Pat Barblett, AM, Founder of FACET

Pat Barblett Founder of FACET

Mrs Pat Barblett, AM founded FACET in 1991 and went on to Chair the organisation until 2004. Without Pat’s vision and endless energy, FACET would not e the thriving organisaton it is today. Amongst a long list of achievements, Pat has contributed significantly to the sustainable development of cultural and natural tourism in this State. Since the mid 1970s, Pat has served on more than 20 boards and committees.

Pat was the first woman appointed to the Rottnest Island Board in 1977. She served on the Board and later on the Rottnest Island Authority for 16 years, retiring in 1993. The last three years of her term she was Chairman of the Authority. She was responsible for the first Environmental Interpretation Plan for the Island and established the Rottnest Museum. She was instrumental in having the Kingstown Army Barracks converted into the Rottnest Environmental Education Centre and Youth Hostel. She established the Rottnest voluntary Guides and oversaw many reafforestation programs on the island. Pat Chaired the Rottnest Island Hospital Board for eight years and established the Rottnest Foundation, an incorporated body dedicated to raising money for environmental and heritage projects on the Island.

In 2003 Pat was awarded the Sir David Brand Medal for extraordinary personal and professional achievement and contribution by an individual over many years to the Australian and particularly Western Australian tourism industry. Pat is also the immediate past chair of the Conservation Commission and has been a member of the Commission and its predecessor, the National Parks and Nature Conservation Authority for nearly 17 years. During her time with the Conservation Commission, Pat helped advance conservation efforts through milestone achievements from the creation of new national parks, to an historic joint management agreement with the traditional owners of the East Kimberley region. She also helped to develop the first Forest Management Plan and has been a driving force behind the Conservation Commission’s work to raise awareness of the State’s conservation estate.

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