Article from a collection of newspaper cuttings from October 1968 to July 1971Article about Ken Pound, ornithologist and Phillip Island Conservation Society secretary, defends the Penguin Reserve management. penguin reserve, phillip island, mr ken pound, phillip island conservation society, mr bert west

With the establishment of the large heavy industrial zone at Hastings in the late 1960s, which included the BP oil refinery using the Port of Hastings at the north-western arm of Western Port, a number of environmental problems predicted by both scientists and conservationists arose. The main shipping channel on the western arm of Western Port was dredged, causing suspended particles affecting seagrass beds. With inadequate regulation around discharge of bilge water within the bay, and oil spillage, oil pollution affecting both seabirds and coastal areas was not uncommon. This report of 40 penguins actually known to have been killed by an oil spill event was typical of reports at the time. The 2 men quoted – Vernon Johnson and Ken Pound – were well known conservationists. Vernon and his wife Nora owned the Kingston Gardens picnic and zoo business where they cared for many injured wildlife. Ken was a Phillip Island counsellor for a few years, and instrumental in the establishment of the Phillip Island conservation Society. He also contributed various documents and newspaper cuttings to this archive.This article is significant for being a record of an exact number of penguins found dead from oil spill pollution in Western Port. Also as a record of conservationists in the early years of community and environment movements both locally and in Australia. The article further gives evidence of linking tourism with wildlife.Photocopy of newspaper cutting. Black print with very dark black and white photo of Fairy (Little) Penguin. Poor reproduction due to older photocopy machine.(indecipherable) - late/1960s.little penguins, fairy penguins, eudyptula minor, penguin behaviour, phillip island tourist attractions, phillip island conservation society, oil spills, bp refinery hastings, port of hastings, western port, marine pollution, oil tankers, vernon johnson, ken pound, phillip island promotion association

Short tailed shearwaters and Little Penguins, nesting in burrows on the coast during the warmer months of the year, are extremely vulnerable to fires. Phillip Island had a history of fires on foreshores – either deliberately or accidentally lit. This article describes 2 accidentally lit fires on consecutive days at the Phillip Island Penguin Parade rookeries during the height of the breeding and tourist season in January 1967. The vital importance of volunteers such as the country Fire authority members and the local surfing community, is alluded to in this article by well-known naturalist and author from the time, Graham Pizzey. The Victorian government’s chief secretary, Arthur Rylah, reported here seeking an investigation into the fires at what he terms: “one of the best conservation projects we have done”, was a prominent Victorian politician for many years.This article is significant for demonstrating a growing awareness of the vulnerability of ground nesting birds, of the importance in volunteers such as members of the local country Fire authority and Phillip Island surfing community partnering with wildlife management bodies to protect ground nesting birds, in particular the Penguin and short tailed shearwater rookeries at the Phillip Island Penguin Parade and other parts of Phillip Island. The article also reflects the growing awareness by the Victorian government of the importance of the Phillip Island Penguin Parade to the Victorian tourism economy. Written by naturalist Graham Pizzey, wrote regularly for the Melbourne Herald, the article is another example of how this journalist frequently emphasised Phillip Island’s flora and fauna in his newspaper column.Photocopy made in 1980s of newspaper cutting. Black print and black and white images of original photograph of author Graham Pizzey within the article.5/1/67little penguins, fairy penguins, eudyptula minor, phillip island penguin parade, graham pizzey, penguin rookery, penguin behaviour, phillip island tourist attractions, short tailed shearwaters, phillip island conservation society, arthur rylah, victorian government, phillip island cfa, phillip island surfers, fires on foreshores

