Coalition Against Duck Shooting

Ballarat Courier - Bryan Hoadley 20 JUNE 26
Magistrate Timothy H***e said he had "serious concerns" about the case and questioned whether the prosecution was in the public interest.
"In my view Ms Lemmon was not doing anything wrong, not endangering herself and not endangering other
people," he said.
"(She was) literally seeking to rescue an endangered species of wildlife, a threatened duck which was shot by a hunter."
Eventually, the matter proceeded by diversion, meaning no criminal conviction was recorded against Lemmon.
As part of the diversion, Mr H***e instructed Lemmon to be of good behaviour for one month and imposed
no financial penalty, despite the prosecution arguing for the mother of five to be ordered to pay a donation.
"I'm not making it a requirement that you make any contributions or donations (as part of the diversion),
" Mr H***e said to Lemmon when sentencing.
"You're a person of impeccable character, you have no prior convictions (and) you have five dependent children ... I don't think it's appropriate to make any requirement for a diversion.

'It's distressing'
Outside court, Lemmon, who volunteers at all hours of the day and night as a wildlife rescuer, described the GMA's legal pursuit of her as a stressful experience.
"I was out there purely to rescue a wounded duck which is GMA's job, but they don't do it, so it falls to rescuers" she said.
"It's distressing knowing that they do come after rescuers like that and not the hunter that has actually shot the duck"
"I definitely will have second thoughts about rescuing protected species, purely because if this is the trouble Ican get in, it leaves you contemplating ... I've got a life outside of (wildlife) rescue.

BREAKING NEWS! It has just been announced that the H5N1 bird flu strain has been found in Western Australia. Laurie Levy

EXPERIENCED DUCK RESCUER WINS LEGAL CASE

At Lake Boort on the opening of the 2025 recreational duck shooting season, Coalition Against Duck Shooting rescuer, Em, was booked by Game Management Authority (GMA) compliance officers for the trumped up charges of taking and being in possession of a threatened Freckled Duck (one of the rarest waterbirds in the world).

Em saw a shooter wound the bird but then walk away after realizing he had illegally shot a threatened Freckled Duck.

She gently recovered the suffering bird to take it to our mobile veterinary clinic but unfortunately it died in her arms. When stopped by GMA compliance officers, Em pointed to the camp the shooter had returned to, but the officers focused on booking Em for being in possession of a threatened species rather than ensuring the shooter was booked for destroying a threatened species.

In Ballarat Magistrates’ Court today the matter was resolved with a one month diversion. There was no conviction, no fine and no court costs, but thanks to the GMA, the illegal shooter walked away free.

Laurie Levy

Photos: The dead Freckled Duck & Em recovering a Teal in 2024.

'Us duck hunters': Victorian watchdog accused of siding with shooters The Game Management Authority is accused of turning a blind eye to illegal behaviour by shooters while bullying wildlife rescuers and anti-hunting campaigners.

A damning new media investigation has exposed what wildlife advocates have long reported: Victoria's duck shooting regulator is conflicted and ineffective. Instead of addressing these serious issues, the Victorian Government is pushing ahead with new legislation that would give the GMA even greater powers. Take action now and tell your MP to oppose the Bill before it's too late.

ACT NOW: Stop dangerous new hunting ‘superagency’ Wildlife rescuers could be jailed. Duck shooters could get more power.