Mr COBB —I rise to honour the passing of John Douglas Kelly at his home in Sydney last Saturday night. John was Chief Executive Officer of the Taronga Park Zoo and the Western Plains Zoo at Dubbo. He held that position since October 1987.

John had a heart-lung transplant back in May 1993 after contracting cardiomyopathy in the early 1990s. John was a rare and wonderful individual who left a great impres sion on everybody who knew him. He was born at Lismore on 17 May 1946. He graduated from Sydney University with first-class honours in veterinary science. I went through university with him. He then moved on to become a Doctor of Philosophy and earned other honours. He was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia in January 1995.

John had a great vision for wildlife management in this country. He initiated many projects on endangered species such as Przewalski's horses, the black rhinos and Australian animals such as the yellow-footed rock wallaby, the bridled nail-tail wallaby, the mala and the bilby. He also initiated research and education programs into the echidna, koala, quoll, platypus and other marine mammals. He was a very conscientious, caring and outstanding person who left a great impression on everyone who met him.

Our sympathies go out to his wife Suzanne and his four children: Simone, Patrick, Phillipa and Kate. Australia has lost a wonderful individual.