Jim Lacey
Encyclopedia
James Francis Lacey was an Australia
n whose work was considered instrumental in the development of the Western Plains Zoo
in Dubbo, New South Wales
, as its general manager from 1988 to 1992. Lacey also served as the administrator of Lord Howe Island
beginning in 1983.
, with his wife, Judith, and their oldest daughter, Elizabeth, in 1963.
The family moved again in 1971, this time to the city of Wagga Wagga. There, Lacey was employed as a Regional Development Officer for The Riverina
.
of Lord Howe Island
in 1983 by the Department of the NSW Government of the Premier of New South Wales
, Neville Wran
. Lacey was praised for his work as administrator of the island, which is a territory within New South Wales
.
Lacey's work on Lord Howe Island was noticed by John Kelly
, the chief zoo
Director of Parks and Wildlife. Kelly asked Lacey to join the Western Plains Zoo
in 1988 as general manager, an offer which Lacey accepted. (The Western Plains Zoo is now called the Taronga Western Plains Zoo). During his time at the zoo, Lacey worked to grow and develop the zoo's facilities, while maintaining an open-range concept
for the animals.
Lacey oversaw the introduction of Asiatic lions to the Western Plains Zoo. Another of Lacey's initiatives involved the construction of elevated canopy-level platforms in the zoo's koala exhibit, so visitors could view the koalas at eye level instead of from the ground. Lacey also travelled to Zimbabwe to negotiate the acquisition of several endangered black rhinos. The black rhino breeding program at the Western Plains Zoo is now a well regarded initiative.
Lacey hosted Queen Elizabeth II on her visit to the Western Plains Zoo in 1992. He also aggressively promoted the zoo as a major area tourist attraction
.
Lacey voluntarily left the zoo in 1992. Lacey moved to Darwin, Australia, where he took a position at the Northern Territory Wildlife Park for two years and developed a similar open range concept for the animals of that zoo as well.
Lacey and his wife later moved Coffs Harbour. He served as the New Business Development Manager on the local council
until his retirement in 2004. He moved to Woonona upon his retirement.
at the age of 73. He was survived by his wife, Judith, and their five children: Elizabeth Hirst, Mary Louise Lacey, Catherine McClintock, Andrew Lacey and Anne Lacey.
Lacey's funeral was held at St Joseph's Catholic Church in Bulli.
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
n whose work was considered instrumental in the development of the Western Plains Zoo
Western Plains Zoo
Taronga Western Plains Zoo, formerly known as Western Plains Zoo and commonly known as Dubbo Zoo, is a large zoo near Dubbo, New South Wales, Australia. It opened to the public on 28 February 1977, to provide more living and breeding space for large animals such as elephants and antelopes which...
in Dubbo, New South Wales
New South Wales
New South Wales is a state of :Australia, located in the east of the country. It is bordered by Queensland, Victoria and South Australia to the north, south and west respectively. To the east, the state is bordered by the Tasman Sea, which forms part of the Pacific Ocean. New South Wales...
, as its general manager from 1988 to 1992. Lacey also served as the administrator of Lord Howe Island
Lord Howe Island
Lord Howe Island is an irregularly crescent-shaped volcanic remnant in the Tasman Sea between Australia and New Zealand, directly east of mainland Port Macquarie, and about from Norfolk Island. The island is about 11 km long and between 2.8 km and 0.6 km wide with an area of...
beginning in 1983.
Early life
Lacey was born in Sydney, Australia, in 1934. He resided in the city until he was 29 years old. He moved to Young, New South WalesYoung, New South Wales
-Demographics:On census night, 7 August 2001, there were 6,821 people counted in Young. There were 238 people who identified as being of Indigenous origin in the 2001 Census...
, with his wife, Judith, and their oldest daughter, Elizabeth, in 1963.
The family moved again in 1971, this time to the city of Wagga Wagga. There, Lacey was employed as a Regional Development Officer for The Riverina
Riverina
The Riverina is an agricultural region of south-western New South Wales , Australia. The Riverina is distinguished from other Australian regions by the combination of flat plains, warm to hot climate and an ample supply of water for irrigation. This combination has allowed the Riverina to develop...
.
