There wouldn’t be many people in western Victoria involved in invasive species management that haven’t worked with, or know the work of the Casterton-based John Matthews from his 38 year career.
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Mr Matthews, Agriculture Victoria’s rabbit biosecurity manager, will retire this month.
He began with the Department of Crown Lands and Survey, as it was known back then in 1979, and has worked across regional Victoria in Swan Hill, Ellinbank, and Horsham – spending most of his career at offices in Hamilton and Casterton.
“A lot has changed since I first began.
“The department was a very male dominated workforce, now it is a great mix of professional, dedicated people using science to achieve results,” he said.
Mr Matthews said his work has provided many adventures and challenges over the years – including working with many organisations and gaining their trust to work with them to protect community assets.
“Trialling and establishing compliance for pest animal management was difficult early on, but is now widely accepted and requested by the community and environment bodies,” he said.
Mr Matthews said some of his proudest achievements were being part of the team that led Victoria to become the first jurisdiction to fully privatise and commercialise access to 1080 rabbit baits, and leading the development and accreditation of an established invasive animal (EIA) training program for Victoria.
His final major piece of work has been on the rabbit haemorrhagic disease (RHD) boost project for Victoria – a 20 year national program to biologically control rabbits.
As much as it’s about the work, John said he had been fortunate to work with many wonderful, intelligent and supportive colleagues who have given him many years of enjoyment and friendship, as well as his achievements in the established invasive animal space.
“I hope I have improved systems and processes for the management of EIA in Victoria by influencing and providing solutions to the wicked problem that is the impact of established pest animals in our state,” he said.
Agriculture Victoria plants, chemicals and invasive director Sharyn Williams said that throughout Mr Matthews’s career with the department, he had been a key contributor and driver in incorporating proven ideas from research into established pest animal management programs.
“He has been the leading advocate in showcasing the results of best practice pest animal management in Victoria,“ Ms Williams said.
“John has been a friend to many, a mentor, and a true gentleman to work with and has guided many staff with their career development and always provided support to colleagues,” she said.
“John’s technical input, commitment to mentor and teach, and professional approach are just a few examples of the legacy he leaves in the department,” Ms Williams said.
