The Origins Foundation Podcast

Episode 607 – Graeme Wall || A Conservation Champion You Have Never Heard Of

Date: November 13, 2025
Host: The Origins Foundation
Guest: Graeme Wall, Conservation Director – Rushworth Field and Game Branch

Episode Overview

This episode spotlights Graeme Wall, the driving force behind conservation efforts in the small rural town of Rushworth, Victoria, Australia. Recorded on location in the wetlands, this conversation explores the intersection of hunting culture and hands-on conservation, illustrating how local hunters are investing deeply in wildlife habitat, community engagement, and education within their region. The episode offers a candid, in-depth look at the challenges and successes in shifting public perceptions about hunting and conservation.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Graeme Wall and Rushworth: Introducing the Champion (00:59–03:03)

• Graeme Wall is introduced as the spear tip of conservation in Rushworth, a rural town in Victoria, Australia (~1,000 people).
• The interview takes place in a wetland, underscoring the on-the-ground nature of Wall’s work.
• “He is a conservation champion that nobody knows...he was articulating his conservation vision, explaining what they do, why they do it...” – Podcast Host (01:08)

The Importance of the Project for Hunters and Conservationists (02:17–03:01)

• Wall and the hosts discuss why conservation-focused hunting organizations are key to both the sport and environmental management.
• “You guys are climbing the ladder and then somebody does something stupid and you just slide down. That is such an amazing analogy. Snakes and ladders.” – Podcast Host (02:30)

Community Roots and Changing Attitudes (03:35–13:59)

Historical Context & Personal History

• Rushworth’s rich duck hunting tradition is recounted, emphasizing family and community bonds.
• “Duck hunter from a little kid...Dad was a duck hunter.” – Graeme Wall (05:01–05:04)
• Wall highlights a significant decline in hunting due to changing laws, cultural shifts, and economic barriers.

Attitudes Toward Hunting Today (09:35–13:59)

• “I think in Rushworth now, we would probably be 50/50.” – Graeme Wall (09:35)
• Despite being a rural area, public opinion on hunting is divided; many are neutral or uninformed rather than strictly anti-hunting.
• Efforts by Rushworth Field and Game to change perceptions include visible community projects, restoring local buildings, and educational outreach.

Shifting the Narrative

• The organization leverages local press and social media to show the tangible benefits of hunting-related conservation.
• “People’s opinions are shaped by what they read, what they see. That’s why I exist.” – Interviewer (13:00)
• The Rushworth Field and Game Facebook page has as many followers as there are residents in Rushworth.

Conservation in Practice: Initiatives & Impact (14:52–25:28)

Field and Game Australia – Local Chapter (15:00–16:03)

• Wall details the history: Field and Game formed in the 1950s by hunters concerned about declining duck populations.
• “...formed by hunters that could see a need for some sort of habitat protection.” – Graeme Wall (15:06)

Conservation Projects

• Installation of nesting and hen boxes for sugar gliders, parrots, microbats, and ducks.
• Partnerships with local organizations, such as golf clubs and schools (particularly the HOPE student program for hands-on experience).
• “We’ve been doing nest boxes all around the district...sugar glider boxes, parrot boxes, micro bat boxes...” – Graeme Wall (16:20–16:45)
• Use of grants, such as from the Bendigo Community Bank, to acquire materials and equipment for conservation efforts.

Measuring Impact (19:28–21:48)

• The organization maintains between 100–150 nest boxes; in a recent season, over 400 ducks successfully bred with aid from their hen houses, while hunters harvested around only 80–100 ducks.
• “Some of our people that do our conservation work don’t even hunt. Yeah, they do it because they like the conservation side element of it, the whole thing.” – Graeme Wall (21:32)

Conservation versus Other Green Groups (21:49–23:15)

• Other “green” groups enjoy observing birds but are rarely involved in practical, on-the-ground conservation in Rushworth.
• Rushworth Field and Game undertakes both habitat projects and advocacy with agencies for wetland management.

Wetland Challenges: Overgrowth and Water Management (23:44–30:16)

• Many wetlands are overgrown due to lack of management and natural flow, causing ecological problems (e.g., “black water” events).
• Securing environmental water allocations is a bureaucratic process, often reserved for areas with vulnerable species.
• Wall describes working with landowners and officials to restore wetland environments and advocates for more flexible, ecosystem-wide water management.
• “There’s a lot of water issues.” – Graeme Wall (27:16)

Restoration Successes and Next Steps (31:20–33:40)

• Notable restoration: brolga (a large, endangered crane) breeding documented on private wetlands, assisted by improved habitat.
• Past efforts in places like Mansfield Swamp involved large-scale removal of invasive sucker growth; ongoing efforts envisaged to open up more areas.
• “Hopefully if we can get some discussion going, they might be able to...open it up as a wood coop area...get rid of it out of that wetland.” – Graeme Wall (32:42–33:21)

Community and Collaboration (33:52–34:09)

• The branch’s success is attributed to a diverse membership, including non-hunters and skilled locals, as well as HOPE students.
• “We’ve got some people that have come along and joined up with us who aren’t necessary hunters and we’ve got some people that are very good with timber skills...The kids from the HOPE program come along and help us as well.” – Graeme Wall (33:52)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Rushworth’s shifting perspective:
  “They’re seeing the benefits of the activity of hunting.” – Interviewer (10:40)
• On public perceptions:
  “There would probably be 10% of people that are dead against hunting...the other 30 or 40% are probably what they read in the newspaper about all the bad things.” – Graeme Wall (12:31)
• On conservation’s community impact:
  “We’ve been able to utilize [locals’] skills…and the HOPE students from the Rushworth B12 on board building nest boxes.” – Graeme Wall (17:13–17:47)
• On conservation numbers:
  “Two years ago, we would have had in excess of 400 that we had in our hen houses...as a collective from our members, it would probably be lucky to be 80 to 100 [duck harvests].” – Graeme Wall (21:16–21:32)
• On practical conservation leadership:
  “We’re not only putting up nest boxes. We’re advocating for wetlands, too.” – Graeme Wall (22:22)
• On wetland restoration challenges:
  “Unfortunately Parks Victoria haven’t got the people and the resources to properly manage those areas. They call Victoria the broke state.” – Graeme Wall (30:06)
• On diverse involvement:
  “We’ve got some people that have come along and joined up with us who aren’t necessarily hunters...the kids from the HOPE program come along and help us as well.” (33:52–34:09)

Important Segment Timestamps

• Graeme Wall’s Introduction & Setting: 00:59–03:03
• The Hunting-Conservation Relationship: 02:17–03:01
• Duck Hunting Heritage & Decline: 05:00–06:06
• Public Attitudes & Changing Perceptions: 09:35–14:52
• The Field and Game Mission & Initiatives: 15:00–18:03
• Nest Boxes & Conservation Impact: 16:20–21:48
• Green Groups vs. Practical Conservation: 21:49–23:15
• Wetland Management Issues & Advocacy: 23:44–30:16
• Wetland Restoration & Sustainable Use: 31:20–33:21
• Community Involvement & Future Plans: 33:52–34:09

Conclusion

This episode provides a compelling example of how grassroots hunting organizations can drive both local conservation and cultural change. Graeme Wall’s work exemplifies how hunters, far from harming wildlife, are often at the center of protecting and restoring habitat. Through community partnerships, education, and practical restoration projects, Rushworth Field and Game not only delivers tangible environmental outcomes but is also gradually shifting public opinion on hunting, one wetland at a time.