PARK WATCH Article December 2025 |

Three remarkable Victorians were presented with VNPA Life Membership at our AGM

Gayle Osborne

For almost two decades, Gayle has been the heart and driving force behind Wombat Forestcare, transforming a local campaign into one of Victoria’s most significant conservation successes. Her leadership, determination and scientific curiosity have changed the future of the Wombat Forest and beyond.

Gayle helped turn years of community concern into action. Working with VNPA and allied groups, she led the push to secure national park status for the Wombat and Lerderderg forests. Her tireless effort culminated in the Victorian Government’s 2021 commitment to create the new Wombat–Lerderderg National Park, the first step in a 60,000 hectare parks package across central west Victoria.

Gayle’s impact hasn’t stopped there. She’s guided on-ground research, led surveys for threatened wildlife, and inspired hundreds of volunteers. Under her direction, Wombat Forestcare’s citizen science work uncovered new populations of Endangered Mountain Skinks, expanding scientific understanding and strengthening the case for protection.

Her advocacy has even reached the courts, leading her group to a successful Supreme Court injunction halting unlawful native forest logging in 2023. It was an extraordinary example of community determination and legal courage.

Gayle’s commitment is entirely voluntary – countless hours, no expectation of reward – and her achievements go far beyond what’s normally expected of any volunteer. Her legacy is written into Victoria’s landscape, in new parks, stronger protection, and a community empowered to defend its forest.

Wendy Radford and Stuart Fraser

This award recognises a remarkable partnership. Together, Wendy and Stuart have dedicated decades to the protection of central Victoria’s Box-Ironbark forests, especially the Wellsford Forest near Bendigo. Their work has shaped both local conservation and state-wide park outcomes.

Stuart Fraser, a founding member of Bendigo and District Environment Council (BDEC) in 1988, brought more than sixty years of ecological knowledge and field experience to the campaign. His deep understanding of forest ecology, coupled with an ability to communicate it with warmth and clarity, inspired generations of conservationists. Stuart’s leadership ended commercial logging in Wellsford  Forest and guided community advocacy that led to the listing of its ‘Big Trees’ on the National Trust Significant Trees Register.

Wendy Radford joined BDEC in 1998 and became its long-serving secretary. Her administrative skill and tireless dedication helped steer decades of submissions, meetings and campaigns – from the first Box-Ironbark parks in 2001 to the 2025 legislation expanding protected areas across the region. She helped build alliances, organise citizen-science surveys, and make sure Wellsford stayed on the political map.

Together, Wendy and Stuart exemplify what sustained community leadership can achieve. They’ve strengthened VNPA’s reach, supported VEAC investigations, and built enduring partnerships between local and state groups. Their advocacy has turned public awareness into tangible protection for nature.

Ben Gill, Nature Conservation Campaigner