Logan resident Bernice Volz has advocated for environmental protection since 1990 – specifically for the land now known as Karawatha Forest.
Last week she was named in the King’s Birthday List and was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for her service to conservation and the environment.
Finally, after more 30 years of hard work, Ms Volz is getting the recognition she deserves, her friends say.
In 1990, Ms Volz and two other women lobbied Brisbane City Council had saved the Karawatha bushland from developers.
From this, the Karawatha Forest Protection Society (KFPS) was formed in 1991.
“There wouldn’t be the Karawatha Forest in its current form without Bernice,” her friend and KFPS president Paula Ross said.
“She’s a champion for the forest.”
Ms Ross said Ms Volz “without-a-doubt” deserved recognition for her work.
In addition to preserving the forest, she’s been heavily involved in educating local youth at the Pullenvale Environmental Education Centre.
“There’s just so much she’s done,” Ms Ross said.
Now 83, Ms Volz’s ambition never wavers.
“The only thing she’s scaled back on is guided walks… because it’s more physical,” Ms Ross said.
Ms Volz said she was honoured to be recognised in the King’s list.
“I did get a shock and it is an honour,” Ms Volz said.
“But I thought I would accept the award on behalf of everyone who made Karawatha what it is.”
Ms Volz was adamant everyone was capable of making change.
“You don’t have to be a scientist to do something,” she said.
“You can be a citizen scientist if you want to.”
“I didn’t know how to do it, I just did it – you ask people, you investigate.”
Ms Volz said she was an environmentalist ever since childhood.
“I always loved the bush and the birds and native plants,” she said.
In 1990, Ms Volz said the forest was owned by seven developers.
Now, because of Ms Volz’s efforts, the Karawatha Forest is a 1,222-hectare reserve managed by Brisbane City Council.
The Karawatha Forest Protection Society always welcomes new members, and its president Ms Ross said she hoped the younger generation became involved in the preservation of the reserve.
