Category: Environment
Recipient: Ted Fleming
Nominated By: Southern ACT Catchment Group Inc
Ted was born in Melbourne. After WWII he studied medicine and became a GP in country Victoria. Ted travelled to England for further study and returned to Australia as a General Surgeon. He then made his way to Canberra in 1965 where he practised general surgery for the next 25 years.
For many years Ted has been a long-distance bush walker. This hobby has contributed to his love and appreciation of the Australian bush.
Most mornings you will see Ted Fleming in the gullies or on the ridgelines of his favourite ACT nature reserve. Many an early morning walker would be greatly surprised to see this sprightly 83 year old, rolling up disused fence wire (a danger to wildlife and the public) or cutting out three metre high hawthorn plants even as the sun rises. Ted has recorded over 1500 hours in his voluntary Park Carer capacity and may have worked another 500 hours before he started filling out his Government supplied volunteer worksheets.
After seeking advice from another park care volunteer Ted approached Environment ACT (now Parks and Conservation and Lands) who were able to assist Ted with herbicide and some tools to assist him in his work and provide some support in his endeavour.
Ted is also a trapper of the pest bird, the Indian Myna, and works with the Canberra Indian Myna Action Group Inc, as well as, an active Southern ACT Catchment Group member and is currently serving as its Treasurer.
Amazingly, Ted has also clocked up over 1000 hours at the Australian War Memorial and is involved with its on-line gallery.
Without the Ted Flemings of this world, quietly working away at protecting our native biodiversity the future may be a rather bleak place.