Michael Keats

You have written more books than most bushwalking authors. Tell me, what are the books about and why did you write them?In the world of work I always had goals, key benchmarks to achieve and time lines that were often ridiculous. I was also an innovator and dreamt up activities that drove the organisations I headed up. I guess a reason I wanted to write about what I saw and experienced was that nothing else existed. “Therabulat Country” was conceived because the area is so special. When it came to writing the first book I was very green. By the time I had the second one in concept form I was already organising a logical flow of the material - Passes of Narrow Neck. By the time of the fourth book, “The Upper Grose Valley - Bushwalkers Business,” co–authored with Brian Fox there was a pattern to the work. This process has reached its effulgent flowering in the Gardens of Stone series.

What is it about the Gardens of Stone area that makes it so special to you?Love affairs are always hard to explain to third parties. It is now ten years since I first went walking in the Gardens of Stone area. From the very first contact I was smitten. I had discovered pagodas, high level canyons and remote terrain that was relatively easy to walk through, and where the topographic maps were largely empty of any reference to human intrusion. This dry unique area was chock-a-block with all the elements that pressed my bushwalking buttons. I conferred with co–author Brian Fox and explained to him what I wanted to do. Fortunately he loved the area as well. My initial construct for the work was three books. This rapidly grew to five and now it is nine. The magnitude of the area and the wonders within it leave me astounded after every walk that there is more exploring to do and so much more to learn. The prospect of the coal industry wantonly seeking to destroy the area is like a third party wanting to kill your lover. You stand up and fight.

If you could pass one piece of legislation in NSW this year what would be it be?An irrevocable law preventing any expansion of the coal industry, domestic or for export coupled with an open-ended financial requirement that every coal mining company and executive, past and present be compelled to pay the total real cost of restoring what can be restored and that the state work towards the expansion of solar energy and battery technology.

Being awarded an OAM is a big deal and a real honour. I imagine that it changes your perspective and focus somewhat. Has your mission changed in anyway this year?When the letter arrived in October 2015 I went into mild shock. The fact that it had to be kept secret until January 2016 did not help. What the wait did do was to provide time for careful and thorough thought about my role in bushwalking. Sixteen years ago I could never have imagined that a decision to embrace bushwalking would have led to such recognition. I also never expected to be standing up in front of Commissions of Inquiry defending the National Estate. Being an activist is a new mission. So much of our natural heritage it is at risk from economic, political and social pressures. I look around and find that there is only a handful of stalwarts to fight the good fight. My passion will not let me rest until the future of our natural heritage is secure.

If you could encourage bushwalkers on anything, what would it be?Nurture your curiosity, go bush, explore, discover, capture images, use social media to share, encourage others to venture forth with you. Use the political system to give the bush a voice. It does not have a vote unless you give it one.