The Cassowary Awards - 2001

Each year the Wet Tropics Management Authority recognises individuals and groups who have made outstanding contributions to the conservation and presentation of the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area.

The third annual Cassowary Awards were held in Cairns at the Cairns City Council Chambers in August 2001. The awards were presented by the Queensland Minister for Environment, the Hon Dean Wells, and the Federal Parliamentary Secretary, Dr Sharman Stone, representing the Commonwealth Environment Minister.

Left to right: Hon Dean Wells, George Mansford, Brody Clubb (grandson of George Davis), Peter Stanton, Hazel Douglas, Tui Tresize (Alexandra Bay school captain), Dr Sally Driml, Rosemary Hill, Syb Bresolin and Dr Sharman Stone.

The Cassowary Award recipients were:

Syb Bresolin (Government)

Syb Bresolin is a wonderful woman who is helping scientists and managers understand the cultural side of managing the rainforest. Syb is a Yidinji woman who completed a four year ranger training program at TAFE before going to work with the QPWS Centre for Tropical Restoration at Lake Eacham. Fellow staff now appreciate the importance of Rainforest Aboriginal cultural heritage and the spiritual significance of caring for country. This is a new, ground-breaking development for Government agencies and adds a new dimension to environmental management. Syb has provided the first social contact with an indigenous Australian for many of the international dignitaries, community volunteers and students who come to the Centre’s nursery.

George Davis (Indigenous Culture)

George has made an outstanding contribution to the survival and enhancement of tropical rainforest Aboriginal culture and heritage. George is from the Malanbarra-Yidinjy clan group and grew up in the traditional way under the guidance of his grandfather. He went on to spend the next 49 years travelling all over north Queensland’s rainforests cutting timber. Since retiring in Atherton he has dedicated his time to his cultural heritage as both an artist and educator. He is widely respected in the Aboriginal community for his skill in making traditional artefacts such as shields, dilly bags and boomerangs. He’s also widely respected in the wider community as a true gentleman and a valued elder of the Atherton community. George is committed to community education and visits local schools and other centres to talk about his culture.

Hazel Douglas (Nature Based Tourism)

As a traditional owner and member of the Yalanji people, Hazel is highly qualified to introduce visitors to the rainforest and beaches where she grew up. Hazel teaches her guests about customary bush foods and medicines, and gives them an authentic cultural experience in the rainforest. But perhaps her greatest gift to visitors is her generosity in sharing her spiritual connection with the land.

Sally Driml (Science)

Sally receives this award for outstanding services in linking economics and ecology in furtherance of the ecologically sustainable development of the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area. Sally's studies have valued the direct and indirect economic value of tourism in the Wet Tropics and demonstrated the importance of conservation and well managed tourism in the Wet Tropics for its future economic sustainability.

Rosemary Hill (Conservation Advocacy)

Rosemary is an outspoken leader of the conservation movement who is also a respected researcher and academic. She was the founding vice-president of the Far North’s peak conservation group, CAFNEC, in 1981. Rosemary and other conservation activists lobbied politicians and the media, ran community education programs and, when necessary, stood in front of bulldozers to stop logging. She serves as a member of the Board of the Australian Conservation Foundation, Australia’s leading national environment group. Her PhD collaboration with Kuku Yalanji people about fire management practices shows she’s still one step ahead in recognising the future role of Rainforest Aboriginal people in World Heritage management.

George Mansford (Unsung Hero)

After a career spanning three wars, most people would be ready to relax. But as a Wet Tropics Board member and Chair of the Landholders and Neighbours Group for six years, George has devoted enormous time and effort to encouraging the community to participate in World Heritage conservation and management. George played a pivotal role in knocking on doors in Brisbane and Canberra and convincing both State and Federal Governments to support critical funding for cassowary conservation. He continues to play a pivotal role in World Heritage conservation in his role as President of the Australian Rainforest Foundation.

Peter Stanton (Science)

There are few people involved in the World Heritage Area who have not heard of Peter. He began his working life as a forester on the Atherton Tablelands and went on to play an instrumental role in the listing of most of our national parks and the World Heritage Area. Peter spent many years working within the government system, often in very difficult political climates. Peter retired from the park service several years ago and since then has continued to provide invaluable assistance to the Authority on vegetation mapping and assessment.

Alexandra Bay School (Community Conservation)

Eight years ago the Daintree Cassowary Care Group set up a community nursery in the school grounds. With the help of the children and their parents, they have raised and planted many thousands of cassowary food trees throughout the district. Their tree planting efforts have won the school national and international recognition. Gaylene Sheather from the Daintree Cassowary Care Group, Alan Beard from the School P & C and School Captain, Tui Tresize received the award on behalf of the school.