We were proud to have a small group of our Wildcare Tasmania community attend the Volunteering Tasmania (VT) Awards Ceremony on 19 September, where our dear friend and colleague, the late Stephen Mattingley was honoured with the Enduring Contribution Award.

The Governor of Tasmania presented this rare award, Her Excellency the Honourable Barbara Baker AC, acknowledging Stephen’s extraordinary legacy of environmental volunteering and his lifelong commitment to caring for Tasmania’s natural, wild places. Stephen’s wife, Sandra, accepted the award on his behalf.

The announcement was accompanied by moving words from the MC, Robyn Moore, noting that the “depth and care in the high number of posthumous nominations we received…speaks volumes about the difference and contributions he made.”

Volunteering Awards Tasmania 2025. Photo credit - Jillian Mundy VT Awards ceremony attendees right to left: Wildcare Friends of Melaleuca President Janet Fenton, Wildcare Tasmania Chair Donna Burton, Tasmanian Land Conservancy Visitation Coordinator Gemma Dyke, Wildcare Tasmania CEO Phillip Laroche, Wildcare Tasmania Board Member and Friends of the OBP President Marianne Gee, Stephen's sister Rosemary Mattingley, Stephen's wife Sandra Mattingley, Tasmanian Parks Ranger and Friends of the OBP Treasurer William Oliver, Governor of Tasmania, Her Excellency the Honourable Barbara Bake AC, Tasmanian Parks Association President Nicholas Sawyer.

Many of these nominations came from Wildcare Tasmania staff and leaders, who had worked alongside Stephen and experienced first-hand his wisdom, generosity, and tireless efforts to support both people and our environment.

Award print is by Bronwyn Tilbury, What a Dream Studio Award print by Bronwyn Tilbury, What a Dream Studio

Stephen’s contributions to Wildcare Tasmania since joining in 2018 were extensive. Stephen’s contribution and influence also extended beyond Wildcare. Through his work, he helped strengthen numerous conservation organisations and inspire new generations of volunteers. To learn more about Stephen's legacy, read our memorial to him here.

Stephen is remembered as a warm, wise, and generous individual, and as a man whose quiet courage and unwavering commitment created a legacy that will endure. His work reminds us of the incredible difference that one person can make.

Stephen’s legacy will continue to inspire us and is embedded into the heart of Wildcare Tasmania.

WILDCARE Deslacs

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