Bessie Rischbieth Conservation Award Recipient 2003

Rachel Siewert

Although Rachel has been the paid Conservation Council Coordinator for approximately 16 years, Rachel’s weekly work has almost without exception involved considerable amounts of unpaid overtime, with difficult work situations such as night meetings and frequent travel.  Rachel commitment to conservation has been tireless.  It would be fair to say that no environmental issue dealt with by the Council has escaped Rachel’s attention during her term as coordinator.  Her involvement has spanned everything from classic grassroots activities to leading lobbying activities with State and Federal Ministers.

Many of the large campaigns that Rachel led or co-led had humble beginnings.  A core part of her work therefore was doing all the things necessary for these nascent stages such as convening small community meetings, staffing stalls and painting banners for example.

Rachel has led or co-led some extraordinary successful campaigns, which have directly raised awareness about particular environmental issues as well as making big contributions to raising general environmental consciousness.

Rachel has seen quite a number of campaigns to their conclusions including the creation of the Shark Bay World Heritage Area; creation of the Leseur National park; stopping of the Maud’s Landing marine development proposal; introduction of clearing laws into the Environmental Protection Act; and the banning of mining and exploration in the Shark Bay World Heritage Area.

It is hard to imagine anyone having made a stronger commitment to the issues and the people associated with the movement.  No doubt this will remain so with her future endeavours.