Long serving member of the Frankston Beach Association, Kathleen Hassell has received the Order of Australia Medal in the 2017 Queens Birthday Honours List for services to Conservation and the Environment.
Nearing her 90th year and still working tirelessly for the environment, Kathleen Hassell is best described as a “Lioness of the Environment”.
Kathleen has devoted a lifetime to volunteering for the communities in which she has lived to save the environment including motivating and involving others. Kathleen joined with other early members of FBA embracing the knowledge she had attained on coastal vegetation and indigenous plants and identifying weeds and plants that were destructive to the area while gathering a network of like-minded people around her.
Working with the FBA Kathleen has overseen the planting of tens of thousands of indigenous plants since 1995 and secured Government grants of approximately $200,000. Kathleen’s work has greatly contributed to the magnificent restoration of a very special beach. Kathleen formed a relationship with the local indigenous community, the local Historical Society and other Friends of the Environment groups. Kathleen has prepared and presented many protest documents to protect the Frankston beach foreshore and Port Phillip Bay. She is highly respected in the local community and is considered a community treasure.
Her work has been acknowledged by receiving the following awards:
- Outstanding Individual Achievement Award (Victorian Coastal Awards for Excellence) 2013
- Dame Phyllis Frost Award(Keep Australia Beautiful Awards) 2011
- Frankston City’s Citizen of the Year 2000
- Frankston City’s Environmental Pioneers Award 2000
Kathleen’s work continues to this day through active involvement in the Frankston Beach Association including providing morning teas for volunteers, by writing submissions (including grant applications) and through her role in mentoring others. Kathleen epitomizes a true community conscience and care for the land she lives on and has always worked to leave our environment in the best state she can for future generations.
Congratulations and thank you Kathleen!
You can find out more about Kathleen’s latest award here.