Louise Sylvan appointed President of the Bush Heritage Australia Board

CONSUMER protection advocate Louise Sylvan has been appointed President of the Bush Heritage Australia Board, with Andrew Myer as Vice-President.

Ms Sylvan has been an active supporter of Bush Heritage Australia for more than a decade. In 1999, a property (Burrin Burrin) which was part of the estate of her late husband Richard Sylvan (environmental philosopher) was donated to Bush Heritage.  Eight years later in 2007, Louise herself donated a 55-hectare property in NSW. Today, both reserves form part of the 31 properties owned and managed by Bush Heritage for conservation.

Ms Sylvan said, ‘Bush Heritage has a striking vision for long-term land conservation and protection and we are confidently building towards achieving our goal of protecting 1 per cent of Australia by 2025.' 

‘The unique plant and animal heritage that so defines this country deserves the best in preservation and management expertise that Bush Heritage can provide.' 

Louise is joined by Andrew Myer as Vice-President. Among many achievements, Andrew is most recognised as a Trustee of The Sidney Myer Fund. For five years he also held the position of Director and Co-Vice-President of The Myer Foundation.

The Toyne legacy

Phillip Toyne retires after completing a nine-year term as Bush Heritage President.

Ms Sylvan said, ‘Phillip has led extraordinary organisational growth and Bush Heritage now rightly takes its place as one of the leading conservation organisations in the country.'

When Phillip joined the Board, there were 12 reserves, totalling 61 786 hectares. Bush Heritage now owns 31 reserves, covering 946 000 hectares, with major management interests in many other conservation areas and initiatives. This huge growth is also reflected in increased revenue: income was $966 000 in 2001 and now there is an annual operating budget requiring income of around $12 million dollars per annum.

Phillip has actively encouraged partnerships with other landowners, which has led to our enormously important partnerships program, which is particularly targeting cooperative activity with Indigenous landowners and pastoral companies. Between them these groups hold title to vast areas of Australia, much of it in key conservation target areas, and we are excited about the future prospects for massively expanding our effort supporting their environment efforts.