This letter to the editor of the Wonthaggi Express newspaper was written by “ONLOOKER (name and address/supplied)” in 1969 at a time when the Phillip Island Penguin Parade was under the management of the Phillip Island Shire Council. There was very limited parking at the Penguin Parade at that stage, and visitor numbers on any night were not capped. It was not uncommon for many cars to be parked along the main road leading to the Penguin Parade. This was a cause of a great deal of concern as visitors to the Parade walked back to their cars in the dark along the main road after the Parade finished some hours after sunset. At that time there was no designated Phillip Island newspaper, with the Wonthaggi Express also covering some news from Phillip Island.The letter articulates the concern felt by many local residents and visitors to the Penguin Parade with regard to the lack of parking and other infrastructure for tourism on Phillip Island, and the Phillip Island Penguin Parade in particular. Having been published in the Wonthaggi local newspaper of the time, the Wonthaggi Express, also indicates that either there was no local newspaper being published on Phillip Island, or that the author submitted to both local newspapers in order to get their message across.Single column letter to the editor in 3 short paragraphs. Black ink on white paper. Photocopy of original article. 10-4-69 EX (referring to 10th April 1969, Wonthaggi Express newspaper)phillip island penguin parade, letter to the editor, parking problems, wonthaggi express newspaper, phillip island conservation society historical archive

The Album was compiled by Nancy McHaffie late 1990's, with the assistance of Edith Jeffery's, with her book "Garden of Memories" and extensive knowledge of Phillip Island. The Cemetery lies back from the road and is surrounded by Manna Gums, rare Peppermint Gums, Blackwoods and other native trees. In all 25 acres of land were set aside as Crown Land in the land settlement of 1868. There are 6.2 acres of wetlands near the cemetery entrance.Jack Robinson Oswin: Many of the trees now flourishing in the cemetery grounds were planted by Jack Oswin and his wife Coral. Born in Mildura in 1909, his association with Phillip Island started when he attended the Cowes Primary School during the war years. He was foundation member of the Phillip Island Conservation Society and played a key role in the purchases of the area of land known as Conservation Hill. In the early 1980s he was awarded the British Empire Medal in recognition for his services to conservation. Jack died on December 4th 1990, aged 81 years.phillip island cemetery, jack robinson oswin, coral oswin, nancy mchaffie, edith jeffery

Edward, a female koala, was owned by Florence Oswin Roberts who rescued the koala from a bush fire. She was a local identity involved in koala conservation in the early 20th century.Wooden and glass display case containing custom mounted koala on a tree branch.Engraved on a plaque - Edward 1936 - 1944. Donated by Mrs Oswin Roberts. The only person to legally own a koala. Presented to the Phillip Island Historical society by Vernon and Edna Thompson of ' Carisbrooke' Cowes. By courtesy of the Fisheries and Wildlife division.florence oswin roberts, oswin roberts reserve, phillip island, cowes, edward, koala

A monthly community newsletter to promote local groups. Produced by Anne Davie. There were no local newspapers at this time.HistoricalRed hard cover, bound copy of foolscap sized typed newsletters.newsletters, anne davie, sporting clubs, schools, churches, warley hospital, progresss association, conservation society, young farmers, water supply, golf club, rhyll, phillip island film society, rotary club, moonya, combined pensioners, lions club, churchill island, woolamai surf lifesaving club, youth club, silverleaves conservation association, phillip island league, cowes cwa, girl guides, field and game association, historical society, yacht club, football, cricket, tennis, bowls, croquet, red cross, shire of phillip island

Due to increased numbers of tourists in the post-World War Two era, and the increased popularity of the Penguin Parade, without sufficient public education or protection of the penguin habitat, many Little Penguins perished during the 1960s. Trampling, unsupervised interference with the birds, unrestricted access to their dune habitat, plus predation by foxes, cats and dogs, led to most of the rookeries outside of the Summerland patrolled areas - such as on the west and north Phillip Island coasts, and parts of the south coast - being obliterated by the mid 1970s.this article is highly significant as it was published shortly before the establishment of the Phillip Island Conservation Society Inc in 1968, which commenced agitation to make management of Crown Land by Phillip Island Shire Council and government bodies accountable for protection of wildlife habitat on Phillip Island.photocopy of newspaper cutting. Black print on white paper. 3--1-64phillip island, penguin parade, little penguin, habitat destruction, penguin parade committee, shell house,