DAVID COLEBY

David Coleby has greatly contributed to the conservation of the Blue Mountains for many years. He has been a dedicated Bushcare volunteer with Wentworth Falls Lake Bushcare Group for 21 years and the Co-Ordinator and member of the Sublime Point Bushcare Group for 23 years. David managed the Blue Mountains Conservation Society Nursery as a volunteer for 11 years.  He is an active member of the Glenbrook Australian Plants Society Nursery.  David has been an ongoing volunteer of the Blue Mountains Cultural Centre since its inception in 2012.  He also volunteered at Lithgow Zig-Zag Railway for five years, until the fire in 2013.  David’s strong botanical interest has led to several voluntary studies on Blue Mountains plants – with three papers published in the Royal Botanic Gardens journal Cunninghamia.  He is currently undertaking further study on a review of the distribution of the Eucalyptus cunninghamii, with plans for future publication.  Other articles have been published locally regarding Blue Mountains botany and history.

PAMELA GARDINER

Pamela Gardiner is a founding and dedicated member of the Benoit Park Bushcare Group (Valley Heights) with 13 years of service.  She has been involved with the local Valley Heights Church, including Sunday School and Parish Council.  Pamela has been a member of the Blaxland Gem and Mineral Club for over 40 years and held a number of roles. Up until recently, she regularly displayed four show cases for the Annual Show.  Pamela has been a member of the Valley Heights Progress Association for over 30 years and currently holds the role of Secretary, which also includes co-ordinating the annual raffle to raise funds for the Association.  For over 30 years, Pamela has been committed to rescuing and caring for our local wildlife with WIRES – most recently caring for micro and macro bats.  Pamela is often asked to speak for Probus, Rotary and other Groups regarding the work of WIRES and she often assists new members of WIRES.  Pamela believes if you don’t use it, you lose it!

CHRIS WATSON

Chris Watson is a long-term and integral member of the Jackson Park Bushcare Group.  For many years, Chris was involved with a number of various projects with the Parish of St Thomas Aquinas and St Thomas Aquinas/St Columbas Schools, including working in natural areas.  Chris is a very friendly, helpful and hard-working person, who is always willing to assist anyone with advice or work.

BILL WEBSTER

Until recently, Bill Webster was a dedicated volunteer with the Popes Glen Bushcare Group with 24 years of service.  He was a SES volunteer for 45 years, including as a trainer and assessor.  Bill was an expert on search co-ordination and a trainer for observation techniques and chainsaw operation.  Bill was also qualified for high-level rope rescue and swift-water rescue.  He assisted with the Thredbo landslide disaster in 1997.  For many years, Bill was active in Probus and held several Committee positions, including President and Bushwalk Co-Ordinator and Leader.  He served on the Rhododendron Society Committee in a variety of positions, including Membership Secretary for several years.  Bill was also a long-term and regular volunteer gardener at the Rhododendron Gardens, with a particular emphasis on safety.  He was involved with the HUFF Programme Heads Up For Fire community awareness and readiness.  Bill also participated in long-distance bicycle rides to raise money for charities.  He has been a mainstay of the Blackheath community.