Career
Jim Lacey was appointed the administratorAdministrator of the Government
An Administrator in the constitutional practice of some countries in the Commonwealth is a person who fulfils a role similar to that of a Governor or a Governor-General...
of Lord Howe Island
Lord Howe Island
Lord Howe Island is an irregularly crescent-shaped volcanic remnant in the Tasman Sea between Australia and New Zealand, directly east of mainland Port Macquarie, and about from Norfolk Island. The island is about 11 km long and between 2.8 km and 0.6 km wide with an area of...
in 1983 by the Department of the NSW Government of the Premier of New South Wales
Premiers of New South Wales
The Premier of New South Wales is the head of government in the state of New South Wales, Australia. The Government of New South Wales follows the Westminster system, with a Parliament of New South Wales acting as the legislature...
, Neville Wran
Neville Wran
Neville Kenneth Wran, AC, CNZM, QC was the Premier of New South Wales from 1976 until 1986. He was National President of the Australian Labor Party from 1980 to 1986 and Chairman of both the Lionel Murphy Foundation and the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation from 1986...
. Lacey was praised for his work as administrator of the island, which is a territory within New South Wales
New South Wales
New South Wales is a state of :Australia, located in the east of the country. It is bordered by Queensland, Victoria and South Australia to the north, south and west respectively. To the east, the state is bordered by the Tasman Sea, which forms part of the Pacific Ocean. New South Wales...
.
Lacey's work on Lord Howe Island was noticed by John Kelly
John Kelly
- People :* John Kelly of Killanne , leader of the Irish Rebellion of 1798 in Wexford* John Kelly , Congregational minister* John Larry Kelly, Jr. , originator of the Kelly criterion...
, the chief zoo
Zoo
A zoological garden, zoological park, menagerie, or zoo is a facility in which animals are confined within enclosures, displayed to the public, and in which they may also be bred....
Director of Parks and Wildlife. Kelly asked Lacey to join the Western Plains Zoo
Western Plains Zoo
Taronga Western Plains Zoo, formerly known as Western Plains Zoo and commonly known as Dubbo Zoo, is a large zoo near Dubbo, New South Wales, Australia. It opened to the public on 28 February 1977, to provide more living and breeding space for large animals such as elephants and antelopes which...
in 1988 as general manager, an offer which Lacey accepted. (The Western Plains Zoo is now called the Taronga Western Plains Zoo). During his time at the zoo, Lacey worked to grow and develop the zoo's facilities, while maintaining an open-range concept
Concept
The word concept is used in ordinary language as well as in almost all academic disciplines. Particularly in philosophy, psychology and cognitive sciences the term is much used and much discussed. WordNet defines concept: "conception, construct ". However, the meaning of the term concept is much...
for the animals.
Lacey oversaw the introduction of Asiatic lions to the Western Plains Zoo. Another of Lacey's initiatives involved the construction of elevated canopy-level platforms in the zoo's koala exhibit, so visitors could view the koalas at eye level instead of from the ground. Lacey also travelled to Zimbabwe to negotiate the acquisition of several endangered black rhinos. The black rhino breeding program at the Western Plains Zoo is now a well regarded initiative.
Lacey hosted Queen Elizabeth II on her visit to the Western Plains Zoo in 1992. He also aggressively promoted the zoo as a major area tourist attraction
Tourist attraction
A tourist attraction is a place of interest where tourists visit, typically for its inherent or exhibited cultural value, historical significance, natural or built beauty, or amusement opportunities....
.
Lacey voluntarily left the zoo in 1992. Lacey moved to Darwin, Australia, where he took a position at the Northern Territory Wildlife Park for two years and developed a similar open range concept for the animals of that zoo as well.
Lacey and his wife later moved Coffs Harbour. He served as the New Business Development Manager on the local council
Local government in Australia
Local government in Australia is the third tier of government, administered by the states and territories which in turn are beneath the Commonwealth or federal tier. Unlike New Zealand, the US or the UK, there is only one level of local government in all states, with no distinction such as...
until his retirement in 2004. He moved to Woonona upon his retirement.
Death
Jim Lacey died on 31 January 2008, at a hospital near WollongongWollongong, New South Wales
Wollongong is a seaside city located in the Illawarra region of New South Wales, Australia. It lies on the narrow coastal strip between the Illawarra Escarpment and the Pacific Ocean, 82 kilometres south of Sydney...
at the age of 73. He was survived by his wife, Judith, and their five children: Elizabeth Hirst, Mary Louise Lacey, Catherine McClintock, Andrew Lacey and Anne Lacey.
Lacey's funeral was held at St Joseph's Catholic Church in Bulli.