Two long-serving NPA members, former president Esther Gallant and former outings convener Steven Forst, were honoured with Life Memberships at the AGM on 15 August 2024 for their enormous contribution to the aims and activities of the organisation.

 Esther has been an NPA member since 1998 and was president for 5 years from 2017. serving in that role for 5 years to become the equal longest serving president. She continues on the committee as past-president and is the current NPA representative to the National Parks Australia Council.

 An adventurous traveller, Esther made many presentations to NPA monthly meetings on her travels in far-flung places and was a regular walks leader. She also took a keen interest in raising awareness of environmental issues with young people, organising donations of books to schools in the ACT.

 Her presidency saw an expansion of NPA grants to honours students in environmental studies and for other research projects.  She guided the NPA through the difficult COVID years and lobbied the Legislative  Assembly and ACT bureaucrats on a range of environmental issues, including rehabilitation of Namadgi, particularly regarding Ramsar sites, after the 1999 – 2000 fires.

 She fostered cross-environmental group relationships on issues such as feral horses in Kosciuzsko National Park.

 Esther has left the NPA as an organisation that is well-respected by all parties within the ACT Legislative Assembly, Parks and Conservation and key NSW environmental organisations, and within the wider community.

 Steven Forst

 A member of NPA for 37 years, Steven was a ‘prolific’ walks leader, leading day walks and pack walks, and was a great contributor to the multi-club Wednesday walks.  His favourite destinations were southern Namadgi, the Brindabella Range, northern Kosciuszko National Park, the Budawangs and Canberra’s northern edge.

Steven Forst: a walk a month.

He was outings convener for 8 years, often leading a walk once a month, before moving to Queensland late last year. Steven also served on the NPA committee for 18 years, including a time as treasurer.  

Members will recall his quiet manner, gentle determination and the folding camping stool which accompanied his every outing.