P008041 revised AU-VU:EOAS Encyclopedia of Australian Science and Innovation

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 English AACR2 Anglo-American Cataloguing Rules Person created 2026-05-19 human Helen Cohn updated 2026-05-19 human https://www.eoas.info/biogs/P008041b.htm person Wheeler John Russell AACR2 1909 1984 Place of Birth Coleraine, Victoria, Australia Place of Death Geelong, Victoria, Australia Naturalist Conservationist Ornithologist Jack Wheeler had a varied career with the Victorian Railways, and the Australian Imperial Force Signals Corp during WWII. After being discharged he joined the Victorian Department of Agriculture as a dairy inspector in Ballarat, remaining with the Department until retiring in 1974. Wheeler was a keen naturalist, being particularly interested in birds (as was his brother Roy). He was involved in CSIRO bird banding programs for over 30 years. Wheeler was the inaugural Secretary of the Field Naturalists Club of Ballarat from 1952 to 1957. The following year he moved to Geelong. However his interest in the natural history of the Ballarat region continued for a further 25 years: he wrote a regular column "Nature notes" in the Ballarat newspaper Courier. After the move Wheeler engaged with local groups as he had in Ballarat. A foundation member of the Geelong Field Naturalists Club in 1961, he served as President from 1965 to 1971. Other organisation of which he was a member included the Ocean Grove Nature Reserve (Chairman 1968 - 1981), Bird Observers Club, Royal Australasian Ornithological Union, and Anglesea, Aireys Inlet Society for the Protection of Flora and Fauna. In 1977 Wheeler was awarded the Australian Natural History Medallion. 1952 1957 Career position - Secretary, Field Naturalists Club of Ballarat 1958 1958 Life event - Moved to Geelong 1958 1983 Career position - Author of "Nature notes" in Ballarat newspaper Courier 1959 1984 Award - Life Member, Field Naturalists Club of Ballarat 1961 Career position - Inaugural Member, Geelong Field Naturalists Club 1965 1971 Career position - President, Geelong Field Naturalists Club 1968 1981 Career position - Chairman, Ocean Grove Nature Reserve 1974 1974 Life event - Retired from the Victorian Department Agriculture 1977 1977 Award - Australian Natural History Medallion, Field Naturalists' Club of Victoria 1978 1978 Award - British Empire Medal (BEM) Anglesea, Aireys Inlet Society for the Protection of Flora and Fauna (1969 - )

Member

 Australian Natural History Medallion, Field Naturalists Club of Victoria (1940 - )

Awarded the Medallion 1977

 Field Naturalists' Club of Ballarat (1952 - )

Secretary 1952 - 1957; Life Member 1959 - 1984

 Wheeler, Wilson Roy (Roy) (1905 - 1988) 'Wheeler, John Russell (Jack)', in Encyclopedia of Australian Science and Innovation, Centre for Transformative Innovation, Swinburne University of Technology Wheeler, John Russell (Jack) Swinburne University of Technology, Centre for Transformative Innovation Encyclopedia of Australian Science and Innovation Edited Book: Introduction to the Ocean Grove Nature Reserve Wheeler, Jack Introduction to the Ocean Grove Nature Reserve Belmont, Vic. Ocean Grove Nature Reserve Committee of Management 1978 Book: Birds of the Ballarat region: a handbook Thomas, Roger and Wheeler, Jack Birds of the Ballarat region: a handbook Linton, Vic. R. Thomas 1983 Book: The care of sick, injured or orphaned native birds and animals Wheeler, Jack The care of sick, injured or orphaned native birds and animals Geelong Geelong Field Naturalists Club 1976 Thesis: A voice for nature: a history of the Field Naturalists' Club of Ballarat Kruss, Susan A voice for nature: a history of the Field Naturalists' Club of Ballarat Federation University Australia 2024