Ascension : Ascension Island bids farewell to Dianne McLeish
Submitted by The Islander (Conservation Office) 24.02.2011 (Article Archived on 10.03.2011)

This photograph was taken on Dianne’s last day when she presented Olivia and her team with an RAF Lossiemouth plaque and RAF souvenirs to thank them for hosting her with her trip.

“As many of you will know I was on Ascension Island for 5 weeks as part of my final RAF resettlement working as a volunteer with the conservation department.  I had a tremendous time working in Ascension with the conservation team carrying out a variety of work which included turtle counts, planting, bird watching, weeding, walking, beach raking and even assisted with rescuing 3 turtles.  In addition and with the help of the Ascension Island Divers I was able to carry out personal underwater surveys and assisted Dr Frithjof Kuepper from Oban with his research work. 

I would like to pass my thanks to the many people who I met and to the following people who helped me learn new skills and give me such a memorable time:

The conservation team - Olivia, Natasha, Nathan, Dane and Jacquie, Diver Buddies – Mike and Alison Birkett, Ann Duguid, Chris Short, Rob Payne and Bill Hardy, The Hash members and members of the seniors mess who made me so welcome, John & Caron King, Louise Short, Claire Hodson and Martin Richardson.  My final thanks go to Wg Cdr Rod Duguid, the RAF Base Commander who agreed to be my sponsor and without his final signature I could not have made the trip. 

Thanks for such a great send-off I had the most incredible time in Ascension and have lots of fabulous memories and photographs that will live with me forever.   Long live the turtles.”

Dianne McLeish (RAF WO (Retired))