Vimala Thakar

Christine Elizabeth Townend, born in Melbourne in 1944, established herself as a significant figure in animal rights activism, art, and writing. Her literary career began in 1974 with a novel that is considered a precursor to Australian feminist literature. A pivotal journey to India in 1975 marked her dedication to animal welfare, leading her to found Animal Liberation in 1976, influenced by Peter Singer's work. She co-founded Animals Australia and was actively involved in politics and various animal welfare committees.

Townend spent many years in India, managing an animal shelter in Jaipur from 1990 to 2007 and establishing additional shelters. Her artistic endeavors also aimed to highlight animal welfare issues, with several solo exhibitions. Beyond her direct activism, she founded an NGO to fund Indian animal shelters and held leadership roles in prominent animal welfare organizations. Her contributions were recognized with an Order of Australia Medal in 2019.

Christine Townend dedicated a significant portion of her life to animal rights activism. Following a transformative trip to India in 1975, she became a prominent advocate, co-founding Animal Liberation in 1976 and Animals Australia (initially the Australian Federation of Animal Societies) in 1980 alongside Peter Singer. Her commitment extended to political involvement, running for election multiple times with the Australian Democrats and later on an environmental ticket. At various points, she held influential positions, including Secretary of the Australian and New Zealand Federation of Animal Societies and membership on advisory councils for animal welfare and ethics in research. She also established 'Working for Animals Inc.', an Australian non-governmental organization focused on fundraising for animal shelters in India.

Townend's creative output spanned both fiction and non-fiction, with a strong thematic focus on animal welfare and, later, Indian spirituality. Her debut novel in 1974 was recognized for its early contribution to feminist literature. Her non-fiction works delved into animal rights issues, such as 'In Defence of Living Things' and 'Pulling the Wool: A New Look at the Australian Wool Industry'. She also explored themes of Indian spirituality in later fictional works like 'The Hidden Master' and 'The Teaching of Vimala Thakar'. In addition to her writing, Townend was an accomplished artist, utilizing her five solo exhibitions to draw attention to the needs of animals. Her poetry collection, 'Walking with Elephants', was published in 2015, and her memoir, 'A Life for Animals', appeared in 2017.

A significant chapter of Christine Townend's life unfolded in India, where she relocated in 1990 to manage the 'Help in Suffering' animal shelter in Jaipur. She continued in this role until 2007. During her time at the Jaipur shelter, her dedication to animal welfare expanded, leading her to establish two additional animal shelters in Kalimpong and Darjeeling. Her experiences and work in India also influenced her writing, with books like 'The Hidden Master' and 'The Teaching of Vimala Thakar' reflecting an engagement with Indian spirituality and culture.