The people of the Pilbara will receive a rare insight into the life of one of Australia’s most celebrated conservationists as part of the Western Australian Museum’s Harry Butler Lecture Series: In the Wild West.
On Wednesday 25 July Dr Harry Butler, WA Museum Fellow and recently appointed Officer in the Order of Australia, will present ‘Museum collectors and carers: one collector’s story’ at the Tambrey Tavern and Function Centre in Karratha from 6:30pm.
The lecture will share the skills Dr Butler has gathered over his decades of field collection work and reveal the techniques he used to collect specimens for research and display.
WA Museum Chief Executive Officer Alec Coles will be in Karratha to introduce Dr Butler, and said he was delighted the lecture series was returning to the State’s North West for a second year.
“The 2012 In the Wild West program is again seeing the science and research work of the Museum taken to audiences across Western Australia,” Mr Coles said.
“It is fitting that Harry will deliver this lecture in a region where a large portion of his work has been carried out.”
During his career, Dr Butler has collected mammals, birds, reptiles, frogs and fish across the State in some very remote locations.
Dr Butler’s contribution to the conservation and restoration of Australia’s environment has been recognised with a number of public accolades including Australian of the Year in 1979, Commander of the British Empire in 1980, named a National Living Treasure in March 2012 and Officer in the Order of Australia in June this year.
Entry to the public lecture is by donation and bookings are essential; register online at museum.wa.gov.au/inthewildwest.
The Harry Butler lecture series: In the Wild West is proudly presented by the WA Museum in partnership with Chevron Australia. The series showcases the work of Museum scientists, curators and associates in the areas of natural and social sciences.
LECTURE: Museum Collectors and Carers; One Collector’s Story
WHEN: Wednesday 25 July, 6:30pm
WHERE: Tambrey Tavern and Function Centre, Tambrey Drive, Karratha
BOOKINGS ESSENTIAL: www.museum.wa.gov.au/inthewildwest
COST: By gold coin donation
Niki Comparti, Western Australian Museum, 9212 3840, Niki.Comparti@museum.wa.gov.au
