Our bequest supporters

A gift to the future

Mike and Eva Palmer see the loss of wild habitat as one of the single biggest threats to wildlife on Earth. So they decided to do something about it. Their legacy will help to safeguard native species for many generations to come.

The 735 hectare parcel of land that Mike is referring to sits between the Fitzgerald River National Park and the Lake Magenta Nature Reserve on Noongar country in south-west Western Australia.

It’s a little oasis of bush,” says Mike Palmer of his new bush block, purchased late last year. “It’s pristine … it looks terrific. It’s got big banksias and substantial trees. I’m told it has probably been unburnt for at least a hundred years.

Home to soaring Carnaby’s Cockatoos, whistling Western Whipbirds, wallabies, echidnas and many other species, it’s a vital refuge in the midst of a largely agricultural landscape.

“Every bit of bush is useful, but this block is particularly useful,” says Mike.

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Anne and Frederick Bondin's gift

Bequest supporters Frederick and Anne Bondin.

We first heard about Bush Heritage Australia during a fundraising campaign to purchase a property for the Gondwana Link project in south-west Western Australia.

As keen birdwatchers and wildflower enthusiasts, we liked the concept of helping protect Australia's biodiversity through the acquisition of land and started to support the organisation.

Over the years we've met some of the hard-working people who help protect the bush and felt inspired by what they do.

We've always had a great love for nature and would like to see it cared for, even when we're no longer around to enjoy it ourselves.

Of course, we hope to see Gondwana Link completed in our lifetime, but if we can't, at least we know this important project can continue with the help of our bequest.

John Weightman's legacy

Supporter John Weightman has left a lasting legacy.

John’s first experience of the natural environment was with his father in the Adelaide Hills. Later his work took him to the Flinders Ranges and up north into central Australia. The beauty of the landscape impressed itself on him. He photographed magnificent desert trees and colourful carpets of wildflowers after rain. He went on to establish several home gardens and grew a wide variety of native plants.

John believed our natural heritage should be preserved for future generations and for its intrinsic value. He admired Bob Brown’s passionate commitment to conservation and saw Bush Heritage as an opportunity to help keep important ecological areas safe from destructive forces.

The family knew of Dad’s support for Bush Heritage and we share his love for our environment. We are proud of Dad’s bequest and feel that Bush Heritage properties are part of his legacy, and that he's in good company.

– Meredith Geyer, John Weightman’s daughter

Annie and Ian Mayo's gift

Supporters Ian and Annie Mayo.

We became interested in Bush Heritage in the mid 1990s, a time when we were disturbed at the amount of land clearing taking place across Australia.

We thought it was a brilliant idea that Bush Heritage gave people like us the chance to do something about it and buy land for conservation.

Lately we’ve become birdwatchers, which further heightened our awareness and appreciation of the bush. Bush Heritage’s work is even more important since the decline of bird numbers is often directly related to loss of habitat. That’s why we decided to leave a bequest.

We know that our money will go towards conserving habitat – that means a better future for the trees, marsupials and birds we love so much, and for future generations as well.

Gay Bell

Gay Bell had no idea what her bequest to Bush Heritage would achieve when she made her Will some years ago.

Today we remember her as someone who played a key role in the protection of the magnificent Cravens Peak Reserve in far-western Queensland.

Her generosity and foresight has helped safeguard the habitats of some of Australia’s most threatened desert animals. She has given life and a bright future to hundreds of animals and plants, and her gift will go on giving every day. As Ken Bell, Gay's husband says:

"I was both excited and comforted on learning that Gay’s bequest had assisted in the purchase of an area in Queensland."

"Together, we made many outback trips throughout Australia and were continually impressed by the natural beauty of the countryside. Gay in particular became keen to help preserve the plants and wildlife. With my encouragement she arranged the bequest to Bush Heritage and now I look forward to visiting Cravens Peak and anticipate saying, in Gay’s oft-used words – 'just beautiful'."

Cathie Plowman and David Butler

Cathie Plowman and David Butler. Photo by Arthur Clarke.

'I’m not really all that old, yet I’ve seen the bush change a lot in my life. As a child I remember the areas around the Royal National Park in NSW and my mother talking about how much they had changed since she was a girl.

As I grew older our own holiday haunts, with their bush thickets and Xanthorroea, were gradually replaced with houses. Narrow bush tracks became major roads.

And not just my childhood places have changed. In Tasmania glacial lakes I camped beside 20 years ago now lie beneath hydro-electric impoundments. Places of former quiet solitude in National Parks are now bursting with visitors and large car parks. The bush is slowly but constantly disappearing.

I hope that the children of tomorrow will have opportunities to enjoy the wonders of the Australian bush. That’s why my husband David and I are supporting Bush Heritage through a gift in our Wills.’

Robert and Eve Scopes

Robert and Eve Scopes

‘We live beside a beautiful creek with Platypus and turtles, and are adding to the rainforest we've inherited. So far we've spotted nearly 70 bird species and a number of mammals – not to mention the cheeky antechinus that nested in the piano!

Since retiring we’ve revelled in various voluntary conservation tasks. Our local Landcare group does a great job.

One of our greatest pleasures has been to see our granddaughter’s interest in the natural environment. We hope that the magnificent diversity we have enjoyed in our travels throughout Australia will still be available to her and future generations.

A bequest to Bush Heritage contributes to the possibility of action not just on a local, but on a national scale. We are glad to be part of it.’