Bush Heritage Australia, Annual Report 2012-2013 Page 25

Norma Gates

Norma has always been interested in
nature and conservation issues. She first
came across Bush Heritage in 2001 when
it was fundraising to buy Carnarvon Station
in Queensland.

"I realised this was an organisation that was

taking practical action towards what they
believed in," Norma says. Since retiring
several years ago, she has been using her
experience in computer software to support
the Bush Heritage ecologists by helping
with data entry and reporting.

"I have been able to donate my time

and become more involved," she says.

"The work gives me an interesting overview

of the different reserves across the country
and their conservation issues."

Last year Norma spent two weeks in
south-west Western Australia assisting
ecologist Angela Sanders on the reserves
in Gondwana Link, where Bush Heritage
collaborates with other organisations and
land owners on a large-scale project to
reconnect remnant bushland patches.

"It was impressive to see the results of the

revegetation work already carried out,"
says Norma.

"Volunteering at Bush Heritage doesn't feel

like working. It is enjoyable contributing to
such a worthwhile enterprise, and spending
my time with the staff who are all dedicated
to the same cause."

Photograph courtesy Norma Gates

Bryan West and Amy Weeks

Bryan West and Amy Weeks and their two
children are volunteering on Carnarvon
Station Reserve for 12 months.

Bryan and Amy share a love of open spaces
and the beauty of the central Queensland
highlands. They visited Carnarvon before
the 2011 flood and saw first-hand the work
that was being done there. When they heard
of the impact of the torrential rain, they
realised that there would be much to do and
so proposed spending an extended time there
to help with the recovery and manage the
outbreak of weeds.

"There was also the relationship side of

the commitment," says Bryan, who greatly
appreciates the guidance, patience and
humour of Reserve Manager Chris Wilson
and Field Officer Thornton Kerr.

"Chris and his wife Alison have children

the same age as ours. The kids can learn
from each other and play together. We can
all experience living in a remote location,
develop new skills and knowledge, and
have fun. It also provides the children with
the opportunity to experience first-hand
the enjoyment that comes from serving
something greater than ourselves.

"We have come to see Bush Heritage as a

very credible organisation for which we
have much respect, and as one that has a
pragmatic approach to putting its values
into practice," says Bryan.

Photograph courtesy Bryan West

"We can all experience living

in a remote location, develop
new skills and knowledge, and
have fun. It also provides the

children with the opportunity

to experience first-hand the
enjoyment that comes from
serving something greater
than ourselves."

Bryan West