Bessie Rischbieth (1874 - 1967)

Bessie Rischbieth arrived in Western Australia in 1898, at the age of 24.  She was a woman of great vitality who was to contribute much to Western Australia.  In particular, she became a tirless and successful champion for the equality of women, both in WA and internationally.

Bessie is also remembered for her part in bringing environmental issues to public attention at a time when many, politicians in particular, still saw the Western Australian environment as alien and unnatural.  It is for her stand in the unsuccessful campaign to prevent the reclamation of the Swan River for the Narrows Interchange that Bessie Rischbieth is best known.

In 1964, at the age of 89, Mrs Rischbieth waded into the River in front of bulldozers, in a last ditch attempt to stop the reclamation.

In 1965 the Citizen committee for the Preservation of Kings Park changed its name to the Citizens Committee for the Preservation of Kings Park and the Swan River and continued its campaign to save from vandalism what Bessie Rischbieth saw as the two great natural heritages belonging to the people of Perth.

In 1994 the Conservation Council of WA initiated the Bessie Rischbieth Award for Conservation to recognise individuals who have been actively involved in the conservation movement for a number of years and have displayed qualities of integrity, perseverance, courage and commitment.

Click here to download a 2009 nomination form.