Bessie Rischbieth Conservation Award Recipient 1996

Barbara Churchwood

Barbara Churchwood has made a dedicated and effective contribution to a range of conservation campaigns in Western Australia including forests, wetlands, marine and coastal pollution, national parks and bush land protection.

Barbara’s total commitment to the environment has been an inspiration to many people who are active in the conservation movement and she has become a role model to many activists.  She had the passion to keep fighting for the environment against great odds, and in the face of hostility from the Government.  She also had a sense of vision and in the 1980’s was able to steer the voluntary conservation movement in directions which would make it more effective and relevant.  Barbara virtually single handedly held the Conservation Council together during difficult times in the mid 1980’s.  She provided vital leadership at a crucial time in the history of the Council and through her efforts put it on the path to becoming the most influential and respected voice of the non-government conservation movement in Western Australia.

Barbara was also a very effective campaign manager and played a major role in the campaigns for the Shannon National Park and several regional parks.  She led the Conservation Council’s campaign for the Shark Bay World Heritage nomination.