Written by JCAFA
As they begin the next chapter of their lives in New South Wales, we would like to recognise Greg and Vicki Warburton’s legacy, which is defined by three decades of dedicated advocacy and on-the-ground work to conserve our wonderful local environment.
Greg and Vicki have had some incredible adventures spanning decades (and continents). These include a camel trip in Northern Kenya and a donkey trek through the Kimberley in the 80s, as well as being pulled along by a team of 12 huskies in Alaska in the 90s. Their most famous exploit, a gruelling 1,600km camel trek across Mongolia’s Gobi Desert, earned them the prestigious Australian Geographic Spirit of Adventure Award.
Closer to home, their passion for retracing history led them to follow the footsteps of 19th-century explorer David Carnegie across the Great Sandy Desert. Having completed the Laverton to Halls Creek leg in 1996 to mark the centenary of Carnegie’s journey, they returned to the track in 2016. Walking from Coolgardie to Laverton alongside their trusty camel, Warri (one of five remaining from their original expedition), they successfully completed the historic route.
Photo by Greg Warburton.
Photo by The West Australian
Both Vicki and Greg were fierce campaigners for the protection of the Helena and Aurora Range (Bungalbin), with Greg famously undertaking a high-profile, 400km solo trek in 2014 from Buckland Homestead to Bungalbin Hill. Pulling a heavy trolley with 35kg of supplies over 12 days, he successfully raised vital public awareness for the range’s conservation values. Subsequently, the Range is now in the process of becoming a National Park. You can watch Greg talking about his walk here.
In Toodyay, Greg and Vicki became invaluable pillars of numerous community groups, including the Toodyay Naturalists’ Club (TNC), Toodyay Friends of the River (TFOR), the Toodyay Historical Society, the Toodyay Tidy Towns Committee (TTTC), Safe and Scenic Toodyay Roads, CARE (Conserving the Avon River Environment) and our own Julimar Conservation and Forest Alliance (JCAFA), among numerous other groups and sub-committees.
Greg, in particular, took on numerous leadership roles across the groups: Chairman of TTC; President of TFOR and TNC; Vice President of TFOR and TNC; Project Officer of TFOR and TNC; and Chairman of CARE.
Greg was awarded an Hon. Life Membership of the Toodyay Friends of the River in 2013, and in recognition of his immense service, Greg was made an Honorary Life Member of the Toodyay Naturalists’ Club in 2018 and then in 2025, Greg was elected a Co-Patron.
Professionally, Greg worked for the Department of Water (where he learned about the problems that the Avon River has experienced since the 1950s), followed by the position of Wheatbelt NRM Project Officer. Eventually, he landed as the Toodyay Shire Reserve Manager, acting as the custodian of the region’s natural assets. His outstanding dedication to local ecosystems was formally recognised in 2013 when he won the Individual Landcarer State Award for his significant contributions to regional land management.
Whether in a professional capacity or as a volunteer, Greg has supported local conservation efforts to achieve landmark projects.
He supported the TNC and the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF-Australia) to successfully lobby the Toodyay Shire to change the vesting of 65-hectare Dawn Atwell Nature Reserve to “conservation,” ensuring a pristine piece of bushland habitat remains protected for generations to come.
Greg played a crucial part in the creation of the Bilya Walk Track – an achievement he is most proud of. Working with TFOR and valued partners, the group created a wonderful walking experience along the Toodyay section of the Avon River, from Nardie Pioneer Cemetery to Toodyay town. This led to many important partnerships contributing to the cultural history and enrichment of the track, including Aboriginal interpretive signage & artwork at Redbank Pool and Lloyd Reserve by Noongar Kaartdijin Aboriginal Corporation (NKAC).
Greg was Chairman and instrumental in setting up the Toodyay Tidy Towns Committee along with the Toodyay Historical Society, winning the State title in 2014 and regional awards in 2013 and 2014. In 2015, the hard work paid off even further when Toodyay won the National Tidy Towns Title and three of the eight national category awards.
Greg & Vicki receiving a present at their sendoff.
Both Greg and Vicki have had a deep connection to Julimar State Forest, having lived close by. In June 1999, Greg participated in a CALM trapping survey in the Julimar State Forest and has participated in and led multiple surveys, excursions and busy bees in the Forest ever since. Vicki has been a firm advocate and supporter, attending meetings and helping out on the field on numerous occasions.
That enthusiasm has always been a joint effort. Greg and Vicki have been familiar, welcoming faces at community events like the Toodyay Agricultural Show and the Moondyne Festival, always eager to stop, chat, and share the wonders of the Toodyay environment with locals and visitors.
Greg and Vicki’s departure leaves big shoes to fill in Toodyay. They will be deeply missed by all, and we wish them the very best of health, happiness, and new adventures in their next chapter.
