Noel "Bill" HicksPrint Page

The plaque commemorates Cessnock City Hall of Fame Inductee, Noel "Bill" Hicks, for his achievements in environmental science.  Noel was inducted into the Hall of Fame on the 28th June 2017. 

Bill Hicks had a long and successful career as an electrical engineer, working in Australia, England, and the United States, before retiring in 1985 and moving to Laguna. It was here that he began a new career as a science innovator, which has brought him great acclaim. 

A keen environmentalist, Bill has had a long involvement with projects to understand and protect Australia’s native flora and fauna.  Supported by National Parks & Wildlife Service (NPWS), Bill undertook a pioneering program of research on the dietary requirements of koalas on his property in Oatley Bay, he was also a founding member of the Society for Growing Australian Plants, founding chairman of the David G. Stead Wildlife Research Station, founding secretary of the New South Wales Environment Centre, and Chairman of the Nature Conservation Council. 

From his new home in the Watagans, Bill became involved with the Hunter Catchment Management Restoration Taskforce.  Stemming from a concern about the extensive use of exotic and invasive willow species in river and stream bank stabilisation projects, Bill developed a new technique for planting on restoration sites that allowed native species to be used instead of the willows.  

This new technique challenged long held horticultural principals, but field trials demonstrated a greatly increased survival rate of native plantings.  River and stream bank restoration projects that had previously been using willows for their ability to easily establish and protect the banks, were now able to substitute native plants, helping to re-establish local habitat, and increase biodiversity.

In 1989, the Catchment Management Trust and Department of Land and Water Conservation approached Bill to supply 25,000 trees for the Hunter River Planting Program. The project was a huge success and generated many new orders and interest in the technique.  Bill and his wife Betty began to travel across Australia showcasing the benefits of Longstem Deep Planting. 

The technique is now recognised as part of best practice stream and river restoration restoration, and is used nationally and internationally, with projects in Central Africa, Egypt, USA, and England.

The City of Cessnock Hall of Fame celebrates individuals and families who have a strong association with the City and who have attained significant prominence at a state, national or international level in their field of endeavour.  People inducted into the Hall of Fame are from all spheres of the community and are celebrated for their outstanding achievements.

Location

Address:	Wollombi & Paynes Crossing Roads, Wollombi, 2325
State:	NSW
Area:	AUS
GPS Coordinates:	Lat: -32.938231 Long: 151.140538 Note: GPS Coordinates are approximate.

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Details

Monument Type:	Plaque
Monument Theme:	People
Sub-Theme:	Science

Dedication

Actual Monument Dedication Date:	Wednesday 28th June, 2017

Source: MA