Ron and Val Taylor
Surprisingly, Sydney-based Ron and Val – two of the world’s earliest
and most outspoken marine conservationists – began their love affair
with the ocean as spearfishing champions. But Ron, who died in 2012,
was also a keen photographer and soon became more interested in
shooting underwater life with a camera than a spear. From the
mid-1960s, they emerged as staunch advocates for the protection of
marine environments and creatures, particularly sharks. They had huge
international influence by bringing the underwater realm to ordinary
people through their photography and documentaries (AG 11). Val
was a long-time AG Society trustee and many of her articles have
appeared in the magazine and on the website.Francis ‘Frank’ Manthey
One half of Australia’s ‘Bilby Brothers’, Frank Manthey has dedicated
much of his life to the re-establishment and protection of Australia’s
bilbies. In 1999 Frank co-founded the Save the Bilby Fund with Peter
McRae. The two located land at Currawinya National Park in Queens-
land for a bilby sanctuary, and raised funds for the construction of a
25sq.km predator-proof fence around it. Frank has since proved to be
a gifted communicator, bringing the plight of bilbies to the general
public, enlisting the support of Australian chocolate company Darrell
Lea, and convincing the federal government to gazette National Bilby
Day. He was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia in 2012 for
his conservation efforts.Phillip Toyne
and Rick FarleyPhillip (1947–2015) and Rick
(1952–2006) had an irrevoca-
ble impact on Australia’s
environment when, in 1989,
they established Landcare
Australia. Phillip was a teacher
and lawyer for Central Australia
Aboriginal communities before
heading the Australian
Conservation Foundation and
then Bush Heritage Australia.
Rick, a former journalist and
political adviser, fought for the
rights of Aboriginal people and
farmers alike in roles with the
National Farmers’ Federation,
Cattlemen’s Union of Australia,
Council for Aboriginal Reconcili-
ation and National Native Title
Tribunal. Through Landcare,
the pair aligned farmers and
conservationists.Robert Purves
As a businessman Robert has
long championed the Australian
environment. He used $10
million from the sale of his
shares in a radiology and
aged-care company to establish
the Purves Environmental Fund.
It annually donates $2
million to support
sustainability and
biodiversity. And
Robert has
personally
donated more
than $5 million to
environmental
causes. He is also the current
WWF Australia president, a
founding member of The
Wentworth Group of Concerned
Scientists and a director of both
Earth Hour Global and the
Climate Council of Australia.Rachel Lowry
Driven to create a sustainable
future for all life, Rachel has
emerged as one of Australia’s
most active wildlife
conservationists. As Wildlife,
Conservation and Science
Director at Zoos Victoria,
she’s developed
acclaimed
conservation
programs, such
as the Don’t
Palm Us Off
campaign, which
aims to weaken
Australia’s connection to
orangutan habitat destruction
by seeking mandatory palm oil
labelling on food products. She
advises the Threatened Species
Commissioner and has led
development of a conservation
plan to stop species extinctions.Ian Lowe
Ian has been talking about
the climate change issue
since long before it was a hot
topic of public debate. An
emeritus professor in Griffith
University’s School of Science,
he is an anti-nuclear advocate
and recognised as one of the
world’s leading climate change
scientists. In 1996 Ian chaired
Australia’s first national report
on the State of the Environ-
ment and in 2004 became
president of the Australian
Conservation Foundation, a
position that he held until late- Ian is a prolific writer on
environmental issues. His
contributions to science have
been rewarded on many
occasions, including in 2001
when he was made an Officer
of the Order of Australia.
OPPOSITE: PAT SCALA / FAIRFAX PR
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January. February 6930 YEARS OF AUSTRALIAN GEOGRAPHIC