Dear All Martin Hartree has been caretaker of the Leanyer Sewage Ponds for – I don¹t know how long I remember him driving up one dark night it must have been the early 1980s – to warn Hilary and myself about a crocodile that hung out near where we were watching for nocturnal birds.
Martin has not only been caretaker of the ponds, but also of the birds. As visitors in the late Dry will know, waterfowl sometimes number in the tens of thousands, and so this has been quite a job. Martin keeps an eye on birders, ensuring they do the right thing by the birds/ For example he has stopped people scaring them (so as to photograph a flock in flight). At that time of the year many waterfowl coming to the ponds are in relatively poor condition and harassment is the last thing they need.
Over the years Martin has catered for thousands of birders. He¹s rescued the occasional one who has found themselves locked in (yours truly included), and he¹s helped others who¹ve had car trouble . He has given people advice on the best spots, and he¹s even rescued the occasional nitwit who has fallen into the ponds. And, though Martin hasn¹t admitted it, I suspect that he was one of those who submitted an unfair dismissal claim to the union on behalf of Ben, a crocodile befriended by the sewage ponds workers and later captured by the authorities.
Martin is now seriously ill, and so I¹m asking birders, not only in Australia but the world over, to do something for this kind, thoughtful man who has dedicated his life to the sewage ponds we all love. Would you all please send him a get well card, and then pass this email onto others you know? Let¹s all show Martin that we do care. Address the cards to:- Norm Cramp Manager Emergency Planning and Response Power and Water Corporation PO Box 1927 Darwin NT 0801
Thank you Denise
