EVERYDAYPEOPLE - Cassy Ironside - Nature nurtures the soul

CASSY Ironside loves nothing better than being outdoors, soaking up the sights and sounds of nature. Whether it’s gardening or nurturing native plants, she takes pleasure in observing the diverse array of animals and insects that inhabit our surroundings. Cassy also finds their interactions with each other and with humans fascinating.

Cassy's had some amazing wildlife encounters, like an Eastern bearded dragon seemingly waving at her—caught on video. Though likely coincidental, it's happened more than once.

Cassy is the eldest of three girls and was born at Lady Musgrave Hospital in Maryborough forty-seven years ago and has lived in Hervey Bay since she was six months old.

Her parents have lived in the same house in Hervey Bay for all those years. Currently, Cassy is staying with them and has lots of great memories from her upbringing in that very house. She has been busy planting lots of native plants in their garden and learning about their various uses.

During her school years, Cassy describes herself as a good student but very talkative, with a short attention span, and always had that extra bit of energy that she worked off by playing various sports, including, softball, hockey, futsal, soccer, and athletics. Cassy has also coached most of these sports and started coaching at the age of seventeen. Her involvement in sports provided her with invaluable experiences and some lasting friendships.

When she was younger, Cassy learned how to bow hunt and would go hunting for feral animals with her mum and dad. She became incredibly good at spotting animals and the experience gave her a whole new awareness of nature.

"Feral animals destroy vegetation and crops and kill livestock, which can have a devastating impact on the farmers," explains Cassy. "Feral foxes and cats hunt and kill native birds, insects, reptiles, and mammals, which endangers many species. Reducing feral animal numbers helps protect our native flora and fauna."

From her early days at McDonald’s to roles in a bakery, dental clinic, and various pharmacy settings Cassy’s passion for nature and wildlife conservation never waned. Currently, she has three jobs, with one of them feeding her passion. Riverbend Nature Connections was founded by one of Cassy’s friends and is a venture aimed at fostering environmental awareness through education, native plant cultivation, nature-based workshops, and habitat restoration work.

Cassy says that the best experience of her life was quite a few years ago when she managed to secure tickets to see Sir David Attenborough in Brisbane. Seeing him live was like meeting her idol and he inspired her to work on preserving nature.

Knowing how much Cassy loves her wildlife, a friend suggested that she join the group Turtles in Trouble. The group collaborates with Australia Zoo, SeaWorld, marine parks, and other groups to aid sick marine turtles, a cause close to Cassy’s heart.

She also is part of Dunga Derby by Rally for a Cause thanks to her sister and brother-in-law's encouragement. Cassy enjoys the event's fun atmosphere and its support for the local charity Rally for a Cause, aiding families in need. This year marks their eighth participation and the event's tenth anniversary.

Cassy also loves to cook. Desserts and cookies are her thing. She loves her choc chip macadamia cookies. Who knows, one day soon you might find some lemon myrtle in her cookies. Cassy says, there are so many edible plants so why not use what you’ve got?

Over the next year, Cassy will be helping get Riverbend Connection off the ground and hopes to offer workshops. She wants people to love nature as much as her idol Sir David Attenborough does.

By Kim Parnell

From What’s On Fraser Coast