Dr Eddy Wajon has been an invaluable member of our society since 1996 and his true commitment to wildflowers is a priceless commodity we all acknowledge and appreciate. Eddy served on the Murdoch Branch Committee between 2011 – 2015 as President and Vice-president. Between 2011 and 2014 he was also the State President of the Wildflower Society. Eddy is a very active advocate for everything what concerns knowing, growing, protecting and promoting the value and beauty of our WA bushlands.
Knowing. Eddy’s knowledge of everything natural is astounding and infectious. His expertise helped greatly to initiate Perth’s Bush Plan – now known as Bush Forever, a scheme that helps tremendously in saving remnant patches of Perth’s native vegetation. His passion for photography and plants turned has into a very popular series of “Colour Guides to Spring Wildflowers of WA” books –which has sold 45,000 copies and is available in bookstores across our state.
Growing. As Convenor of the Friends of Ken Hurst Park, Eddy has attracted multiple volunteers as well as grants from the Department of Environment and Conservation (now: Department of Parks and Wildlife) that help restore native flora of this degraded remnant bushland. He has purchased two large blocks of remnant bush just for the purpose of protecting and sharing the joy of looking after it. They are located in Tenterten and Boxwood Hill in the southwest of WA. Eddy and his wife Donna featured in one of the Landline TV show enticing everyone to contribute to Gondwana Link or Gondwana-like actions.
Conserving. Eddy is very active in conservation issues. He has written multiple submissions opposing land clearing: helped save Anstey-Keane bushland from the Keane Road extension, built a powerful campaign against Roe Highway (7 & 8), campaigned to save Jandakot Airport bushland, campaigned to save the Fraser Road Grand Spider Orchid population, campaigned to save the bushland from the Fiona Stanley Hospital development – these are just a few examples of his strong engagement in lobbying work.
Promoting. Eddy is an icon of the Wildflower Society, recognizable across the state thanks to his tireless work in promoting the value of native vegetation. The wildflower walks he leads across Murdoch, Leeming, Melville, Forrestdale, Gooseberry Hill and Gosnells bushland attracts many local residents. Eddy also supervised and oversaw the launch of Murdoch Branch commemorative Book: ”Murdoch Branch – 25 years of passion” that turned out to be a great event. Recently he was commissioned to write a book about the Flora of Hyden and he will share the stories behind this adventure at our general meeting at the Murdoch Branch on 03 November 2016 at 7:30 pm at the Cockburn Wetlands Educational Centre – learn more and join us here.
