History

OUR BIRTH

The Gould League is recorded as Australia’s oldest environmental education organisation, established in 1909 and honoured by having the Australian Prime Minister of the day Sir Alfred Deakin, as its first President. It was devoted to bird protection, prevention of egg theft, promoting education about birds, and campaigning for the formation of bird sanctuaries.

One of the league’s main sponsors was the Royal Australasian Ornithologists Union, now part of BirdLife Australia. The league had considerable success during this period, particularly in publishing educational material and in activities including field days to introduce the public to birdlife.

It was named “The Gould League of Bird Lovers” in honour the work of John and Elizabeth Gould. As people began to see the connection between environment, wildlife and humans after the publication of Silent Spring by Rachel Carson in 1962, the Gould League changed its name from Gould League of Bird Lovers to simply Gould League.  

The Gould League has made a significant impact on generations of Australians and their environmental attitudes. To learn more about Gould League’s history and milestones in environmental education in Victoria, click HERE.

OUR EVOLUTION

Since inception, Gould League blazed the trail for environmental education in Australia with the development of environmental curriculum for schools that was used across the state, along with our incursion and excursion programs, resources (like curriculum guides, books and posters), Teacher Professional Development and interactive educational websites. 

As environmental attitudes shifted, we broadened our message from birds to emcompas all native flora and fauna and a wide range of sustainability issues including food security, water, biodiversity, energy, transport and waste management. Learn what Gould League is all about these days!

Gould Group Limited is a registered Charity with the Australian Charities and Non Profit Commission (ACNC). We have DGR Charity Status so donations of $2 and over to Gould League are fully tax deductible.

OUR SISTER ORGANISATIONS

Numerous independent Gould League state organisations have existed over the past century. Only one other state’s Gould League remains in Western Australia (Herdsmans Lake Wildlife Centre) with New South Wales, South Australia, Queensland and Tasmania having now closed.

If you were a member of Gould League as a student and would like to take a walk down memory lane and review old historical certificates, posters, badges etc, then take a look at the recently released book “Gould League of Bird Lovers. Badges, Certificates and Ephemera” by Nick Nick Pezikian.