Trust for Nature (Victoria)

General News

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A generous legacy for the future

David Wakefield and Laurie Macmillan spent their lives caring about and conserving the natural world.

They made a generous bequest to Trust for Nature in the form of a property in Strath Creek, 100 km north of Melbourne, and the passionate conservationists will continue to make a difference through this legacy.

The 41 ha property had been nurtured by both since 1981.

The property has a conservation covenant on it — a legally-binding agreement permanently protecting native vegetation — and Laurie and David worked to build on the ecological value of the land by re-establishing native vegetation that had been cleared through farming.

The covenant ensures that any new owner must continue Laurie and David’s conservation work on the property, which is habitat for native birds and animals such as the Brush-tailed Phascogale and gliding possums.

But the generous gift of threatened species habitat is far from the only legacy they have left us.

David and Laurie, who were extremely active in the conservation community, spent a lifetime contributing to threatened species conservation and inspiring others.

Both were involved in a number of committees, agencies and organisations, such as Bush Heritage Australia, the Murrindindi Shire Council Environment Advisory Committee, BirdLife Australia and the Strath Creek Biodiversity Project to name a few, and were founding members of the Strath Creek Landcare Group, King Parrot Creek Blackberry Action Group, and the King Parrot Fox Control Group.

The couple also organised and led wildflower and bird watching walks, and were involved in platypus surveys in the King Parrot Creek.

David was one of the originators of the successful Focus on Fauna blog, established after the Black Saturday bush fires.

Trust for Nature Conservation Officer, Bertram Lobert said they were very community minded and committed to conservation.

He said, “Their absence is a considerable loss to their friends and local community in Strath Creek and Flowerdale, but also to the wider community of conservationists and lovers of the natural world. They were very community-minded and loved sharing their enthusiasm and learning about nature with the world.”

Trust for Nature CEO Victoria Marles said the organisation is extremely grateful for David and Laurie’s generous gift.

She said, “From time to time we do receive bequests like this from people who believe in the work of conserving threatened species habitat.

“The Trust will most likely seek to find a new owner for the property who can continue David and Laurie’s legacy in partnership with the Trust, in accordance with the registered covenant. We would use any proceeds from the sale to support the protection of additional areas of private land in Victoria.

“It’s very humbling and we are grateful for their generosity.”

Media contact

Kathy Cogo, Media and Communications Manager, Trust for Nature, 0466 015 183, kathyc@tfn.org.au.

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Satirist John Clarke leaves conservation legacy

John Clarke’s legacy was never in doubt. The actor, famed for his satirical comedy on the ABC, left a body of work fans will enjoy for decades when he passed away in 2017.

However the family of the late comedian, who was also a passionate conservationist and ornithologist, has now left another invaluable gift in his name – a small area of globally significant wetland on Phillip Island.

Helen McDonald, John’s widow, recently donated an eight hectare property that she owned with her husband to Victorian not-for-profit conservation organisation Trust for Nature. It’s a timely gift, given John would have celebrated his 72nd birthday this week (July 29).

The land is part of the unique, richly biodiverse Rhyll Inlet, which is one of the most significant sites for migratory birds in Australia and recognised as a globally significant wetland under the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands.

The property will be used for environmental and educational purposes, with close consultation from the Bunurong Land Council. The Bunurong are the traditional owners of Phillip Island.

“This is very much about leaving a legacy,” Helen said. “John would have loved to know this land is going to Trust for Nature. It’s the natural choice for me. It really is my heart’s desire.”

John and Helen had a love affair with Phillip Island, owning a holiday house on a separate property to the donated land and living on the island part time for 37 years. During this time, John’s passion for birdlife and Rhyll Inlet grew, contributing to many happy memories with his family.

“John became an avid bird watcher and photographer,” Helen said. “He loved to watch the kookaburras with his young grandchildren. We also enjoyed the project of spotting the huge and beautiful sea eagles.”

In 1999 an opportunity to purchase the eight hectare property as a conservation project came up, and John and Helen didn’t hesitate. “We wanted to continue this important work,” Helen said.

The property was already placed under a conservation covenant – a legally-binding agreement permanently protecting native vegetation – with Trust for Nature by the prior owners.

Over the following 18 years, John and Helen built on the previous owners’ conservation legacy by encouraging the regrowth of the indigenous grasses, orchid, and swamp paperbarks; eradicating weeds; allowing fallen wood to accumulate for habitat; erecting wallaby exclosures; and planting 2,000 indigenous cultivars with help from Bass Coast Landcare. These plantations are now thriving, hosting a wide variety of flora and fauna.

After John died of natural causes while hiking and taking photos of birds in the Grampians National Park, Helen decided to donate the property to ensure the continued conservation of the precious land. “I’m devastated about climate change and I know every little bit helps,” Helen said.

Trust for Nature Port Phillip and Westernport Manager Ben Cullen said the gift is invaluable.

“This is such a significant part of the landscape and it’s a gift that gives new hope for threatened species in the area,” Ben said. “John and Helen have already done such an incredible job of rehabilitating the land and we look forward to continuing this work, incorporating traditional owner knowledge. We are very grateful.”

