HE's dedicated his life to learning about wildlife in the area, and sharing his knowledge with others. He's also copped more snake bites then he cares to remember, and last weekend, Ian McArtney was honoured for his contribution to his community, being named as one of the city's Living Legends.
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Ian was one of seven Living Legends announced on Sunday, as part of the city's Proclamation Day ceremonies.
Ian along with Marie Billington, Barry Cubitt, Andrew Fletcher, Dr John Joseph Sandra, Ian Warren and Millie Watson were all honoured as part of the program.
The Living Legends project was introduced by Bathurst Regional Council back in 2015 as a Bicentenary initiative, with Mayor of Bathurst Graeme Hanger saying it was a way for the city to acknowledge outstanding members of the community for their dedication, determination, personality, work and contribution to the city.
"Living Legends contribute to the well being of Bathurst, benefiting the entire community and generating goodwill and this year's successful nominees reflect these traits."
Ian, a proud Wiradyuri man has spent years learning about the rich Wiradyuri culture surrounding the Bathurst region and has recorded locations of Aboriginal sites through archaeology and stone artifacts.
His entire life, he has pursued an interest in observing, documenting and raising awareness about reptiles and amphibians in the Bathurst Region, and educates others about native wildlife and fauna local to the area. His work has been published in the Australian Zoologist and other publications.
He also volunteers assisting with sick and injured wildlife relocating snakes and reptiles from backyards and homes.
As he received his award on Sunday, Ian said he was both flattered and humbled.
"I'm so honoured, when I found out about a month ago [he was receiving the award] I just couldn't believe it," he said.
"I thought I should say no, I still don't know I deserve it," he said.
He said he has always loved animals, and probably got into catching snakes as a kid.
"I was a bugger of a kid and always determined to do the thing people told me not to," he laughed.
"So if someone told me not to catch a snake, I'd do it as a dare."
"I've been bitten by so many snakes they told me I'm past my used by date," he laughed.
"I've had so many antivenins, I can't have any more."
Ian said he's been bitten about 20 times, of which four were really serious, including a bite from a Tiger snake, regarded as one of the deadliest snakes in Australia.
But he holds no resentment to the snakes.
"Every time I was bitten it was always my fault," he said.
He was told to give the snake catching away, which he did, to a point; although he still puts his own personal safety aside, if a snake is at risk.
"I'll only do it to save the snakes life," he said.
In Queensland last year he came across a Fierce Snake (Inland Taipan), which has the most toxic venom of any snake; one bite is enough to kill over 100 people.
This one he left alone.
"I had two thoughts, on the black market it's worth about two grand," he laughed.
"But if you get it wrong you've got about 10 minutes to live.... so I took a photo," he laughed.
His love for animals was also evident in his career as a ranger at Winburndale Dam and Sir Joseph Band Fauna Reserve, where he managed wildlife working for council for over 34 years.
His dedication was rewarded with the Jo Ross Award on Australia Day, 2018, for his work. At the time, he again expressed his surprise, saying "I'm sure there is a thousand other people who deserve this more than I do," he said.