Ann O'Brien, 1947-2000

ROCKHAMPTON — The conservation movement lost one of its dearest friends and most valuable members when Ann O'Brien lost her battle with a brain tumour and passed away peacefully on December 12.

Ann was a dynamo in all she did. An Englishwoman we were lucky enough to adopt, Ann loved all animals and was an avid campaigner for animal welfare issues and wildlife protection. While her best friend and husband Pat was away protesting against sand miners in Shoalwater Bay, Ann was in the swamps protesting against duck shooters.

Ann was a volunteer for many causes. I remember thinking quite often "How does Ann find the time?" It was because of her passion for life that she was able to fit so much into her busy schedule, and that is the reason she will be so sadly missed.

The biggest difference Ann made to many of our lives was as a volunteer in the Yeppoon Environment Centre. She was the life support for our organisation for many years and without Ann's dedication the centre might not be around today. I don't think many of us really realised how important Ann was to the conservation movement and how hard she worked.

Ann was the driving force behind the success of many issues. She would type the letters, answer inquiries, deal with altercations, dot the i's, and lock the door. She was so good at making sure all the little things were done that we often didn't even know they needed doing.

We miss you, Ann, very much. We will try very hard to carry on where you left off.

From GLW issue 434