Bennett, Merle (1929 - )

Merle Bennett, of Hopetoun WA, was awarded an Order of Australia Medal in June 2019, for service to conservation and the environment. Merle has taken on many worthy causes, but prominent amongst them is her strong advocacy for the Western Australian flora, particularly in the Ravensthorpe region and the iconic Fitzgerald National Park (a world Biosphere).

In the 1990s Merle was the driving force behind the Ravensthorpe Wildflower Show and Herbarium, which is widely known both nationally and internationally. She has made over 1200 collections and many notable observations for the Herbarium. Her work has contributed greatly to the appreciation of what is one of the most diverse and unique floras in the world.

She also co-wrote two books about the region, has been a member of various environmental groups, and at 90 was still involved with Friends of the Fitzgerald River National Park and Birds Australia.

Source: Extracted from: Ravensthorpe Wildflower Show leaflet
https://wildflowersravensthorpe.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Ravensthorpe-Wildflower-Show-and-Spring-Festival-Programme-2019.pdf
Portrait Photo: Extracted from: https://www.kalminer.com.au/news/awardees-dedication-inspires-ng-b881225902z.

Collecting localities for 'Bennett, M. (PERTH)' from AVH (2021)

Data from 1,212 specimens