THE GOULD LEAGUE OF BIRD LOVERS 
OF NEW SOUTH WALES 
“Education is more potent than legislation in the matter of bird preservation.” 
—The League's Watchword . 
Twenty-one years ago two men stood talking in the playground of the 
Public School at Wellington. They were visionaries with the faith of 
visionaries. 
The younger showed the other a membership certificate of the Victorian 
Gould League of Bird Lovers. The elder said: “We will send this movement 
through the schools of New South Wales!” The speaker was Edward 
Webster the Head Master: the other was Walter Finigan his assistant. 
Boastful words ! But those two visionaries had the faith that can move 
more than mountains. 
How was it to be done? Almost at once a companion spirit, with an 
intense love of nature, was found in their Chief Inspector — James Dawson, 
M.A. — and he was soon to be in Wellington. 
On the Saturday morning, 22 October 1910, following Mr Dawson's 
visit, a meeting was held and the following resolution was carried : 
That an Association be formed known as the New South Wales Gould League of Bird 
Lovers ; that those interested enrol themselves as members and form a provisional 
committee with power to add ; that a provisional subscription of Is. be paid by those 
joining for the purpose of defraying cost of stationery and postage; that Messrs 
Morgan, Finigan, and the mover (E. Webster) be elected as provisional executive for 
the purpose of propaganda ; and that Mr Finigan be secretary pro tem. 
Thus, the first branch of the Gould League of Bird Lovers of New 
South Wales, with a membership of twenty-three, was formed in that country 
town. The Chief Inspector of Schools was asked to become President and 
before the end of the year Bird Day was established in the schools of the 
Wellington district. 
Later, at a meeting in the Sydney Girls' High School, on Wednesday, 
21 December 1910, the League was established as a State organization with 
Mr James Dawson as President. Its objects were declared to be: 
1. To protect all birds except those that are noxious. 
2. To prevent the unnecessary collection of wild birds’ eggs. 
3. To disseminate knowledge regarding our birds and to help members, teachers, and 
others to identify them. 
4. To secure the general use of one common name for each bird. 
