Hello Koala Lovers,

Like all of us, I feel the loss of Sir Sam Neill and I find myself drawn to looking at and listening to him, not just in his films but in his interactions with the media about his life in general.   I have read his hilarious book.

I am so moved by his concern for the planet and felt that I wanted to thank him for letting us know that those that are left behind, must do all we can to protect our life force.

His love and respect for animals and his humour in the names he gave his incredible menagerie brings joy to us all.

I think the thing I want to write about in this Diary is his incredible humility.    You can see that he just did not have any air and graces about his job and like all of us, had to go home and find joy in his own world.  Luckily, I can do that and you might be surprised at the names that I give to my animals!   After 16 Environment Ministers, there are plenty of options.

Watching him on his farm, you can tell that there was Sam the person and Sam the film star.  I understand he liked to hug a duck when things got tough.

Over the last few weeks, I have the chance to speak to some of the staff that work in governments both at a state and federal level.   Some of them are really decent human beings and well, one of them had no humility at all; and certainly did not display any sort of urgency about the plight of the Koala (even though it is Endangered).   One of them particularly wanted to assure me “that all is well” and that more documents are being shuffled around different departments, taking either months or years and seemed unconcerned at the glacial pace.   It is clear my urgency annoys them and I was looking for a duck!

Then Sam died unexpectedly and as I watched this incredible human being, being venerated worldwide, I wished that our leaders had more humanity and more importantly have the confidence to do their jobs with honesty and conviction.

All of us, whether humble, shy, reticent, or bold can make a difference.

None of us can be famous like Sam, but we can make our voices heard.

Cruelty to animals is completely unacceptable.

A Koala Protection Act would not allow any cruelty, and it is firmly still on my agenda, even if it is not on our Governments; that became so apparent to me in my recent meetings.

I am emboldened by the courage and words of Sir Sam, and I am sure there are many animals waiting for him wherever we all go.

Deborah.