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 pro¬ 
visional executive for the purpose of propaganda; and that Mr 
Finigan be secretary pro tern. 
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. 
5 . To cultivate a more friendly attitude towards birds by 
fostering an intelligent interest in them and their habits. 
6 . To encourage the formation of bird sanctuaries. 
