north east regional extra | August 7 - 13, 2019
nemedia.com.au
1.
August 7 - 13, 2019
By KYLIE WILSON SOME of ecologist Richard Loyn’s earliest memories from his childhood in suburban Cardiff, Wales, involve him looking to the sky and seeing or hearing flocks of migrating birds from faraway places such as Iceland. “My parents always encouraged me,” he said of his early interest in the natural world. “We always had books on birds, mammals and plants at home.” As a boy Richard could often be found in the backyard of the family home, looking out for what birds or other animals he could see, or walking in the nearby woods and hills. “I found it fascinating to see how much bigger and wider a world there was out there,” he said. “I’ve always seen birds as a window to the wider world.” Richard has lived with wife Debbie Tully near Beechworth, in a property overlooking the Murmungee Basin, for around five years. He has worked on a number of ecological projects over the years, but now runs his own business, Eco Insights, that has seen him work on projects both in Australia and overseas. He arrived in Australia at age 21 in the 1970s, and spent many years working at the Victorian Government’s Arthur Rylah Institute in Heidelberg, where some of his most rewarding projects have involved issues such as the management of wetlands, forests, fire, threatened species, duck hunting and more.
Ŷ
exploring ecology ◆ DEDICATED: Ecologist Richard Loyn has been interested in the natural world since his boyhood in Wales. PHOTO: Kylie Wilson
Continued page 6
GARDEN HINTS
PET CARE
WINE TALK
YOUR HEALTH
TECH & SCIENCE
with HELEN
with EBONY
with ANITA
with SOPHIE & BELINDA
with CHRIS
3.49
Low ongoing variable comparison rate.*
Home loans made simple and easy - as they should be. Visit WAWCU.com.au/backtobasics or call 1300 368 555 to make the switch.
Terms & Conditions apply. Standard lending criteria, fees, charges, terms and conditions apply. WAW may vary or withdraw this offer at any time without notice. *WARNING: The comparison rate is only true for the example given and may not include all fees and charges. Different terms, fees or other loan amounts may result in a different comparison rate. The comparison rate is based on a secured owner occupied principal and interest loan of $150,000 over 25 years. AFSL and Australian Credit Licence 247298. ABN 48 087 651 787.