By Peter Douglas
Ferny Creek’s Donalea Patman officially received her Medal of the Order of Australia on Friday 20 October at Government House, in recognition for her services to animal welfare.
Founder of For the Love of Wildlife, Ms Patman began working with the Australian Government in 2014 to impact on the plight of Africa’s lions.
Just 18 months later, Australia became the first country in the world to ban the import of lion trophies and body parts.
Since then, France and the Netherlands have followed Australia by banning the import of lion trophies.
Mr Patman shared her outrage for not only the welfare of Africa’s lions, but also the exploitation of Australia’s youth who unknowingly participate in the canned hunting industry.
“I had approached government to act on behalf of our youth who were being duped into participating in the canned hunting industry,” Ms Patman said.
“Volunteers pay up to US$1000 a week to hand-raise what they believe to be orphaned cubs, thinking they will be re-introduced into the wild when they are old enough.
“No true conservation project would allow people to interact with cubs as they can never be released into the wild. These cubs are just one part of the cycle of breeding lions to be shot for canned hunting,” she said.
Ms Patman worked closely with her local MP, Jason Wood, to implement the ban, who she described as being shocked and appalled about canned hunting when he was made aware of the industry.
Ms Patman was one of an incredible seven generous high-achievers throughout the Yarra Ranges who were included on the Queen’s Birthday honours list 2017 on Monday 12 June, with six residing within the Dandenong Ranges.
Those included were: Denis Cunnigham (AM; Belgrave), Marilyn Rowe (OBE; Olinda), Dorothy Scott (OAM; Emerald), Geoffrey Fitzpatrick (OAM; Sassafras), Karin Orpen (OAM; Ferntree Gully), Donalea Patman (OAM; Ferny Creek) and Sandra Hills (OAM; Yering).
