John Amor - Local Hero Gone Suddenly

The South West of Victoria has lost one of it's great heroes. John Amor, died last Saturday 16th January, after a short battle with thyroid cancer. John was among many other things, the local Coastcare Coast/Action Facilitator for the South West.

John brought an immense passion to all that he did, for the environment and for people. John pioneered the Maremma Dogs Project on Middle Island; was an active member of the Tareer Festival Committee and cared immensely about the welfare of Aboriginal people; he was also involved in the South West Volunteering Initiative, where he played a key role in facilitating volunteer programs in the South West.

For those of us who know John, it's a shock to see him gone so quick. I remember talking to John in November last year, as he mc'd the closing celebration of the South West Volunteering Initiative. He was full of enthusiasm for the achievements of the people and the program. Shortly before then I met with John to discuss a potential Coastcare project and as always, he was so supportive. He spoke passionately about saving the habitat of the Rufous Bristlebird near the Doug Fenwick Reserve in Narringal and I laughed as he told me the story of going fisty cuffs with a couple of law breakers who's cattle he had impounded.

John was above all a visionary. He saw the world as it could be and did what he felt he needed to do to make things happen. His enthusiasm for making things better was contagious. John leaves behind his wife Di, and his children Miah, Cherie, Zeb, Tyson and Zoe. He will be remembered as one of the great local hero's, who has left behind a legacy that will inspire people for years to come.

Thank you John for all that you were. May you have peace and freedom from your suffering.

Richard Hudson.

Rubbish for The South West/Call for Green Army

Yesterday The Warrnambool Standard published an article on rubbnish being dumped at Levi's Point in Warrnambool. Don McTaggart - Basalt to Bay Landcare Network committee member and Warrnambool Coastcare Landcare Group Leader had some revealing comments to make about the extent of dumping and the impact on native wildlife. In the past Don has also organised clean up the Merri days - which has seen everything from bicycles, shopping trolleys and cars removed from the river. Despite the best efforts of Landcare in the region, it seems that there will always be people who see the natural world as as their own private rubbish dump.

http://www.standard.net.au/news/local/news/general/this-is-not-a-rubbish-dump/1729110.aspx

On another issue, Tony Abbott has suggested the creation of a 15,ooo strong Green Army to remove weeds and revegetate the landscape : http://www.abc.net.au/rural/news/content/201001/s2795954.htm . This type of consciption based mandatory environmental service for young people, is a great idea for taking Landcare back to the grass roots and giving responsibility back to ordinary people.

The idea connects well with the Elixir Project - an environmental volunteerism project that I hope will grow legs this year and begin connecting people in community based welfare agencies to onground environmental projects. For further information on the project see here : http://swevi.wordpress.com/ .