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Leslie Bail interviewed by Gregg Borschmann in the Environmental awareness in Australia oral history project [sound recording]
Bib ID 2472262
Format AudioAudio
Author Bail, Leslie, 1944-
Access Conditions Written permission required for research, personal copies and public use during the lifetime of the interviewee. 
Description 2003. 
3 digital audio tapes (ca. 172 min.) 
Series Environmental awareness in Australia oral history project 
Summary

Leslie Bail, manager, former diver & whale watching charter operator, born at Elleker, W.A. recalls his family background; memories of family fishing boats (i.e.clinker boats) heading from Elleker down the channels and drains to King George Sound (1950s); his early schooling & carpentary apprenticeship; his own building company; setting up a secondhand building materials salvage yard in Albany,W.A.(early 1980s); spearfishing with primative early post WWII diving equipment and being ignorant of safe diving procedures; setting up the first dive shop and dive tour operation out of Albany (late 1970s); buying the first dedicated dive boat from Westerberg Marine and setting up South Coast Divers Club; Jaycee Community Foundation whaleboats (Cheynes 3); childhood memories of visiting Cheynes Beach Whaling Station, located on the southern coast of King George Sound in Albany, W.A.; John Bell, a former spotter pilot for the Cheyne Beach Whaling Station (1952-1978) who turned the station into a Whale Museum (Whale World); sinking his whale watching boat in a storm off Cape Riche (1988).

Bail speaks about being issued with 1st mammal interaction licence in the southern Western Australian waters; how he developed the whale watching industry in south Western Australia (late 1980s- ); documenting all whale sightings and behavioural patterns; his contacts with Freemantle Maritime Museum; community concerns about Whaleworld (1995); Jaycees Community Foundation investment in Whaleworld; his position as Manager, Whaleworld (from Aug. 1996- ); his membership of Museums Australia; behind the scenes insights into the transformation of Whaleworld from an industrial site to heritage actraction; heritage site listing (1988), balancing the commercial & heritage concerns; establishing professional links with American whaling museums; Whaleworld's possible future as a research and resource centre; an assessment on the still doubtful future for many species of whale, and human management of the resource for conservation.

Notes

Recorded on June 12, 2003-June 13, 2003 at Albany, W. A.

DCM record; National Library of Australia, Oral History and Folklore collection;

Index/Finding Aid Note Timed summary (6 p.) 
Subjects Bail, Leslie, - 1944- - Interviews.  |  Whale World (Albany, W.A.)  |  Cheynes Beach Whaling Company - History  |  Whaling - Western Australia - Albany - History.
Other Authors Borschmann, Gregg (Gregg John), 1955-
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Details Collect From
ORAL TRC 4998
Copy: Recording
Petherick Reading Room (Oral History)
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ORAL TRC 4998 (summary)
Copy: Summary
Petherick Reading Room (Oral History)
-