Two long-term enthusiastic volunteers recently received Seniors’ Week Recognition Awards.
Lachlan Garland and Michael Purtell receiving their Senior awards Photo: Council
Michael Purtell
Mike is a founding and ongoing member of the Else-Mitchell Park (1993) and the Deanei Forest (1994) Bushcare Groups and in the past, the St Columba’s Catholic College Landcare Group. He is a long-term advocate for a range of environmental and conservation issues, as an individual and with the Blue Mountains Conservation Society.
Mike is a long-term and founding member (1996) and Co-Ordinator since 2011 of the Gang-Gang Bush Band, voluntarily providing music for family gatherings, local events, groups and communities. He also provided music for many years to his local church and is involved in local Blue Mountains bands and orchestras.
He is organising a bushdance to raise funds for the RFS/BMCC Mayoral BMR Fund for local people affected by the bushfires. Mike is enthusiastic, kind, caring and always willing to help.
Lachlan Garland
Lachlan is a long-term volunteer in a number of Council/NPWS Bushcare Groups; Coates Park, Charles Darwin Walk, Central Park, Everglades, Braseside and Valley of the Waters. He was the Co-Ordinator/member of the Summerhayes Park Bushcare Group. Over the years, he has also regularly attended many Swampcare work sessions and other Council/NPWS Bushcare Events.
Lachlan is the Co-Ordinator of the Jamison Creek Catchment Group. He is a committed long-term member of the Bushcare Network. Lachlan was a member of the NPWS Regional Advisory Committee for NPWS Association for several years. He was president of the Blue Mountains Conservation Society, for 2.5 years, as well as Membership Secretary for a number of years and, most recently, National Parks Officer.
He is also involved with the Land-Use Sub-Committee. Lachlan is passionate about the environment and has, for many years been involved in a range of environmental initiatives and general advocacy; as an individual and with other groups within the Blue Mountains and beyond.Lachlan is a long-term volunteer in a number of Council/NPWS Bushcare Groups; Coates Park, Charles Darwin Walk, Central Park, Everglades, Braseside and Valley of the Waters. He was the Co-Ordinator/member of the Summerhayes Park Bushcare Group.