The Australian Marine Conservation Society released this statement on July 21.
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The Australian Marine Conservation Society and the Australian environmental movement is in mourning over the sudden and unexpected loss of Felicity “Flic” Wishart who passed away in her sleep on July 19 aged 49.
Flic was one of Australia’s leading conservationists and was a great and inspiring champion for the planet, the cause she dedicated her life to.
For 30 years Flic played a fundamental role in many of the key environmental campaigns in Australia.
Flic was a leader of seminal campaigns to protect the rainforests, to stop land clearing in Queensland, to confront the threat of climate change and national campaigns to protect the marine environment through the creation of a national network of marine protected areas and in her last, greatest and as yet unfinished campaign, to protect the Great Barrier Reef.
She was a hugely influential force in the Australian environmental movement working at the Australian Conservation Foundation, the Queensland Conservation Council, The Wilderness Society and the Australian Marine Conservation Society to tremendous effect. She mentored and inspired many newer campaigners, especially up and coming women in the environment movement.
None worked harder, with as much grace and achieved as many results to protect our heritage. As a leader she combined great warmth and humility, with an ability to understand and fearlessly challenge powerful forces that threatened our heritage.
All Australians, whether they realise it or not, owe a debt of gratitude for her work. We are all beneficiaries of her life and work.
As campaign director of the Australian Marine Conservation Society’s “Fight for the Reef” campaign she spearheaded the work that has led to a massive increase in protection for the Great Barrier Reef over the last three years.
She was a beloved mentor and guide, friend and confidant, inspiration and leader, mother and partner. Her intelligence, warmth, wisdom and energy are irreplaceable.
Her legacy will endure. Her fight is our fight.
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