By Callum Ludwig
Kevin Mason would like to acknowledge and pay his respects to the Wurunderji Elders past and present of the Kulin Nation, on whose traditional country we stand today.
Receiving an Order of Australia Medal is quite a significant achievement for anyone but some people’s dedication to their chosen field is astounding.
Devoted Healesville Sanctuary volunteer and former zookeeper Kevin Mason received an OAM for his service to conservation and the environment.
Mr Mason previously held roles at the sanctuary including Head Keeper, Special Projects Curator, and Customer Relations Manager in a career spanning 50 years from 1960 to 2010.
Visitors to the zoo may also notice the dingo’s enclosure has been named in his honour, ‘Mason’s Hut’.
The OAM recipient officially retired from the sanctuary in 2010, but it hasn’t been much of a retirement at all, as he continued to volunteer as a team leader of the archives.
Mr Mason said his role as an animal carer was about observing, listening and talking to the animals in order to understand them.
“If you gain their trust, you will receive a deeper appreciation and insight into their behaviour, habits, and requirements,” Mr Mason said.
“There is nothing more special. It is pure joy.”
Mr Mason’s conservation and community efforts have spanned for a remarkable 40 years.
Throughout that time, he was a part of conservation groups who undertook field surveys for the orange bellied parrot, leadbeater’s possum, helmeted honeyeater, superb lyrebird and powerful owl.
Mr Mason said he always felt very privileged to have been involved in conservation projects through Healesville Sanctuary and elsewhere, believing looking after native fauna and flora is paramount.
“I’ve greatly enjoyed my involvement in the rehabilitation and release of all animals,” Mr Mason said.
Contributing to several wildlife groups further highlights his dedication outside of his working career over the years, as a member of Bird Observers Club of the Yarra Valley, (now Birdlife Australia, Yarra Valley Branch) and past member of the Sherbrooke Lyrebird Survey Group.
Mr Mason also devoted his time to the endangered Helmeted Honeyeater as a Foundation Member of the Helmeted Honeyeater Recovery Team, raising 13 chicks who were part of the initial foundation breeding stock for the species recovery.
His involvement in the Healesville and Badger Creek Indigenous communities can also not be understated, having served as the contact at the sanctuary for First Nations people and assisting in indigenous cultural surveys in the sanctuary and Coranderrk bushland.
Mr Mason has held other leadership roles in community groups, including being the current president of the Badger Creek V.C. Mullett Hall Committee, a founding member of the Old Badger Creek School Building Committee and a founding member and current vice-president of the Healesville and District Historical Society.
Numerous awards have recognised his contribution to the community, and Mr Mason has also been inducted into the Zoos Victoria and Australian Society of Zoo Keeping Halls of Fame.
The OAM is yet another recognition of the passion and dedication he has given to his life’s work.
Healesville Sanctuary’s current director Ross Williamson said it’s people like Mr Mason who make the sanctuary so special for wildlife, staff and visitors.
“It’s wonderful to see Kevin’s dedication and generous giving of time as a volunteer being recognised in this way,” Mr Williamson said.
