How else could she (Elsa, the lion) know that it needed all the strength of my love for her to leave now and give her back to nature – to let her learn to live alone until she might find her pride – her real pride?
ADAMSON, JOY - The Second Release
Wildlife
ANON, ANON
A Platypus is a duck designed by a committee.
ANON, ANON
ARNOLD, SUE
Who will mourn the passing of our magnificent kangaroos? Who will remember how the bush once danced in rhythm with the thumping, jumping kangaroos who flew over fences – their great tails drumming on the earth? Who will remember the big red male kangaroo lying in the desert sun, his coat almost indistinguishable from the red earth from which he came?
ARNOLD, SUE
ARNOLD, SUE
What will happen to the spirit of this ancient dreaming land without the great mobs of kangaroos bounding across the song lines, energizing the land? Will the sunset and dawn mourn the passing of the creatures who danced in their light?
ARNOLD, SUE
ARNOLD, SUE
There was no magic encounter for me with a whale in the ocean; no being zapped by a whale as I snorkelled in their world. Nothing visible or capable of explanation. In fact, I’d never seen a whale. When I first witnessed their terrible death agony, I couldn’t get the picture of a whale being harpooned out of my mind. It was a hideous mind-blowing sight. That day I recognised a purpose on the journey of my life.
ARNOLD, SUE
CARROLL, PETER
I woke to heavy rain. Nothing particularly unusual about that apart from being in the desert, and it had been a 20-year dream to see Uluru with water pouring down her flanks. Arriving at Mutitjulu Waterhole carpark, I could see the water spider-webbing down and across the deep red rock. I stood in water shin deep beside the track, in awe of the magic I was witnessing… Birds were performing their morning chorus as usual but this time they were backed by a rhythm section of thousands of frogs. As I moved closer the ‘SHHHHHHHHHHSHHHHHH’ sound from the waterfalls and waterslides flowing over the rock chimed in, creating an orchestra and scene to touch anyone.
CARROLL, PETER
CROPP, ADAM
No matter how far I have traversed around this earth, I have yet to find another location that rivals Australia. Nowhere else on earth can you find such spectacular landscapes, such unique and fascinating animals, and such warm friendly people. This is why I will always call Australia home.
CROPP, ADAM
CUNDALL, PETER
Stand in despair anywhere old-growth forest has been clear-felled. All life has been replaced by blackened, poisoned desolation. Animals and birds have either fled or been killed, and baits are laid waiting for those that should return. And in these tortured places, the devastation is brutal and total. And this is what greed looks like.
CUNDALL, PETER
DOUGLAS, MALCOLM
This is what I love about the Kimberley… wild gorges, fresh water and there’s always a chance of a barra taking your lure.
DOUGLAS, MALCOLM
FLANNERY, TIM – at his Australian of the Year Presentation 2007
We can only call ourselves Australian if we have a long-term future in this country and that means to live sustainably.
FLANNERY, TIM - at his Australian of the Year Presentation 2007