Allan Richards

Allan has been Activities Officer since joining the committee in1986. The extensive and varied schedule of Club outings and camp outs are due to his organisational skills and wide knowledge of Australian birding habitats. He was appointed as a Life Member 2006.

Elisabeth Hodson

Elisabeth joined Birding NSW in 1986 with her husband Tom Karplus. She joined the Committee soon after, was Conservation Officer for 4 years, President for 7 years and Secretary for 3 years. She edited the Birding Bulletin from 2011 until it ceased production in 2024. She co-ordinated the South-West Slopes KBA survey around Grenfell from its inception in 2011 until 2026. She was made a Life Member in 2022.

John and Carole Carpenter

Carole and John Carpenter, Poultry Farmers near Tuggerah, joined Birding NSW in the early 1990s and became foundation members of the Central Cost Group, Birding NSW in 1995. They both had a good knowledge of the birds of the Central Coast and soon became leaders of outings and campouts for the Group, and continue doing so 30 years later. Their membership of the Tuggerah Progress Hall enabled the Group to use the hall for meetings and special activities and this arrangement continues to this day. John and Carole prepare the hall for each meeting, Carole organises, with assistance, the supper for the monthly meetings while John helps clean up and re-organises the hall after the meeting. Between 2000 and 2019, the Group Christmas break-up outing and BBQ, was held on the large verandah of their house, following a walk through the adjoining bushland. The bushland walk is still held annually at Christmas, but currently the Break-up lunch takes place at the Central Coast Wetlands Reserve. Their support in all aspects of the management and leadership of the Central Coast Group for the past 30 years has been invaluable.

Dick Dallimore

Dick joined the Club on 30 March 1985 and has been a member of the committee since 1994. He managed the membership records from 1986 to 2000 and was Vice-President from 2001 to 2002, followed by President for 5 years, 2003 to 2008. Dick remains an active Committee member, managing several aspects of the Club meetings including booking the venue and managing access to it, organising the audio-visual devices for guest speakers and taking care of the organisation of the Christmas supper after the Arnold McGill Memorial Lecture. The other area of significant involvement handled by Dick has been the Club Photographic Competition. He has organised the judges and been one himself and ensured the photos and judging information has been sent to the correct people. In the past, Dick has helped with enveloping and mailing of the newsletters and has acted as the leader of Club field outings.

Past Life Members

Marie Dibley

A very active committee member in the Club’s early years, Marie was Activities Officer for many years.

Ern Hoskin

Ern was a popular and enthusiastic leader of Club outings for many years. He was able to reproduce virtually any bird call, a big help to all the beginners whose bird identification he helped.

Jim Francis

Jim was instrumental in the arduous process of writing a new constitution and organising the incorporation of the Club. He led many birding activities, as well as being President for 6 years.

Norma Maxwell

Norma was an active committee member, and a well-known outings leader. Her most significant contribution to the Club was initiating the monthly mid-week outings in 1985.

Peter Roberts

Peter was a pioneer in the initial establishment of the Club. He was active for many years both on the committee and with the Club’s publications, especially ‘Australian Birds.

Alan Morris

Alan was a founding member of the Club and held many positions including President, Vice-President and Editor of “Australian Birds”. He had been the Club’s Record Officer since 1993. He instigated the formation of the Central Coast Branch of the Club in 1998 and remained a leading force in this group.

Barrie Ayres

Barrie was an indefatigable committee member being both Treasurer and Membership Secretary for several years.

Tom Karplus

Tom joined the committee as Newsletter Editor in 1986. In 2008 he became President. He worked to promote joint Conservation efforts with other Bird Clubs, while retaining our Club’s identity and independence.

More information about the Life Members can be found in The History of Birding NSW 1970-2020