Bessie Rischbieth Conservation Award Recipient 2001

Joan Payne

Joan Payne has worked tirelessly for many years to save wetlands and urban bushland.

Joan won the respect of her conservation movement colleagues, public servants and politicians for her dedication, energy, firm principled approach and cool reasoning.  The success of the campaigns to end recreational duck-shooting in WA and to save significant areas of urban bushland (e.g. Brixton Street) was due largely to Joan’s efforts.  She is renowned for her constant letter-writing, her persistent appealing against bad EPA decisions and her effective lobbying of politicians.

Joan’s involvement in wetlands arose through helping wildlife carers to save birds from an outbreak of botulism at Thomsons’ Lake.  This led to the formation of the Waterbird Conservation Group in 1984, and Joan was elected the inaugural President in 1986 and has continued in that position ever since.

Joan has also served on the Executive of the Conservation Council of WA for many years and has been one of its most reliable, respected and effective members.