Tassie conservationist Priscilla Park, 92, remembered as ‘voice for the birds’

A Tasmanian conservationist described as being a “voice for the birds” has been remembered as a “dynamo” after she passed away on the weekend.

A Tasmanian conservationist described as being a “voice for the birds” has been remembered as a “dynamo” after she passed away on the weekend.

Priscilla Park, 92, died on Sunday, a few weeks’ shy of her 93rd birthday.

Close friend and BirdLife Tasmania convenor Eric Woehler said Ms Park was a “dynamo” and a “role model for women in science”.

Ornithologist Priscilla Park in 2006. Picture: Sam Rosewarne

The 92-year-old was an ornithologist, otherwise known as a person who studies or is an expert on birds, Dr Woehler said.

“Her expertise was such that her knowledge and opinion couldn’t be excluded or ignored.”

Dr Woehler said Ms Park, who had been his mentor for forty years, was “gentle” in nature but fiercely dedicated to the conservation of birds.

“When she decided that something wasn’t right, she just worked on it until she came to … the outcome that she believed was the right outcome,” he said.

“The world needs more people like Priscilla.”

Priscilla Park discussing issues affecting bird life with marine biologist Karen Parsons. Picture: Leigh Winburn

Ms Park was born in South Africa in 1929 but moved to Tasmania in 1960 after living in England.

She instantly fell in love with the state’s birds, particularly shorebirds, and became a founding member of the Bird Observers’ Association of Tasmania, now BirdLife Tasmania, in 1971.

Fellow birdwatcher Mark Holdsworth said Ms Park was a “stalwart of BirdLife Tasmania” and would be sorely missed by many.

“She was a mentor to me in my early birding years and I always enjoyed her company during meetings and the simple pleasures of birdwatching over the years,” Mr Holdsworth said.

According to BirdLife Australia’s website, Ms Park has made a “significant contribution” to the improved conservation status of Tasmanian birds and was considered an authority on them and their habitats by state and local governments.

Oystercatchers, a type of shorebird, searching the shallow water of Ralphs Bay for food. Picture: Sam Rosewarne

For more than four decades, Ms Park conducted almost annual summer and winter shorebird surveys in the Derwent and South-East region.

Ms Park was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia in 2007 for service to the environment and was inducted onto the Tasmanian Honour Roll of Women in 2009.

She is survived by her husband George and daughters Julie and Wendy.