will give a presentation using data projected images of walking in France and Spain along 'The Camilla', a medieval pilgrimage way over the Pyrenees, Pamplona to Navarra, Lograno, Rioja region, spectacular Burgos, the Castille, and more.
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