Friends of Osprey Commitee
The Friends of Osprey Committee is a group of volunteers passionate about advancing the conservation of Ospreys in South Australia. It is comprised of people from all walks of life and who live across South Australia.
Patron, Janet Forster
Janet is a long term Port Lincoln resident, businesswoman and conservationist. She has run the Port Lincoln Osprey webcam, YouTube Channel and Facebook page for several years and this has driven an interest in broader Osprey recovery across the Eyre Peninsula and the state. As Patron of Friends of Osprey she is keen to spread the word far and wide about this wonderful species and inspire others to join this conservation movement.
Chair, Honourable David Speirs
David Speirs is the inaugural Chair of Friends of Osprey. He grew to love Osprey (and all things natural environment) while growing up in rural Galloway, Scotland, bringing this passion to Australia with him when he migrated to Adelaide as a teenager in 2002. After studying Law and Environmental Studies at the University of Adelaide and working in policy development roles within the South Australian Government, David was elected to the South Australian Parliament in 2014, representing a seat in Adelaide’s southern suburbs. David served as South Australia’s Minister for Environment and Water between 2018 and 2022.
David served as South Australia’s Minister for Environment and Water between 2018 and 2022 and was the Leader of the Opposition from April 2022 until August 2024. He retired from politics in October 2024.
Secretary, Bazz Hockaday
Bazz is a resident of the Lower Eyre Peninsula. While his interest in the recovery of the South Australian Osprey Population is his focus now, Bazz has always had a strong affinity for nature in general and brings with him a plethora of varied skill sets and knowledge.
He spent 30 years on and under the waters surrounding Eyre Peninsula with the fishing industry and holds Master 5 certification as well as Marine Engine Driver 5.
He held commercial diving certification and wrote the first ever report on Bluefin Tuna in captivity for the industry.
He skippered the Dangerous Reef Explorer for several years which ferried up to 50 passengers to Dangerous Reef and the floating platform just offshore.
Bazz was involved in Conservation and Land Management for 9 years and holds all the relevant certification required for that often-sensitive work.
Bazz, with his wife Fran turned their photography passion into a thriving professional photography business which they successfully ran till recently retiring.
Having been a big fan of osprey for many years in a general sense, Bazz became actively involved with osprey through “Port Lincoln Osprey” in 2018 then jumped at the opportunity to become an inaugural committee member of the “Friends of Osprey” group when it formed in 2022.
Vice President, Fran Solly
Fran first discovered birds in the early 1980’s and they quickly became an obsession especially once she moved from observing and keeping lists to photographing birds.
She retired from her role as an Executive in the South Australian Government in 2013 and this gave her the opportunity to focus more on her photography and birds. She completed a Bird Identification course with Dr Greg Kerr that saw her registered as a Citizen Scientist with the ability to participate in surveys and monitor and record bird activities.
Fran became involved with Osprey through Port Lincoln Osprey in 2017 and has monitored them on Eyre Peninsula every year since. It quickly became clear to Fran that not enough was known about these birds particularly once they leave the nest. She was motived to know more especially since Osprey are endangered in South Australia, and their numbers are in decline. Through Friends of Osprey, she feels that she is able to contribute in a positive way to the recovery plan for these amazing birds.
Treasurer, Ainsley Parker
Ainsley is the Treasurer of Friends of Osprey. With a passion for wildlife and bird conservation, Ainsley has spent a lifetime immersed in the natural beauty of the Eyre Peninsula, where her love for birds and the outdoors has grown.
After a rewarding career as an accountant, Ainsley now brings her expertise and strong commitment to the conservation cause. Joining the committee has been a fulfilling shift, combining her lifelong love of nature with her continued contribution to community services.
In addition to managing the finances for Friends of Osprey, Ainsley looks forward to contributing to the group’s mission, ensuring the success of projects and programs designed to safeguard these magnificent birds and their habitats.
Friends of Osprey Committee Members
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Max Barr (Yorke Peninsula)
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Clare Bourne (Adelaide)
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Sonya Coleman (Far West Coast)
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Kylie Correll (Yorke Peninsula)
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Greg Limbert (Far West Coast)