2009 Lifetime of Conservation Awardee: Alex Colley

Colley, who has recently turned 100, has been working intensively on conservation issues since the 1960s.

Alex Colley OAM has been awarded the Australian Geographic Society Lifetime of Conservation Award for 2009. Colley who has recently turned 100, has been working intensively on conservation issues since the 1960s.

Alex, a keen bushwalker since the age of four, joined the Sydney Bush Walkers Club in the late 1930s. Together with Myles Dunphy, Alex has played an integral part in bringing the issues of preserving Australia’s wilderness to the fore.

In 1963 Alex became the Secretary of the Turramurra branch of the Liberal Party, at a time when the Colong Caves in the southern Blue Mountains were being threatened with mining by a cement company. Alex managed to get a unanimous vote in favour of saving the Colong Caves.

Alex has always been passionate about the conservation of Australia’s natural environment but it wasn’t until his retirement at the age of 65 that he was able to become involved full-time.

Alex credits his success in conservation to getting in early, saying it’s important to plant the passion for protecting natural areas in people’s minds before the logging trucks arrive. “Once you’ve chained yourself to the tree, it’s already too late,” he says.

In 1984 he was awarded the Order of Australia Medal. “Wilderness is the last substantial remnant of the natural environment. If we don’t save it now we never will,” he stated.  

Despite his years, Alex’s passion for conservation is as strong as ever. It’s this unwavering fighting spirit that has seen him win the Australian Geographic Society 2009 Lifetime of Conservation Award.

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The AG Awards