Thursday May 6 2010 – for immediate release

Frontline campaigners from The Wilderness Society have today welcomed the newly elected national Management Committee of the organisation. The campaigners are also calling for Executive Director, Alec Marr, to step down, following his refusal to acknowledge the new committee.

On Sunday hundreds of Wilderness Society members voted to dismiss the previous committee and elected a new Committee at a Special General Meeting in Canberra.

“The election of a new committee, with the clear backing of members, will allow for a fresh start for the organisation, allowing campaigners to get on with the job of protecting Australia’s wild places” said Luke Chamberlain, Forest Campaigner for The Wilderness Society Victoria

“Alec Marr has long been a fearless campaigner and we need to acknowledge his commitment and achievements over the years. However, his recent actions have led to his losing the confidence of the majority of the organisation. It is time he put the planet, forests and wildlife first and step aside,” said Mr Chamberlain.

Luke Chamberlain, Victorian Forest Campaigner, The Wilderness Society Victoria
0424 098 729

Liz Johnstone, Community Campaigner, The Wilderness Society Tasmania

Tarquin Moon, Brisbane Campaigner, The Wilderness Society Queensland      

Peter Cooper, NSW Forest Campaigner, The Wilderness Society Sydney

Vanessa Culliford, Newcastle Community Campaigner, The Wilderness Society Newcastle 0403 592 292

Di Horsburg, Cairns Community Campaigner, The Wilderness Society Queensland

The Wilderness Society Western Australia