Painting with Purpose
How a Family of Glossy Black Cockatoos Helped Me Discover My Passion
When I first moved to our bush block on the Mid North Coast, I was standing at the kitchen window when a family of Glossy Black Cockatoos flew into the trees right in front of me. That moment changed everything.
I’d never seen these beautiful birds up close before, and after some quick bird ID, I learned they were Endangered! Their gentle, elegant presence sparked what became a deep fascination and love for the species, and a drive to help protect them.
From that day on, I did everything I could to learn about these birds and to protect the she-oak (Allocasuarina) trees and hollow-bearing trees they depend on for survival. Not only did I focus on their habitat while working at the Clarence Environment Centre, but I also began to paint them, using my art to tell their story and raise awareness about the importance of habitat conservation.
That passion led me to meet Victor, a young nature lover who came to our property to help with bush regeneration. Our shared love for the Glossy Blacks sparked not only a beautiful friendship but years of collaboration. I helped Victor secure funding through the Environment Centre and collect known feed trees, and he went on to propagate and plant thousands of seedlings for Glossy Black Cockatoos across the Clarence.
During this time, we worked alongside Biodiversity Legacy to set up an organisation to buy a block of land that is a Glossy stronghold but was under threat from development. Victor is now the Founder and President of Wildlife Preservation Clarence Valley (www.WPCV.org), a grassroots non-profit working to buy and protect more critical habitat in perpetuity.
Over the years, I’ve painted many Glossys, but my biggest piece was inspired by that very first sighting from my window - a Glossy family captured on board. When I sold the painting last month to a local business for their office, I donated the entire $1200 from the sale to WPCV to help cover admin costs and amplify their conservation impact.
It amazes me how, in just four years, a chance moment with a family of birds led to so much connection, purpose, and action.
Never underestimate the power of nature to inspire change. 💚
