It was only hours after Wednesday’s paper went to print, with a big front page honouring OAM recipient Graeme Budd when we were contacted about a former resident who also made it onto the Queen’s Birthday Honours list.
Louise Saunders, who lives in Brisbane, was honoured for service to wildlife conservation, and to the visual arts.
Louise grew up in Benalla and attended Benalla East Primary and Benalla High before her career opened doors across Australia.
Life would take her in two very different directions — both of which would eventually lead to her nomination for an OAM.
Louise would begin her working life in the arts — a path that would eventually lead to an opportunity to illustrate a book about flying foxes.
‘‘I did the illustration for Dr Les Hall and in that I read the conservation message and I just knew I had to do something,’’ Louise said.
‘‘So that’s why I did the hard slog with the flying fox for so many years.’’
The ‘‘hard slog’’ she refers to is her work to protect the species of bat, which is seen by many as a pest.
‘‘When an animal becomes political you have a much harder job — and the flying fox did,’’ Louise said.
‘‘I also got to go to Borneo with Dr Hall to illustrate bats for a guide that was being put together.
‘‘So there were a couple of occasions where my conservation work with bats and my art did actually coincide.
‘‘Later I became artist in residence at Kurang Cove Island Resort on South Stradbroke Island near the Gold Coast.
‘‘I was there for four and a half years and it was a pretty amazing job.’’
Louise said the doors that were open to her throughout her career were in no small part because of her upbringing in Benalla.
‘‘I guess I wouldn’t be the nature person I am today without my incredible family and my early years in Benalla,’’ Louise said.
‘‘I remember growing up as a kid and going on many wildflower walks and nature rambles with my mum, sisters and grandmother — I guess that all paid off.’’
Louise described the honour as overwhelming and humbling.
‘‘I am extremely grateful. There are so many worthy people out there,’’ Louise said.
‘‘I see the award as a nice reward for lots of hours and endless grief in trying to do a job to protect our environment and our special wildlife.’’
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