The Cassowary Awards - 2003

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 fifth annual Cassowary Awards were held at Rainforest Habitat in Port Douglas on 29 November 2003. The awards were presented by the Queensland Minister for Environment, the Hon Dean Wells, and representative for the Commonwealth Minister for Environment and Heritage, the Hon Warren Entsch.

The Cassowary Award recipients were:

Dr Joan Ben Trupperbaumer (Science)
Joan receives her award for her significant contribution to our understanding of the World Heritage Area through ground-breaking research. Joan's ground-breaking community attitudes surveys and research on cassowaries in the Mission Beach area highlighted the future of the endangered birds and instigated a number of cassowary conservation programs. Joan has recently completed an extensive visitor monitoring survey for the Wet Tropics region.

Mr Rupert Russell (Government)
Rupert receives his award for his contribution as a naturalist, conservationist and park ranger to the protection of the World Heritage Area. Rupert is a Queensland Parks and Wildlife ranger at the Mossman office. He has worked tirelessly for rainforest conservation and community education by giving lectures and writing publications. Rupert has particularly been involved with the protection and research of yellow-bellied gliders. Rupert’s expert opinion is valued and he is often called upon to provide ecological information to specialists in the field.

Ms Ruth Berry (Arts)
Ruth receives her award for presenting World Heritage values to the international community through film and illustration. A talented artist and filmmaker, Ruth has chosen to direct her energies into education about the environment and raising the awareness of the importance of Australia’s Tropical Rainforests. Ruth’s television documentaries receive accolades from around the world and her illustrations are featured in numerous wildlife and botanical publications.

Ms Ruth Lipscombe (Conservation)
Ruth receives her award her passionate involvement with community conservation and personal commitment to reconciliation with Traditional Owners. For many years Ruth has been enthusiastically involved with conservation on the Tablelands and in the southern Wet Tropics. She is very active in Johnstone Shire’s revegetation unit and cassowary conservation programs. Ruth is always on hand to engage with the Indigenous community and worked with the Ma:Mu Traditional Owners on their very successful Bush Tucker garden.

Mr Charles Morganson (Rainforest Aboriginal culture)
Charlie receives his award for his outstanding contribution to the continuation of Rainforest Aboriginal culture in the World Heritage Area. Charles is a Warungnu Traditional Owner from the Blencoe Falls area near Cardwell. As an enthusiastic volunteer in the local Aboriginal community, Charles’ untiring work with the Girringun Aboriginal Corporation and government land agencies has ensured the protection of Aboriginal cultural heritage and improved employment opportunities for Aboriginal people in the region. Charles sits on the Community Consultative Committee and has also helped to establish a successful mentoring program for trainee Aboriginal rangers with QPWS. He was awarded an Enivoronmental Protection Agency Australia Day Award last year in recognition of his service.

Mr George Skeene (Unsung Hero)
George receives his award for his commitment to preserving Yirrgandji culture and sharing his knowledge with the wider community. George has been documenting Aboriginal cultural heritage in Cairns, Wangetti and the World Heritage Area for many years. He has been a volunteer with the Historical Society of Cairns North Queensland for the past ten years and uses his museum displays to educate the public about the history of local Aboriginal people and their cultural values. George has forged professional relationships with German anthropologists and has located and repatriated local Aboriginal artefacts from Germany and across Australia. In 1998, he uncovered some 8,000 Aboriginal artefacts in various German museums. George has been a guest lecturer at James Cook University and a cultural educator in schools and at government cross-cultural courses. In 1998 he was recognised for his contribution to increasing and promoting cultural awareness with a Cairns Community Australia Day award.

Mr Russell Boswell (Nature Based Tourism)
Russells receives his award for his tireless commitment to encouraging sustainable tourism in the World Heritage Area. Russell has been a leader in the development of ecotourism in the region for many years through his involvement with the development and delivery of TAFE courses and through his active representation of the tourism industry on various Wet Tropics consultation groups. Russell uses his position at TAFE and on the various consultation groups to reinforce his principles of Nature Based Tourism. As an accomplished World Heritage guide he is an excellent ambassador for teaming tourism with sustainability.

Ms Janeene Wallwork (Neighbour)
Janeene receives her award for conservation initiatives on her property and leading by example as a World Heritage neighbour. Janeene’s dairy farm adjoins the World Heritage Area and, although World Heritage listing only took place in 1988, Janeen has spent the past 20 years incorporating biodiversity values on her farm. Janeen has undertaken extensive tree planting with Greening Australia, Landcare and TREAT. She has voluntarily fenced off land at Duran Creek for revegetation and is currently converting a second home on her property into an overnight stay for Misty Mountains walkers. Janeene has set an excellent example for all World Heritage neighbours, especially the primary producers.