Kathleen Jessop is a volunteer at the Werribee River Association, an artist and a nature lover. She explains her favourite aspects of Wyndham’s wilderness to Jaidyn Kennedy.
Tell us a bit about yourself
My parents always thought I’d be an entomologist, as I would be constantly looking for, and analysing bugs as I kid. I always found them fascinating and a little bit beautiful – I suppose my curiosity beat my fear. I was never satisfied with just learning about animals, insects and arachnids, however, and wanted everyone around me to have that knowledge, too. It explains why my career turned towards communications. I was a radio journalist, or news reader, for five years and now work as a media advisor in a paediatric research institute in Parkville. I am also a chronic volunteer!
What is your connection to the Wyndham community?
My move from Craigieburn to Wyndham in 2016 was meant to be temporary, but I fell in love with the history, nature, food scene and the relaxed, unpretentious people. My partner and I live in Werribee South and adore it. You may spot me donating blood, walking the dog, attending local footy, volunteering with Werribee River Association or driving my V8.
Where are your favourite natural spaces to spend time in Wyndham?
The Werribee River. It stretches from Ballan all the way to Port Phillip Bay and supports a huge array of fish, insects, mammals, reptiles, birds and plant life. The most famous residents are the platypus, but you might also spot a rakali, silver perch, nankeen night heron or even an orange-bellied parrot. I recommend visiting a quiet stretch right before dusk.
What is so special about Wyndham’s ecosystem?
Wyndham is in a unique position, being part of the Victorian volcanic plains, Port Phillip Bay shoreline and inside a rain shadow. This means our local ecosystem supports anything from rare grassland mammals and reptiles to freshwater fish and endangered, migrating birds. We’re so much more than an LGA!
What is your favourite native species in the area and why?
This is a great question! I love the little, unsung critters others might not know about. I am lucky to get regular visits from yellow-rumped thornbills, black-shouldered kites and superb fairy-wren at my house. I am also a big fan of our local blue-tongue lizards, Australasian coots (very cute waterbirds) and the harmless striped legless lizard, which make sweet little squeaking noises when hanging out in our grasslands. You’d be VERY lucky to spot one.
How can the average resident help the local ecosystem?
The simplest thing you can do to protect our native animals is keep your cat inside. Roaming and feral cats kill billions of native animals every year and are prone to spreading disease. Research from the Biodiversity Council shows up to 71 per cent of pet cats roam – 78 per cent actively hunt and only bring home 15 per cent of their kills. It’s impossible to tell the full impact of them roaming, so best to keep fur friends enriched indoors where they are warm and safe!