Trust for Nature owns 44 conservation reserves across Victoria, mostly donated or purchased with donated money. Trust for Nature has partnered with 1,450 landholders across the state to protect their land with conservation covenants, bringing the total protected to more than 100,000 ha of Victoria.

Helen still plans to visit the property with her grandchildren and said the land will continue to hold a special place in their hearts. “After John died, every little thing seemed extra significant,” she said. “A sea eagle started to come and circle the property. They’re quite rare, so John would have loved that.”

John was born in New Zealand but made his name as a comedian and political satirist in Australia after arriving in the 1970s. For 27 years, he appeared on Australian television conducting mock interviews and skewering politicians with his comedy partner, Bryan Dawe.

Media contact

Kathy Cogo, Media and Communications Manager, Trust for Nature, 0466 015 183, kathyc@tfn.org.au.

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Getting on with conservation

We hope you and your family and friends are safe and doing the best you can under the current situation where the Melbourne metropolitan area and the Shire of Mitchell have had changes to restrictions.

As we have all been advised, these restrictions mean that for people living in metropolitan Melbourne and the Shire of Mitchell, there are four reason to leave home: shopping; care giving; for compassionate reasons or seeking medical treatment; exercising.  There are also directions about work and working from home.

I’d like to provide you with an update about our reserves, our stewardship program and events.

Our reserves remain open for individual recreation, provided all visitors adhere to public health measures.

Trust for Nature staff living in metropolitan Melbourne and the Shire of Mitchell will continue their conservation work within the directions and we will continue to support landholders who have conservation covenants in these areas as best we can. If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to call our office on 8631 5888.

We would usually run events during spring where we hold open days across the state. Due to the current circumstances, we will postpone them to later in 2020 or reschedule in 2021. Stay tuned to our newsletter (subscribe) or follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

For more information about coronavirus (COVID-19) visit the Department Health and Human Services’ website or call 1800 675 398.

It has been a year full of challenges so far and I am sure that we all look forward to activities returning to normal as soon as they can.

Yours sincerely
Victoria Marles
CEO Trust for Nature

Banner photo courtesy David Whelan

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Trust for Nature open for business

As much as possible, Trust for Nature is operating its business as usual during the coronavirus state of emergency.

We will continue to support covenantors through our stewardship program and property visits as best we can and providing it is safe for landholders and staff.

We had a number of events lined up for March, April and May across the state which we will postpone until further notice. You can stay updated on these through Facebook, Twitter, our website and our regular newsletter Nature News which is emailed to supporters and covenantors every two months. You can subscribe below.

Most of our staff in regional offices and the Melbourne office have started working from home and you can still contact us on the main number 03 8631 5888 or trustfornature@tfn.org.au.

For information about coronavirus please refer to Victorian Government’s Health and Human Services or call 1800 675 398.

Thank you for your patience and understanding during these unprecedented times  and we hope you and your family and friends are safe.

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Yarra residents permanently protect land to save critically endangered species

Landholders in the Yarra Ranges are taking legal steps to permanently protect habitat for endangered species by placing conservation covenants on their properties.

Conservation covenants are tied to title, protecting habitat even after the property changes hands.

Trust for Nature has partnered with more than 1,400 landholders across Victoria to put covenants on properties, 48 of these are in the Yarra Ranges.

Ben Cullen from Trust for Nature said they’re working with neighbouring properties in the area to link habitat for all native animals, but particularly the threatened Helmeted Honeyeater and Leadbeater’s Possum.

“We have a cluster of neighbouring properties adjacent to the Yellingbo Reserve that are protected by conservation covenants.

“The covenants make a real difference because they mean that as urban pressures increase in the area we don’t lose special environments that are critical to the survival of threatened species.”

The covenants don’t stop landholders from doing most of the things they would normally do on their properties; they still keep animals, maintain their home, garden and lifestyle while protecting the really important areas.

“Many landholders we work with don’t know a lot about conservation, and that doesn’t matter at all.

“They move to this area for its amazing natural beauty. It’s a lifestyle choice for many—the landholders happen to also be critical in saving the Helmeted Honeyeater and Leadbeater’s Possums from extinction. That’s an incredible legacy and something they can be really proud of.”

As part of Trust for Nature’s Spring into Nature program, locals had the chance to visit two Yellingbo properties in October which had conservation covenants placed on title 12 months ago.

The properties showcase the diversity and resilience of the land and what can be achieved when it’s given the chance to regenerate.

Previously grazed areas now have rich understorey with many native orchids. The areas act as a buffer to the nationally significant swampy vegetation in low lying areas.

Yellingbo residents Gaye Gadsden and David Carr put a convenant on two-thirds of their property in 2018.

Gaye said, “I really love wildlife and we’ve just got tens of thousands of creatures that we share this property with and I don’t want to see their home compromised.

“We’re only caretakers here for at best a couple of decades and beyond that I want to make sure all of those other creatures that we share this place with, home remains.”

Trust for Nature is one of Australia’s oldest conservation organisations, established by an Act of the Victorian Parliament in 1972 to protect habitat on private land. It is a not-for-profit organisation that relies on the generosity of supporters to help protect Victoria’s biodiversity.

Main photo: Attendees look at precious orchids at an open day on Gaye and David’s property.

Inset photo: Helmeted Honeyeater.

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