Testimonials

Audrey Larsen

“Many moons have waxed and waned since I read “Silent Spring” written by Rachel Carson, an American biologist in 1962.  I realized then how we take our wildlife and heritage for granted and how it could so easily be lost through careless, thoughtless and deliberate destruction.

Time passed and I did nothing.   But my attention was drawn to The Wilderness Society- how beautifully our countryside and important heritage areas were photographed and presented; and how meticulously their research was carried out and documented.

Not only that but I realized how, what I had grown up with as a child and the wonderful holidays I had spent on farming properties in Queensland could be lost to future generations.  

The Wilderness Society has a vast coverage and I am impressed with their research and defence of the habitat and wilderness areas, so why should I not leave them a gift!!”

Petrus Heyliger

“Have you ever hugged one of those forest giants? Have you ever admired the sheer tenacity of a large elkhorn epiphyte? Have you ever felt overawed by a flock of calling currawongs? Have you ever looked spellbound through a magnifying glass at the critters living in the leaf litter? Have you ever paused to imagine a world without such values? 

I joined the Wilderness Society during the days of the Franklin River campaign, which opened my eyes to the precarious state of Australia’s natural areas. Since these early days much has been achieved in protecting other wild areas. For a while it looked as if the protection of the natural values of our old continent had become enshrined in the workings of the bureaucracy. Regrettably, that is not always apparent and we need to be unremittingly vigilant to prevent inroads into areas we had considered as safe in perpetuity. This is where the Wilderness Society, as an Australia-wide organisation, plays a major role. Being a regular monthly donor, I have made a bequest to the Society to continue to speak and act for living nature on my behalf for a little while longer while my mortal remains take part in Gaya’s great recycling processes.”

Michael Henderson

“The Wilderness Society has impassioned many thinking people of all generations and supported Indigenous integrity towards the lands of this continent.  They have assisted in the preservation and creation of World Heritage listings, National Parks and the vast sweeps of WildCountry projects.  TWS deserves my respect, and bequest after I meet the earth worms so future generations will enjoy the beauty and splendour of the Australian natural heritage.”

Robyn Collier

Robyn Collier is a painter in the realist tradition who recently donated one of her beautiful images from her collection of Australian wilderness paintings for our 2007 Christmas cards.  Robyn is widely regarded as one of Australia’s finest wilderness artists and her work is highly sought after both within Australia, and worldwide.   She has supported The Wilderness Society for the past six years as a donor and recently pledged to leave a gift in her Will.  

Robyn is a true inspiration for both staff and fellow supporters of The Wilderness Society, and she gives us hope for the future of Australia’s environment.  On behalf of The Wilderness Society, a sincere thank you for your invaluable contributions and incredible support Robyn.  

Below, she has written about her decision to leave a gift in her Will.

Inspired by nature, I have been painting Australian wilderness for thirty years now.  I have been fortunate enough to make a living from doing something I love.  Over the past thirty years, I have travelled Australia widely for my paintings, and now, the only places available for me to paint are those that have been fought for and protected by dedicated organisations such as The Wilderness Society.  So much of our land has already been cleared for agriculture and logging.  Rivers have been dammed and valleys flooded, native animals endangered or pushed to the brink of extinction. 

I feel blessed because I was born early enough to see abundant wildlife, many of which are now threatened or endangered.  I have seen forests before they were destroyed.  I am lucky enough to have never known real hardship.  So, I feel I have a responsibility to future generations who may not have such a privileged lifestyle.  The least I can do - if not leave this planet in a better state than before- is leave some positive footprints for future generations to follow.

“I believe we should all live our truth and one of my ways of doing this is supporting organisations like The Wilderness Society who have achieved so much in the fight to protect wilderness places that we often take for granted.”

Once I thought The Wilderness Society was mainly interested in Tasmania, but after the Forever Wild event in the Blue Mountains last year, I realised it is a national organisation fighting for many different environments in every state.  This made me feel more involved and inspired.  I donate regularly to The Wilderness Society and I have now left a bequest because of my close contact with many of Australia’s magnificent wild places, and I have become aware of the desperate need to protect them.  This is my way of thanking nature for inspiring my art and the blessed life I have led because of it.

I have huge respect for the organisation and I hope my bequest will carry my support well into the future.

Alexandra Seddon

“My life is conservation, community and education.  I marvel at the fragility of the exquisite world of animals and plants.  But I also marvel at it’s strength.  The Plague of greedy humans which is consuming wild places horrifies me.  The seemingly general view that humans are more valuable than any other species also appauls me.

All the Wilderness Society people I have met are real people who live their beliefs in everything they do.  They are inspired people who go to the source of the greed and try to alter the beginnings of it, not just the effects.  They do not give up.  Their work is far reaching and inspiring. I want to support it.”