Taronga’s Simon Duffy honoured for lifetime of wildlife conservation

Simon Duffy was just 15 when he drove 75km to get to his shift by 7.30am each day while doing work experience at Taronga Western Plains Zoo in Dubbo. After instantly “falling in love with the world’s wildlife”, he has been driven by a fierce determination to protect them ever since.

Taronga Conservation Society Australia’s director of wildlife conservation science Simon Duffy was made a Member of the Order of Australia (AM).

SIMON DUFFY was just 15 when he drove 75km to get to his shift by 7.30am each day while doing work experience at Taronga Western Plains Zoo in Dubbo.

After instantly “falling in love with the world’s wildlife”, he has been driven by a fierce determination to protect them ever since.

Now the director of wildlife conservation science at the Taronga Conservation Society Australia (TCSA), Mr Duffy has come a long way since the early days when he was told he would be “lucky to get a job at the zoo”.

On Saturday Mr Duffy, of Rozelle, was made a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in the Australia Day 2019 Honour’s List for his “significant service to wildlife conservation, and to the rehabilitation of primates in Africa”.

“Wildlife inspires me but equally so do people,” he said.

“I have been fortunate to meet some extremely inspiring people in my career like Jane Goodall, Nelson Mandela and David Attenborough but also many others who have a lower profile but have equally devoted their lives to saving wildlife and our planet.”

Mr Duffy has devoted his life to protecting the world’s wildlife.

He recalls Goodall writing him a personal note “encouraging me to continue to hear my heart” and work towards a better future.

Since then he has worked in Chimpanzee sanctuaries in Uganda, Republic of Congo and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

“I work with some amazing chimpanzees that were orphaned by the illegal pet and bush meat trade and people that have dedicating their lives to wildlife, despite the horrific troubles and daily challenges they have to face in their homes.

“These experiences are life changing. The stories of struggle, hope and commitment are mind blowing.”

Twenty two years after meeting Goodall he is now the Chair of the Jane Goodall Institute Australia Board.

Some of his career highlights have been starting Taronga’s Roar & Snore sleepover program, leading the conservation team when the zoo bred and released the 50,000th animal into the wild and helping to transform Taronga from a traditional zoo to a “zoo based conservation organisation”.

Mr Duffy is the Chair of the Jane Goodall Institute Australia Board.

This year will be about “Creators of Hope” by inspiring people to help address the growing conflict between humans and wildlife.

“A zoo visit today is about being inspired by some of the world’s wildlife while also discovering ways you individually can live more sustainably and conserve wildlife,” he said.

An example is purchasing products that contain certified sustainable palm oil to prevent further destruction of primate habit.

“Most primates are in danger and the most significant threats are human caused,” Mr Duffy said.

“We live in an age of rapid and unprecedented planetary change called the Anthropocene.

“It’s the first time in the Earth’s history that a single species – humans – has had such a powerful impact on the planet.”

Lyn Williams, of Dulwich Hill, was made an AM for her work with the Gondwana Choirs and Sydney Children’s Choir.

According to the 2018 Living Planet Report wildlife populations have declined by 60 per cent in just over 40 years.

“In saying this, there is hope. There has to be. We are fortunate that we are the generation that has a clear understanding of the value of nature and our impact on it and we may be the last generation that can take action to reverse the trend; a decisive moment in our history.”

Taronga will launch its education alliance this year with the University of Sydney to jointly deliver a bachelor’s degree in conservation science and a masters in conservation education.

“This is a first for any zoo in Australia and I am so excited to be able to see the first students arrive in the Taronga Institute in February this year.”

Inner West heroes honoured

The hard work and achievements of inner west residents have been recognised with Australia Day honours.

Here is a list of those who have gone above and beyond in serving their professions and communities.

The honourable Margaret Ackary Stone, of Glebe, was one of just 71 people to be appointed an Officer of the Order (A0) for her distinguished service to public administration, particularly to national security, to the judiciary, and to legal education.

Ms Stone has been the Inspector General of Intelligence and Security since 2015 and was a Federal Court of Australia Judge from 2000 to 2012.

Members of the Order (AM):

Professor Carol Lyn Armour, of Glebe, for her significant service to medical education, and to asthma management.

Dr Livingston Armytage, of Rozelle, for her significant service to civil justice, nationally and internationally.

Dr Jeanell Carrigan, of Strathfield South, for her significant service to music education, particularly piano, and to the performing arts

Mr Simon John Duffy, Rozelle, for his significant service to wildlife conservation, and to the rehabilitation of primates in Africa.

Ms Julie Elizabeth McCrossin, Annandale, for significant service to the community, particularly through LGBTIQ advocacy roles, and to the broadcast media.

Ms Lyn Adrienne Williams OAM, of Dulwich Hill, for her significant service to the Indigenous community, and to youth, through choral music initiatives.

Ms Williams is the founder and artistic director of Gondwana Choirs and the Sydney Children’s Choir.

“The unique sound of young people singing with a high level of artistry made me start the Gondwana choirsin 1989,” she said.

“I started the Gondwana Indigenous children’s choir because I knew that there were so many talented potential members ready to share their songs and stories.”

Police Medal:

Detective Superintendent Darren Murray Bennett. The former Newtown LAC Commander has more recently been involved in counter terrorism policing as Commander of the Terrorism Investigation Unit.

Superintendent David Andrew Johnson

The Burwood Police Area Commander started his 33-year carer at Petersham Police Station and has worked in the national intelligence arena as well as working closely with the FBI and DEA.

During his career he has been seconded to numerous Task Force investigations including Task Force Air (Ivan Milat), Task Force Colo (paedophile syndicates) and the investigation review into the murder of Sydney underworld figure Angelo Duros.

Public Service Medal

Graham Bradshaw, of Breakfast Point, for his outstanding public service to transport and community services in NSW.

As the Director of Network Standards and Services at Transport for NSW, Mr Bradshaw has been the driving force behind two innovative Transport for NSW programs, both of which have delivered financial value and improvements to the customer experience, while also helping improve outcomes for some of NSW’s most vulnerable community members.